PET PRIDE SANCTUARY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION, PART 1

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS
There are several volunteer positions at Pet Pride that involve working directly with the felines in our care. In addition to the basic job description for each position, the following are essential physical and mental capabilities for each position. Please review them carefully before completing this application.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to properly handle cats and small tools.
  • Quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (e.g., ability to open a cage door while properly holding a cat).
  • Ability to bend, squat, stand for significant periods of time and enter enclosures safely.
  • Average sense of smell and touch in order to assess the body condition of the cats and to note signs of illness or injury.
  • Ability to hear if a cat is growling or making sounds indicating fear or pain.
  • Ability to maneuver well in tight spaces and to react and move quickly in order to prevent cats from escaping.
  • Ability to quickly pursue and retrieve any cats who have escaped designated enclosures, and to use quick and quiet movements when approaching and retrieving escaped cats.
  • Ability to handle and restrain cats with extreme caution and care. This requires average vision, hearing, steadiness of hands and body, quick reflexes, physical strength and mental alertness.
  • Ability to judge cats’ reactions and change voice to a soft or strong tone in order to calm a cat or give commands.
  • Ability to reach cabinets, cages and storage shelves up to eight feet in height, using a step stool as needed.
  • Ability to push and carry containers of laundry, load and unload washer and dryer, and fold and put away clean laundry.
  • Ability to wash and put away dishes, operate microwave and retrieve items from a standard upright-model refrigerator/freezer.
  • Tolerance for strong and unpleasant odors and a noisy work environment.
MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Ability to understand, remember and follow instructions and procedures.
  • Ability to read, write, spell and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to understand words such as quarantine, isolation, zoonotic and other terms commonly used in animal care.
  • Ability to operate a moderately complex telephone system, pick up receivers, push buttons to place calls on hold and transfer, and communicate effectively over the telephone.
  • Ability to observe and report possible feline health and behavioral concerns that may be revealed during socialization.
  • Ability to remain alert to potentially dangerous situations when working with cats, to remain calm and confident with cats who are distressed, to show good judgment and to respond appropriately and with sensitivity in these situations.
  • Ability to understand Pet Pride’s policies and positions regarding companion animals and other key animal welfare issues and an ability and willingness to appropriately and accurately represent those policies when interacting with the public or otherwise representing Pet Pride.
  • Ability to function effectively in an emotionally charged environment with cats that are homeless, injured, abandoned and/or abused.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision once training has been completed.
  • Ability to recognize limitations in knowledge and abilities and to ask questions or request assistance when needed.
  • Ability to work independently for long periods of time, as well as to work cooperatively with other volunteers and staff.
I have read and understood the essential capabilities for volunteers and I am able to meet all of the requirements listed in the performance of volunteer duties for Pet Pride.

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