Volunteer Application & Forms

ACWP dba Summers County Humane Society Statement: Thank you for your interest in being a foster family. This service is extremely valuable to our organization and is greatly appreciated. The Animal Control and Welfare Project, Inc (ACWP, Inc) is a small, non-profit organization dedicated to the humane rescue and treatment of abused, neglected, and stray animals. ACWP does not have a shelter or sanctuary to house the wayward animals; we rely solely on our foster homes to keep animals until they can be placed in a permanent adoptive home or rescue. Without foster homes, ACWP would not have a functional rescue program. By providing an animal with a temporary home, you will be giving that animal another chance at life. Please briefly answer the following questions. At the end, you will be asked to carefully read and sign an agreement regarding this foster program.

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Personal Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone Number(Required)

Age(Required)

Please enter a number from 12 to 99.

Preferred Method of Contact(Required)

Phone Call

Text Message

Physical Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Mailing Address, if different than above:

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

OPTIONAL: Tell us a few sentences about yourself and why you would like to get involved with the Summers County Humane Society.

Are you interested in fostering dogs or puppies in your home? We provide all supplies and medical care.(Required)

Yes! I would love to speak with the foster coordinator.

No, thank you.

What other types of volunteer opportunities are you interested in? Check all that apply.(Required)

Driving dogs to the vet or to their forever homes

Fundraising or event support

Writing grants

Helping out at the Animal Control Facility (cleaning, walking dogs, etc.) - limited to volunteers aged 16+

Other

Other:(Required)

What types of animals do you have experience with? Check all that apply:(Required)

Adult dogs

Puppies

Adult cats

Kittens

Other

Other Animals:(Required)

Consent(Required)

By digitally signing below, I acknowledge that I have reviewed this Volunteer Handbook including all addendums and attachments relevant to my volunteer role, and agree to abide by the policies set forth by ACWP, Inc.

If you do not have a copy of the volunteer handbook, reach out to volunteer@acwp-wv.org for help.
In addition, I recognize this list of Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities:

ACWP Volunteer Rights:

1. The right to feel safe

One of the benefits of volunteering is that we can decide to intentionally leave our comfort zones in order to experience new and challenging situations, environments, or roles. However, there is a big difference between feeling off-center or uncomfortable and feeling at risk or unsafe. As a volunteer, you have the right to be apprised of any potential risks as well as have precautionary measures and safety procedures in place to ensure your physical and emotional well-being.

2. The right to information about your volunteer role or project

You have the right to know the who, what, when, why, and how of your volunteer position.

3. The right to feel valued

Volunteering—whether for two hours or two years—is a significant commitment that you choose to make. In return, you have the right to feel that your time and contribution—however long you've volunteered and whatever your task—is valued. Similarly, you have the right to feel that an organization or volunteer effort is using your skills and talents well (keeping in mind that they may not always have the capacity to take on some or all of your ideas or proposed projects) and that the work you do has meaning and makes a difference.

4. The right to negotiate your volunteer role

Find yourself in a volunteer position that just isn't working for you? You have the right to talk to the Program Lead or Board President to discuss ways you might be able to shift your role or take on another project or position. And if you still can't find a good fit…

5. The right to leave

…you have the right to leave. This isn't a decision that should be made hastily but, if after talking to and working with the Program Lead, you still feel unhappy, unappreciated, or unsatisfied with your volunteer experience, you do have the right to do something, or go somewhere, else.

ACWP Volunteer Responsibilities:

1. The responsibility to communicate your needs

Feel like your work isn't meaningful? Not what you thought you'd signed up for? Or just bored and ready for something else? Talk to the Program Lead, providing specifics about your dissatisfaction and at least a few suggestions of ways to make it better.

2. The responsibility to follow through on your obligations

Commit to doing what you say you'll do, whether it's honoring the volunteer role and schedule you'd agreed to, providing ample notice if you're unable to perform your tasks or responsibilities, saying no or stepping away from volunteering when necessary, or simply serving as a good representative of the organization in the community.

3. The responsibility to not promise what you can't deliver

By not following through with your promise, not only can you potentially hurt the reputation of the organization and undermine its work but, more importantly, you put other volunteers in an unfair position to make last minute arrangements. This can all be avoided by clear, honest communication.

4. The responsibility to take care of yourself

Last but most certainly not least, you have the responsibility to make sure that you aren't overextending yourself, burning out, or causing yourself physical, mental, or emotional harm by taking on roles that aren't a good fit or that you aren't prepared for. While some stress and burnout may be inevitable depending on the project, you can significantly limit it by seeking out support, taking a break (either as you're volunteering or stepping away from volunteering

altogether for a while), injecting some fun into your volunteer role, and having realistic expectations about what can be accomplished and when.

I agree.(Required)

Foster Family Questions

Thank you for your interest in being a foster family. This service is extremely valuable to our organization and is greatly appreciated. ACWP does not have a shelter or sanctuary to house the wayward animals; we rely solely on our foster homes to keep animals until they can be placed in a permanent adoptive home or rescue. Without foster homes, ACWP would not have a functional rescue program. By providing an animal with a temporary home, you will be giving that animal another chance at life. Please answer the following questions. At the end of this section, you will be asked to carefully read and certify your agreement regarding this foster program.

Number of Adults in Household(Required)

Number of Children in Household, and their ages(Required)

Do you rent or own your home?(Required)

Rent

Own

Whose name is on the Lease Agreement?(Required)

If you rent, what is your Landlord's name, phone number, and address?(Required)

If you rent, whose name is on the Lease Agreement?(Required)

Briefly describe your pets (dogs, cats, ages, etc.). If you do not have any of your own pets, put N/A.(Required)

Do your animals have all of their recommended core vaccines, including rabies?(Required)

Yes

Please describe the area or space in which you will keep the foster animal (indoors, outdoors, both, fenced area, doghouse, etc.):(Required)

Age of Animal you are interested in fostering:(Required)

Baby (less than 6 months)

Young (6 months - 1.5 years)

Adult (1.5 years to 6 years)

Senior (7+ years)

Gender of Animal you are interested in fostering:(Required)

Male

Female

No Preference

Are you able to take photos of the foster animals in your care and post them in our volunteer Facebook group?(Required)

Yes

Maybe, I will need support with this

Are you able to meet our driver in Hinton for periodic vet visits for your foster animal (typically Tuesday mornings at 7:30AM or Wednesday afternoons at 3PM)?(Required)

Yes

Maybe, I will need support with this

Foster Agreement:(Required)

Foster Agreement:
I/We understand that a foster person’s job is not easy. Animals require a lot of attention and time. Some animals may have special needs; they may not be housetrained, may have separation anxiety, or may need to be socialized.

It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks before an animal can be placed in a permanent home. I/We understand that there are no “extra” foster homes and I/we agree to foster the animal for as long as is necessary to either place the animal in a permanent home or rescue or until another foster home can be provided.

I/We further understand and agree that a foster animal, while physically in my/our custody, is not my/our animal. I am not free to medicate, give, keep, sell, or breed the animal without prior permission from ACWP.

I/We agree to hold harmless ACWP, Inc for any damage to person or property caused by an animal in my/our care. I/we understand that I/we are responsible for the actions of a foster animal in our care.

I/We understand that ACWP will provide as much support and information as possible about being a foster family and about individual animals. However, I/we understand that many of the animals may not have a documented history or behavioral analysis prior to entering the foster program. ACWP agrees to provide as much advanced notice as possible about foster animals, including when I/we might get an animal, any appointments (such as veterinarian) the animal might have, or when it might be moved to an alternate placement. Likewise, I/we agree to give ACWP foster coordinator advanced notice if I/we will be unable to keep an animal due to a prior commitment, such as a scheduled vacation.

By signing/submitting this document, I/we am/are agreeing to the terms and conditions of being an animal foster home.

I agree

Waiver and Release of Liability(Required)

In consideration of my use of the equipment and facilities provided by the organization, as well as all interactions with animals in the care of the organization, I expressly agree and contract, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, that the organization and its insurers, officers, directors, and associates, shall not be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries (including death) sustained by me, or my family or guests in, on, or within the community conducting organization business, or as a result of the use of the equipment or facilities, regardless of whether such injuries result, in whole or in part, from the negligence of the organization.

I agree.

By the execution of this agreement, I accept and assume full responsibility for any and all injuries, damages (both economic and non-economic), and losses of any type, which may occur to me or my family or guests, and I hereby fully and forever release and discharge the organization, its insurers, employees, officers, directors, and associates, from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or causes of action, present or future, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated, or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out the use of said equipment, facilities, or animals in care.(Required)

I agree.

I expressly agree to indemnify and hold the organization harmless against any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or causes of action, of any person or entity, that may arise from injuries or damages sustained by me, my family, or my guests.(Required)

I agree.

I agree to be solely responsible for safety and wellbeing of myself and those with me conducting organizational business. I understand that the organization does not always provide supervision, instruction, or assistance for the care or use of any animal, facilities, or equipment.(Required)

I agree.

I agree to comply with all rules imposed by the organization regarding the treatment of all animals, facilities and equipment. I agree to conduct myself in a controlled and reasonable manner at all times, and to refrain from behaving in a manner inconsistent with its intended design and purpose. I understand and acknowledge that the care of stray, surrendered, or abused/neglected animals involves risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death.(Required)

I agree.

I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTED THIS DOCUMENT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTENT.(Required)

I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTED THIS DOCUMENT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTENT.

I agree.

Confidentiality Agreement(Required)

This agreement is made between the "VOLUNTEER" filling out this form and ACWP, Inc.
Volunteer may perform services for ACWP that may require ACWP to disclose confidential and proprietary information ("Confidential Information") to Volunteer. (Confidential Information is information and data of any kind concerning any matters affecting or relating to ACWP, members of the community, and/or the plans, processes, or other data of ACWP not generally known or available outside of the organization.)

Accordingly, to protect the Confidential Information that will be disclosed during the term of volunteer services, the Volunteer agrees as follows:

A. Volunteer will hold the Confidential Information received from ACWP in strict confidence and will exercise a reasonable degree of care to prevent disclosure to others.

B. Volunteer will not disclose or divulge either directly or indirectly the Confidential Information to others unless first authorized to do so in writing by ACWP Board of Directors.

C. Volunteer will not reproduce the Confidential Information nor use this information commercially or for any purpose other than the performance of his/her duties for ACWP.

D. Volunteer will, upon request or upon termination of his/her relationship with ACWP deliver to ACWP any notes, documents, equipment, and materials received from ACWP or originating from employment with ACWP.

E. ACWP reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for violations of this agreement in addition to pursuing civil or criminal penalties.

F. This agreement will be interpreted under and governed by the laws of the state of West Virginia

G. All provisions of this agreement will be applicable only to the extent that they do not violate any applicable law and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable. If any provision of this agreement or any application thereof will be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of other provisions of this agreement or of any other application of such provision will in no way be affected thereby.

Volunteer represents and warrants that he or she is not under any pre-existing obligations inconsistent with the provisions of this agreement.

I agree.

Signature(Required)

Your Name
Your Name
Your Name

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