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Volunteer Information So, you've decided you want to set aside some time each week or month to volunteer at the R-H SPCA? By becoming a Pet Socializer, you can help us improve the quality of life and adoptability of the pets awaiting their lifetime home. Volunteer Policy The Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA welcomes the public to visit our pets any time during our regular hours of operation. While we welcome visitors, those who are not planning to adopt are not permitted to remove the animals from their kennels/cages. Disease is always an issue in shelter environments, therefore, we must limit direct contact with animals to those who are serious about adoption, staff and trained volunteers. Your compliance with this policy is appreciated. Requirements for volunteering at the shelter are as follows: * Must be at least 16 years of age The Basic Volunteer Orientation class covers the shelter’s policies and procedures, as well as health and safety issues. Those who attend the class will be provided with a handbook to take home as a reference tool. The shelter has a regular schedule for volunteers that must be adhered to in order to allow staff the time it takes to properly care for our pets. There are shifts daily, except on Sunday and major holidays when the shelter is closed to the public. Visit the Orientation page of this website for class dates and registration information. Pre-registration is required, as seating is limited. Please be aware that pet socialization does not qualify for court-ordered community service. If you need to serve court-ordered hours, please call the shelter at 434-5270 to arrange your schedule. You will be asked for the following information: First & last name, phone number, number of hours needed, when they will have to be turned in, and what your offense is. Be prepared to answer these questions when you call, and know that there are some offenses that we can't accept for community service due to the nature of our work. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Interest Groups The Rockingham – Harrisonburg SPCA works closely with the community to provide volunteer opportunities for individuals with special needs. Organizations such as the Op Shop, Summit House and Pleasant View, Inc. provide us with many hours of service annually. Because we want to welcome these groups, we sometimes make exceptions to the regularly scheduled volunteer hours on and as-needed basis. If clients/patients of these organizations need to provide service during off-hours, prior arrangements must be made. Community organizations that would like to have their clients/patients volunteer at the shelter must see to it that any staff supervising their residents/clients receive the proper training. It is also advisable that the clients themselves attend a workshop whenever possible, with agency staff determining who should attend. Regular sessions are offered monthly, however, if the agency prefers, a private class can and will be provided. To arrange and orientation for your staff and residents, please contact Candy Barnes, Humane Educator at 540-434-5270 or by email at humane@rhspca.org. |
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