Wright-Way Rescue Volunteer Handbook

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Wright-Way Rescue Staff Directory Adoption Center

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Morton Grove, IL

Executive Director and Founder……………………………..……

Christy Anderson

Director of Development …………………………………………

Lisa Aiken

Director of Operations & Public Relations ………………….…..

Shelby Walchuk

Director of Marketing & Communications ………………….......

Jacoby Duckworth

Office Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator …......

Amy Blevins

Adoption Center Supervisor………………………………….......

Nichole Cardamon

Animal Health and Welfare………………………………….........

Cathy Anderson

Animal Health and Welfare Associate ……………....................

Debbie Racey

Retail Supervisor ……………………………………………..........

Todd Anderson

Volunteer Coordinator……………………………………….........

Shelby Walchuk

Volunteer Educator…………………………………………..........

Lindsay Gluth

Dog Training………………………………………………….........

Cindy Frendreis

Office Staff……………………………………………………........

Christine Berkheimer Ryan Donnelly Lindsay Gluth

Adoption Counselors………………………………………..........

Cathy Anderson Donna Wurz

Kennel Technicians…………………………………………...........

Jason Abbas Kimberly Bergman Liz Guerrero Ashley Konczal Misty McDorman

wright-way rescue History and Success 2003

Wright-Way Rescue officially started in 2003 in response to the overwhelming number of adoptable animals being euthanized in rural animal control facilities. We ease the burden of these animal control establishments by visiting their facilities and saving adoptable dogs and cats that are at risk of being put to sleep. These animals are then readied for adoption at our Admissions & Care Center in southern Illinois and later transported to our Adoption Center in northern Illinois. The headquarters of Wright-Way Rescue are located in Murphysboro, IL. Our Adoption Center is located in Morton Grove, IL, a suburb bordering Northwest Chicago.

2004

The idea of moving animals from rural populations to urban ones is not a new concept. However, our Admissions & Care Center in southern Illinois provides a unique opportunity for animals to be prepared for adoption before ever arriving at our Adoption Center in Morton Grove. To our knowledge, this is the first program of its kind in the Midwest. In 2004, after just one year of operation, we provided 800 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens with shelter, spay/ neuter surgeries, and adoptive homes.

Since then, we have grown and have given a second chance at life to approximately 4,500 animals yearly through our busy adoption program.

2006

In 2006 we purchased a 3.5-acre facility in southern Illinois which has been renovated to provide state-of-the-art sheltering for animals awaiting homes.

2008

The Adoption Center in Niles, IL was added in 2008. This center experienced terrific growth and popularity in the community.

2013

In 2013 we were on track to save the lives of 5,000 animals, our most successful year yet, when a shocking accident occurred: a school bus crashed through the front facade of the Niles Adoption Center. We are grateful that no animals or people were harmed in the crash, though our Center was destroyed.

2014

After just 10 months of nearly round-the-clock planning, fundraising, and renovating, Wright-Way Rescue welcomed a new chapter in August 2014 with the opening of its new Adoption Center in Morton Grove, IL.

The support of our adopters, animal welfare foundations, and donors has enabled WrightWay Rescue to expand our operation and grow to be the organization we are today. When Wright-Way began its operation in 2003, we employed two individuals and rented an office building/warehouse in Crab Orchard, IL. We now employ approximately 30 employees ranging from veterinarians, a senior management team, supervisors, veterinary technicians, animal care providers, trainers, adoption counselors, and office staff. Wright-Way Rescue employees, volunteers, foster families, and interns help make our mission statement come alive through their teamwork, commitment, dedication, and partnership. Together we provide our adopters with the superior customer care and long-term relationships that define Wright-Way’s adoption experience.

The entire staff and volunteer team at Wright-Way Rescue play an integral part in making our vision of distinctive quality and unparalleled customer service a reality. This, simply put, equals more adoptive homes for our pets and a step towards helping the overwhelming number of homeless animals in shelters today.

Wright-Way Rescue’s Mission Wright-Way Rescue is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to reduce the number of homeless pets euthanized in the Midwest each year through an adoption program, community education, promotion of spaying and neutering, and a veterinary medicine program. We continue to save pets from rural animal control facilities where they are at a high risk of euthanasia, and instead offer them a second chance at a loving home in the Chicagoland area. We place more dogs in adoptive homes than any other no-kill rescue in the State of Illinois on just 10% of the budget.

Thank you for being a part of o u r history in the making

Requirements Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Junior volunteers, ages 15-17, may volunteer with limited responsibilities after obtaining management approval and providing parental consent.

See below for a list of junior volunteer opportunities.

Children 14 years and under are welcome to participate in monthly Family Service Nights, occasional special events, and various projects throughout the year.

We kindly ask our volunteers to pledge a minimum commitment of 6 hours per month for the first 6 months with us. This commitment allows you to establish a routine, to form a relationship with staff and other volunteers, and to build confidence in the tasks you are performing.

All volunteers must fill out a volunteer application online, attend a volunteer interview, and schedule a training session for each task.

Volunteer Positions We at Wright-Way Rescue want your volunteer experience to be positive and meaningful. For this reason we allow volunteers to select the tasks that most appeal to them and most align with their experience, interest, abilities, and skills. Below is a list of basic volunteer positions.

All new volunteers will begin to train in one of these areas of specialization: •

First Impressions — front desk greeter

•

Soapy Suites — kennel cleaning

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Cuddle Cats — cat/kitten care and socialization

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Happy Trails — dog walking

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Sit. Stay. Speak! — office phones

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Bins & Tins * — donation sorting

•

Pawsatively Clean * — cleaning X-pens

•

Watch Dawgs * — dog/cat suite attendants

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Splish Splash * — washing bowls, toys, and laundry

•

Family Service Night*

•

Handy Helper * — office tasks

Please note: Junior volunteers may only volunteer in positions marked with an asterisk (*).

Thank you for your cooperation with this policy.

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The following are advanced positions that require special training and management approval: • Meet & Greet — handling dogs/cats, showing to potential adopters • Puurfect Purchases — retail • Homeward Bound — adoption counseling and check-outs

Request for Additional Assignments Volunteers interested in training for new tasks or advancing to new roles must fill out a Request for Additional Assignments form. This form is available at the volunteer station or through the Volunteer Coordinator or Volunteer Educator. Volunteers must obtain the signature of a staff member as evidence of management approval before advancing.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities • Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics - Assist guests in obtaining high quality, low-cost veterinary care for their dog or cat.

• Foster - Save the life of a pet who may need some extra TLC before being ready for adoption.

• Special Events - Help Wright-Way Rescue raise the funds it needs by participating in one of our many yearly special events ranging from car washes to 5K runs.

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Shifts • Schedule your volunteer shift online at wright-wayrescue.org/volunteers.

• If you need to adjust the hours of your shift, please indicate the modification after your name, e.g., Suzy Smith - arriving at 8:45 a.m.

• Please only sign up for shifts that you are certain you can make. Keep in mind that new volunteers must log a minimum of 6 hours a month for the first 6 months. Volunteers who do not maintain this commitment, or those who habitually skip or cancel their shifts, may be dismissed from the volunteer program.

• If an emergency arises or you need to cancel for whatever reasons, please do so as soon as possible on the sign-up page so that the time slot is available for someone else.

Alternately, you may email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@wright-wayrescue.org.

Please keep it in mind that we rely on our volunteers so your presence is important!

When To Volunteer Wright-Way Rescue’s hours of operation are: Tuesday - Friday: 12:00-8:00 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: 11:00 am - 4:00 p.m.

Monday: Closed

Weekdays tend to have less traffic than the weekends. If you want a more relaxed, slowerpaced environment, weekdays may be the best choice for you. It’s recommended that new volunteers try to come in during the week for their first few shifts.

Weekends are our busiest time. This extends from Friday through Sunday afternoon. Interaction with the public will be significant during this time. Senior volunteers are encouraged to come especially on weekends.

Off-hours Early morning and evening shifts include walking, feeding, cleaning kennels, doing laundry, and washing dishes. There is little interaction with the public during this time. If you are trained for one of the above tasks and have the availability, please consider coming in during off-hours to help out: Early morning shifts: 8:00-11:00 a.m.

Evening shifts: 8:00-9:00 p.m. weekdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. weekends

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Checking In/Out • Upon arrival, please sign-in at the volunteer station and record the date and start time of your shift • Before leaving, please sign-out and record the end of your shift

Dress Code • Volunteers are required to purchase a Wright-Way Rescue VOLUNTEER t-shirt. This t-shirt must be worn when volunteering.

• Khaki colored pants, with no holes, should be worn. Shorts are not allowed.

• Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction (no sandals/flip-flops, high heels, etc.)

• Scrubs will be provided for volunteers cleaning kennels.

Media Inquiries All media personnel and inquiries should be directed to the Director of Public Relations, Shelby Walchuk, at shelby.walchuk@wright-wayrescue.org. You are a highly valued volunteer, but not an official spokesperson for Wright-Way Rescue. To ensure that we are communicating a consistent and accurate message at all times, volunteers are prohibited from speaking to the media on behalf of Wright-Way Rescue.

volunteers we simply couldn’t

do it without you

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Safety First The top priority of Wright-Way Rescue is maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all animals and humans, and also preventing the spread of disease and germs.

• When in doubt, wash your hands. Sanitation should always be your primary concern regardless of what activity you are taking part in.

• Protect yourself. Do not put yourself in a dangerous situation. Remember: staff members will handle any ill or aggressive pets. If ever you should feel uncomfortable or unable to perform a task, let someone on staff know immediately.

• Listen. It is important to always follow instructions given to you by staff or senior volunteers.

• Use good judgement. Do not give treats when there are two older puppies or two adult dogs in one enclosure.

• Communicate.

- Report any injury, to an animal or person, to the manager on duty immediately.

- Never try to break up an animal fight. Notify a staff member immediately.

- If you are unsure about something, ask.

• Be aware. Read all signage posted that relates to your tasks.

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Top Ten Things for Volunteers to Consider

1. The health and well being of Wright-Way Rescue animals is a top priority.

2. Wright-Way Rescue insists that all guests be treated in a professional and positive manner reflective of our organization (no matter what).

3. You will most likely be asked to help with a multitude of tasks. Every day at the Adoption Center is different. You always have the right to deny any task based on physical ability and/or comfort level.

4. At some point, you might become attached to a pet. Please know that this is normal and that your commitment and care towards this pet will make a difference to the adopter.

5. If you have young, old, or unvaccinated pets at home, you should speak to a manager regarding basic precautions to keep them healthy.

6. It is important to follow all safety rules and guidelines as instructed during your training session and posted on signs throughout the Adoption Center.

7. Wright-Way Rescue welcomes the suggestions of our volunteers. Some of our best practices have been first suggested by volunteers.

8. It is helpful for volunteers to become familiar with basic information about Wright-Way Rescue (e.g. operating hours, mission, upcoming events, etc.) Consider following us on Facebook or browsing our website to stay up-to-date on all things Wright-Way.

9. Wright-Way Rescue is committed to being a good neighbor. Please pick up after any mess made by dogs outside immediately.

10. Wright-Way Rescue values your time! Thank you for volunteering to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets.

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Volunteer Code of Conduct As a volunteer representing Wright-Way Rescue, the manner in which you conduct yourself and interact with staff, other volunteers, animals, and the public is expected to always be professional and courteous. Additionally, you are expected to always act in the best interest of any of the animals in residence at Wright-Way. By volunteering, you are pledging to carry out, to the best of your abilities, the tasks which you have pledged to perform.

Should a volunteer display behavior that is unprofessional, or dishonest, or should he or she demonstrate a lack of respect or self-discipline, the volunteer will be asked to leave the facility.

Such conduct may be grounds for dismissal from the volunteer program.

The following behaviors will not be tolerated: • Abusive language towards a staff member, volunteer, animal, or guest • Possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs on Wright-Way’s property or reporting to the program while under the influence of drugs or alcohol • Bringing onto Wright-Way’s property dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons, or other similar items • Discourtesy, harassment, intimidation, or rudeness to any staff member, volunteer, animal, or guest • Verbal, physical, or visual harassment of any staff member, volunteer, animal, or guest • Actual or threatened violence toward any staff member, volunteer, animal, or guest • Violation, destruction, or theft of any physical property, equipment, supplies, or funds • Conduct endangering the life, safety, health, or well-being of any staff member, volunteer, animal, or guest • Failure to follow any Wright-Way Rescue policy or procedure • Failure to cooperate with a supervisor/manager/volunteer coordinator

As a Wright-Way Rescue volunteer, I pledge to: • Support the mission and goals of Wright-Way Rescue • Approach all tasks with caution and sound judgement • Recognize my physical limitations and ask for help when needed • Practice patience, kindness, and respect with all animals and individuals • Whenever possible, correct misrepresentations or inaccuracies about Wright-Way Rescue

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thank you for becoming a wright-way volunteer!

Wright-Way Rescue 5915 Lincoln Avenue Morton Grove, IL 60053 (847) 728-5434

wright-wayrescue.org