• Pick up, complete and return a volunteer application / waiver form from Lucky Dog.
• Please attend one of our orientation meetings scheduled monthly or make an appointment to become familiar with tasks and rules before beginning your service.
• An adult must accompany all children under 16 years of age during volunteer service, unless otherwise arranged.
• Appropriate clothing should be worn; jeans, tennis shoes, etc. No dangling jewelry, open-toed shoes, shorts, dresses, or suggestive/offensive attire will be allowed.
• Follow all safety rules as posted or instructed by staff. Failure to do so will result in loss of volunteering privileges.
• Observe and follow suggestions on cat and dog handling. This is a training facility and there are certain ways we wish things done.

• Grooming and playing with the cats in the cat room; rotating cats for play time out of their kennels
• Walking and playing with the dogs in the dog parks
• Cleaning – animal dishes, laundry, sweeping, litter boxes, kennels, etc.
• Assistance on adoption days at PetSmart and local venues
• Help with fundraiser events, parades, fair booths, etc.
• Working with the dogs in obedience classes to improve their manners for adoptive homes

We really appreciate any time that can be given to help our four legged friends while they wait for their new homes!

Please follow your set schedule. If you cannot work one day or you would like to work extra hours, please call to arrange the schedule change.

Please sign in and out on the Time Sheet. This will be utilized to help us qualify for grants. The more hours logged and the more volunteers accounted for, the more dollar value we can ask in the grants.

Do not leave Lucky Dog premises when walking the animals.

You must close doors and gates behind you at all times. Even if you think it is closed, check it again!

Be observant of an animal’s behaviors and lack of training. If there is any doubt about your ability to handle a certain animal, leave it alone or get help.

Observe rules that involve disinfecting your hands and shoes to prevent the spread of disease:

• Wash your hands after handling animals and before consuming human food.
• Wash your hands in between handling different animals; especially when handling animals that are ill. Refrain from handling sick animals unless directed to by shelter staff.
• Step in the bleach bath every time you leave a room.

Pound dogs are not allowed to use the agility equipment in Park One. Many are not old enough; none have been trained to use that equipment, creating a high probability of injury. Volunteers should also refrain from using the equipment.

Before entering a dog park with an animal, make sure the park is empty and not being used by boarding, training, or client dogs.

Courteously ‘pick up’ after the dog you are handling when using the dog parks or walking the dog on the premises. When working with an animal, make sure it has access to clean water while out in the park or when returned to its kennel.

Should an accidental meeting of two aggressive dogs lead to a fight, do not try to break up the fight on your own. Yell, shout, or scream for help! Do NOT attempt to break up a fight by grabbing the dogs’ collars.

When guiding one dog past another, whether it is in a kennel or with another person, do not allow the dogs to sniff each other or interact. Keep the dogs to the outside, handler(s) to the inside, between the dogs. .

Do not handle cats, kittens, dogs, or puppies by the scruff of the neck. This can result in serious injury. Use a collar and leash or a towel.

Report to a staff member any lumps, sores, dental problems, wounds, vomiting, blood, parasites, etc. that you observe on an animal.

Never strike out at a dog or cat with your feet or hands. Do not chase or corner animals if they are loose. Kneel down and call them to you; try to snag a collar or catch the animal with a loop leash. Yell for help as needed. Move slowly and non-aggressively.

Do not squat, sit on the ground, or lie down around a dog you do not know. This is submissive or questioning behavior to a dog. An aggressive dog might engage you in dominant play or other inappropriate behavior.

Do not play chase or tug games with the animals. Do not encourage animals to jump up on you.

Do not allow a dog to take your hand or arm in their mouth, even in play. A dog that is allowed to mouth in play often develops the habit of nipping when he becomes over excited.

When you return a dog to his kennel, give the command ‘kennel’, followed by the dog’s name. Reward with a ‘good dog’ as the dog enters the kennel. Remove the leash only after the dog is inside the kennel.

Do not allow a dog to charge through a doorway or to jump on a closed door. Approach the door and tell the dog to ‘sit’. Reward with a ‘good dog’ and his name after the dog sits. Require the dog to remain sitting as you open the door. You may walk through the doorway together, or you may require the dog to remain sitting while you walk through first. If the dog charges through, go back and start the process over again.

If the dog is a ‘jumper’, block him with your knee or elbow and say ‘Off!’ in a firm voice.

When walking a dog, the dog should always be at your left side, in line with your hip. Coach the dog by using the word ‘heel’ to help him learn this is the position where you want him to walk. If you feel that you need to wrap the leash around your waist to give yourself more control, ask a staff member about using a gentle leader or pinch collar.

Any time you feel the dog is taking over control (pulling, lunging, etc.) stop and don’t start again until you have settled the dog. This may mean only moving one step at a time until the dog is working with you.

Do not allow a dog to grab a treat or toy out of your hand. If you are offering a treat and he grabs it, correct that behavior with a firm ‘No”. Have the dog sit and offer the next treat in the palm of your hand with your fingers flat, while giving the command ‘gentle’ or ‘take it nice’. Be observant of any signs on the kennels of dogs on special diets or that are not allowed certain treats. It is very important that you follow these guidelines for the animal’s health. Do not offer boarding, daycare or training dogs treats without asking permission first.