Ark-Valley Humane Society Volunteer Handbook. Welcome and Background

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1 1 Ark-Valley Humane Society Volunteer Handbook Welcome and Background Welcome to the Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) Volunteer Program. When you join our volunteers you become part of a compassionate group of people who bring comfort to and enrich the lives of homeless pets. AVHS has two facilities, the primary shelter in Buena Vista (1995) and the satellite Sunshine Shelter (2011) in Poncha Springs. The Buena Vista shelter offers all services for dogs and cats plus the pet crematory for Chaffee County. The AVHS Sunshine Shelter is primarily for cats. Only dogs that are surrendered or impounded in Salida or Poncha Springs are held for five days at Sunshine for reclaim and health observation. Dogs not reclaimed by an owner are transported to the main shelter in Buena Vista for adoption. Volunteers assist the staff with animal care and other work in both facilities. AVHS Web Page On your browser go to There you will find information on everything Ark-Valley, including adoptable dogs and cats. Click on volunteer and you will find everything related to volunteers, including this Handbook. Please go to our Facebook page (search Ark-Valley Humane Society) and Like us. It s a great way to keep current on what s happening at AVHS! We Need You As a volunteer, you are part of our team of committed and compassionate staff members and volunteers who help maintain the No Kill shelter that serves Chaffee County; in particular, by caring for the needs of homeless dogs and cats while keeping their spirits up for adoption. Thank you for choosing to participate in our program; you are tremendously valuable to our organization. Our No Kill shelter could not exist humanely without the help of volunteers. This handbook has been created as an information guide for you. In it you will find our mission, history, policies, procedures, and guidelines intended to help you meet both AVHS goals and your goals as a volunteer. Our Mission The Ark-Valley Humane Society, Inc, is a 501 (c) (3) private, non-profit, animal welfare organization. AVHS is devoted to returning lost animals to their owners and to finding homes for owner relinquished animals while providing compassionate care while they are with us.. AVHS strives to be a model No Kill animal shelter by: A. Maintaining a compassionate No Kill animal shelter for all homeless, lost and unwanted pets without regard for time or space. B. Reducing the number of unwanted pets through spay/neuter programs. C. Connecting homeless pets and adoptive homes. D. Offering support services for the prevention of cruelty to animals. E. Presenting public education for responsible pet ownership

2 2 Contact Information AVHS Sunshine Shelter US Hwy 50, Poncha Springs, CO PHONE: FAX: AVHS Buena Vista Facility 701 Gregg Dr, Buena Vista, CO (Mailing address: PO Box 1335) PHONE: FAX: WEBSITE: Volunteer Goals of the Volunteer Program To provide enrichment to shelter animals, a crucial element of No Kill sheltering. To assist staff with cleaning, animal care, maintenance, special projects, events, public education. To foster litters of puppies and kittens, as well as special needs animals, which helps to prevent overcrowding at the shelters. To assist staff and Board members with tasks that require special expertise or additional hands. To provide ambassadors for AVHS in the community. Note: How to deal with the urge to take ALL the animals home You just can t do it! No one can. There will always be more. Your work contributes to enriching the lives of the animals at the shelter. We need you at the shelter! Steps to Becoming a Volunteer for AVHS Please note that volunteers must be 7 years of age or older. Volunteer applications for volunteers younger than 18 years must have a parent or legal guardian signature. Youths ages 7 through 13 are eligible to volunteer with a parent, legal guardian, or trusted family friend. Volunteers, aged 14 through 17 are eligible to volunteer without parental supervision but must have a parent/guardian signature on the liability waiver. Because AVHS cannot provide supervision, children younger than 7 may not volunteer with AVHS, though they may visit animals for adoption under the supervision of parents or a responsible adult. 1. Complete the Volunteer Application Form available at the AVHS website or in an AVHS office. 2. Sign up for Volunteer Orientation, Part I. If possible read the Volunteer Handbook before orientation from the Ark-Valley.org website. 3. Volunteer Orientations Part I are normally held every other Sunday at 3 pm. At this time you will be given an identification badge to wear when at AVHS. You will be asked to set up your time sheet to sign in and out. You will schedule your first volunteer session with a staff member.

3 3 4. Orientation, Part II. If you volunteer for animal enrichment or to assist staff in Buena Vista or Poncha Springs facilities, you will spend your first volunteer hours shadowing a staff member or senior volunteer who will show you procedures relative to the work you will be doing. If you volunteer to foster you will be specially trained by a staff member. Volunteer Training Programs 1. Orientation I: overview of policies, guidelines, operations, and programs; tour of the facility. 2. Orientation II: scheduled shadowing session with a staff member with dogs and/or cats, 3. Shelter dog training sessions are offered on Saturdays. Sessions last about one and one half hours and run for five to six weeks. Learn how to teach basic commands like sit and down using words and signals consistent with staff and other volunteers. At the same time you will be helping shelter dogs to become more adoptable. 4. Orientation to the Shelter Pet Parent program is provided at Orientation I or by request. 5. Foster Care Orientation is provided as needed, on an individual basis, by the staff responsible. 6. Dog Play Groups: Every day staff and volunteers bring dogs outside together for play and social learning. These groups require monitoring and volunteer help. To participate, volunteers must be trained. If you are interested, inquire about becoming involved. Shelter History In November of 1990 a handful of people gathered for the meeting that would result in the founding of AVHS as an organization in Before that time, Chaffee County strays were kept in a few kennels in an unheated garage for unspecified periods of time. In 1992 Buena Vista gave AVHS two acres that had been donated to it by a citizen. This became the current Buena Vista facility where ground breaking occurred in July, 1992; construction progressed thanks to fundraising, grants, donated resources and volunteer energy and talent. Inmates from the Buena Vista correctional facility did most of the construction while many volunteers quietly worked to complete and landscape the facility. In 1995, AVHS opened its doors. Isolation facilities for new or ill animals were added in The beginnings of AVHS were entirely volunteer organized and staffed. As it has grown AVHS has hired paid staff. However, volunteers continue to supplement the staff in caring for animals and all the other work required to keep AVHS functioning and successful. In March of 2011, AVHS opened its satellite facility, the AVHS Sunshine Shelter, in Poncha Springs. The log cabin, together with adjacent land, was donated to AVHS in 1995 by Doc and Marisabel Pruitt. The Sunshine Shelter was constructed to provide

4 4 services to south Chaffee County residents plus provide for the growing need for space for homeless cats. For several years overflow shelter cats had been housed in a temporary trailer located at the main facility in Buena Vista. In addition, Mountain Shadows Animal Hospital--a veterinary clinic in Salida-- served as the stray impound facility for the Salida area. Sunshine Shelter relieves Mountain Shadows of this work. AVHS is the sole animal shelter in Chaffee County, contracted with the county to take in all its stray dogs and cats. The shelter also takes in pets relinquished by their owners. The shelter is private and not managed by law enforcement or government. AVHS is supported by fees for services, fund raising events, private donations, estate gifts, foundation grants, and, most generously, by the Mill Levy passed by Chaffee County in Currently AVHS sees and cares for approximately 800 animals each year, with 500 adopted and the rest reclaimed or transferred. From the beginning AVHS has been a No Kill shelter: At Ark-Valley we define No Kill as follows: Ark-Valley Humane Society is an open-admission shelter that saves all healthy and treatable animals and never euthanizes an animal for reasons of time or space while aiming to maintain a Live Release Rate of 95% or above. Ark-Valley never turns away a homeless pet. Ark-Valley tracks and publishes its Live Release Rate annually. AVHS decides to euthanize only if an animal is too sick to be treated or too human aggressive to be suitable for adoption. In 2010 AVHS saved 98% of the animals that it took in. Volunteers brought AVHS into existence; and volunteers, working alongside staff, continue to make it possible to care physically and emotionally for abandoned animals until they are adopted. AVHS Services to Chaffee County 1. AVHS provides a physically and emotionally sustaining environment for strays and animals removed by law enforcement (impound facility) or found by the public and for surrendered dogs/cats from private individuals 2. AVHS prepares and offers dogs and cats for adoption to the public. 3. Low-income pet owners are provided low and no-cost spay/neuter options. 4. AVHS provides no-interest pet assistance loans for Chaffee County pet owners facing unexpected vet medical expenses or who need assistance with pet rental deposits. 5. AVHS offers a feral spay/neuter program for cats: free spay/neuter, vaccination, and ear-tipping for identification. 6. AVHS provides humane education.

5 5 7. The only pet crematory in Chaffee County is located at the AVHS facility in Buena Vista. AVHS maintains this service for a fee for private pet owners and veterinary clinics. 8. Pet Surrender and Impounds: Private individuals relinquish their animals to AVHS for a variety of reasons. AVHS takes a surrendered animal as soon as there is room. Sometimes there is a short waiting list. Space is always made to take strays and animals impounded by legal authorities. Isolation Period: Whether the animals come to AVHS as strays or surrenders, they are held for three to five days in isolation kennels for reclaiming and observation. Upon completion of the isolation period an animal is temperament assessed according to AVHS standards for human aggression, dog and cat aggression, suitability for a home with young children, etc. Medical care is provided as needed, including spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and micro-chipping. Adoption: One of the most important functions of AVHS is to provide the community with adoptable animals. After completing the isolation period, appropriate medical care, and temperament testing, the animal becomes available for adoption. It is moved to an adoption kennel; a written profile with picture is posted on the AVHS website, on purebred rescue group websites when applicable, and on Petfinder.com. People come from all over Colorado and even out of state to adopt animals. AVHS staff members are responsible for all aspects of the public adoption process from introductions to the final paper work and fees. Volunteers refer to an animal s kennel card to answer basic questions posed by visitors; volunteers may be asked by staff to discuss an animal that they know from experience. AVHS staff members who are trained in adoption procedures process adoptions, provide all information known on behavior and answer animal behavior related questions, and offer support and advice to adopters. Organizational Structure Board of Directors - Oversees General Direction of AVHS (EYES- ENVISIONS) Executive Director - Oversees Shelter Services & Programs (BRAIN- PLANS) Operations Manager - Manages Work of Staff, Shelter Volunteers and Community Service Workers to Provide Shelter Services (Intake, Animal Care & Adoption) (BODY- KEEPS AVHS FUNCTIONAL) Operations Coordinators- provide and enhance Shelter Services, in specialized areas such as Volunteer Coordination, Public Relations, Foster Care and Transfer Coordination. Animal Care Technician (ACT) - Provides Shelter Services (Intake, Animal Care, Adoption) & Supervises Work of Volunteers and Community Service Workers (BODY- KEEPS AVHS FUNCTIONAL) Grant Writer - Obtains Grant Funding for Programs and Operations Volunteer.)- Provides Animal Care (LEGS- SUPPORTS OPERATIONS) Senior Volunteer - Provides Volunteer Training (LEGS- SUPPORTS OPERATIONS) Project Volunteer - Assists Project Leader (LEGS- SUPPORTS OPERATIONS, PROGRAMS, ED OR BOARD)

6 6 Community Service Worker - Functions as Kennel Assistant Volunteer Reporting Structure: Board of Directors- Responsible for policy and fiscal health of AVHS. Executive Director - Reports to Board of Directors Operations Manager - Reports to Executive Director Operations Coordinator Reports to Operations Manager Grants - Reports to Executive Director Animal Care Techs (ACT) - Report to Ops Manager Volunteers/Community Service Workers - Report to ACT assigned to designated area Project Volunteers/Community Service Workers - Report to designated Project Leader (may be staff person, board member, or committee chair) Volunteer Opportunities 1. Animal Enrichment Because AVHS never euthanizes an animal for space or length of time until adoption, some of our animals live for weeks or even months at the shelter. Stimulation and compassionate interaction with staff and volunteers supplement the physical care these animals need to remain in good physical and emotional health. As domestic companion animals, dogs and cats crave human interaction. Cat Socializing: The AVHS goal is that every cat has human interaction every day for at least 20 minutes. TLC dry erase cards are posted on each kennel as a way for volunteers and staff to communicate about which cat needs TLC. Volunteers can cuddle, massage, play with, and groom a cat as well as socialize with the kittens in the nursery. Cats crave attention and need socialization. They are kept in indoor kennels, but are rotated, with buddies when possible, into a play area during the day. Basic elements of cat handling will be covered while you shadow a staff member or senior volunteer during your first volunteer hours. Dog Socializing: The AVHS goal is that every dog interacts with volunteers for at least two of the activities on the TLC card every day. These TLC dry erase cards are posted on each kennel as a way for volunteers to communicate about which dog still needs TLC. All of the dogs need cuddle time, training, grooming (bath), walks, exercise, and massage. Staff members record all TLC cards at the end of each day. Dog walks are easily combined with cuddle time and training. All the adoptable dogs are kept in outdoor kennels during the day until 11am. They are assigned buddy groups to play together in the large yards throughout the day. Join the dog(s) in the yard to play ball or train. Walking on leash provides stimulation, exercise, and opportunities for basic training like not pulling on leash and sit. Several miles of trails extend south from the AVHS facility to the mesa with its views of the mountains. You may spot a herd of antelope there. Basic elements of dog handling will be covered while you shadow a staff member or senior volunteer during your first volunteer hours.

7 7 Dogs Meeting other Dogs: a Stressful Situation to be avoided: The shelter environment is stressful for the animals and close quarters contribute to dog-on-dog aggression. Boundary aggression builds because fences separate the dogs. Volunteers who work with dogs must be aware that dogs not in the same buddy group may not mix or meet. At the shelter we avoid incidents by checking verbally and loudly before passing through every door and by keeping distance between each dog and all the others not in its buddy group, whether near the kennels, in the play yards, or out for a walk. When walking a shelter dog, avoid contact with dogs that have not been introduced to each other by a staff member. This is especially true on walks off premises; completely avoid meeting non-shelter dogs. Staff, not volunteers, should break up any dog fight that might occur. If your dog becomes involved in a fight, do not use your hands or body to intervene. You are not trained and can make the situation much worse. It almost always takes more than one person to successfully break up a dog fight. Run/Shout for help from staff members or blow your whistle on premises. Whistles can be found by the volunteer badges. Dog Training: Training is mentally stimulating to a dog and strongly facilitates bonding with people; a training session is as good as a walk in using a dog s mental energy. Another benefit of training is the bonding between you and the dog that happens in a training session. AVHS gives volunteers the opportunity to enhance their dog training understanding and skills, from basic to more advanced work, in Saturday sessions taught by a staff member. All shelter training is based on positive reinforcement. Commands like sit, down, stay, heel, fetch, leave it, and shake are easy to teach and learn. The dog will be proud and more adoptable and you will be proud! Volunteers who are approved by an AVHS staff member may take approved dogs for walks off premises on hiking trails or in towns; the dog should wear an Adopt Me vest. Such excursions help a dog adapt to new surroundings and to strangers. Similarly Pet Parent volunteers, with permission, may take a dog for an overnight to give the dog a break, in order to obtain information useful to potential adopters, or for special training. Foster Care: An aspect of volunteering that is always needed is foster care. Often AVHS receives litters that are too young to be put up for adoption, puppies or kittens. These babies may require bottle feeding every few hours. Having access to volunteers who are home enough and willing to foster is hugely important. Litters of puppies and kittens need the socialization of living in a home during their first twelve weeks of life. They begin house training and other basic training. Youngsters require more care, so the foster volunteer frees up staff to spend more time with other shelter animals. When the babies are old enough, they are returned to AVHS, spayed/neutered, and put up for adoption. Other special needs animals benefit from foster care. Animals that are not adopted in the first months may need to be away from the stress of the shelter. Some have never lived in a home before and need socialization and training in order to become more adoptable. Some are fearful in the shelter environment with all its activity. Some need special care during surgery or other medical treatments. Occasionally AVHS has a blind

8 8 or deaf animal that needs a temporary home before adoption. When kennels at the shelter are full, almost any adoptable dog or cat will benefit from foster care. Additional Volunteer Opportunities Kennel Assistant: Early risers are welcome to join staff from 8 am to 10 am to assist with cat kennel cleaning. There is always laundry: kennel bedding and toys are washed, dried, folded, and stored. Yard poop scooping is always needed. Volunteers are helpful to staff throughout the day, especially with dogs, to rotate, and feed. Animal Transportation: AVHS always needs volunteers to transport an animal to the vet, to another shelter, to the airport, to offsite adoptions at PETCO, to the new home, etc. If you are interested in this aspect of volunteering, let us know. Construction/Maintenance: Help is needed with maintenance and construction from time to time. Paint a room, assemble new kennels, install shelving, attend to broken door handles and lighting fixtures, etc. If you are a handy person and willing to help, let us know. There is almost always a project waiting that can use your help. Landscape Maintenance: In season, water trees and plants, pull weeds, attend to the external aesthetics of AVHS. Snow removal help is always needed each winter. Fundraising and Special Events: Hang flyers, set up/take down booths, assist with adopt-a-thons, provide snacks or cookies, and much more. Humane Education Assistance: Assist with programs about animals and responsible pet ownership. If you have skills related to education outreach, please let us know. Donations: Contribute financially to AVHS. The smallest donations from individuals are what keep us going. Or create a legacy of care for the animals through a gift from your estate. Volunteer Policies and Guidelines Animal Care Volunteer Agreement: AVHS Volunteers support the work of AVHS staff in caring for and rehoming shelter animals. AVHS staff is responsible for decision making related to animal care and the placement or euthanasia of shelter animals, and it is the role of volunteers to support staff in their work by providing TLC, foster homes, and assisting with cleaning, feeding, and transport of animals and with maintenance. Volunteers are provided an overview of shelter services, programs, and policies at orientation and in the Volunteer Handbook. Animal Care Volunteers report to the Animal Care Technicians, (ACT on duty for the animal area (Dog Room, Cat Room, etc) for which they are volunteering. The on duty ACT is responsible for supervising the work of volunteers and community service workers. Urgent concerns that cannot be resolved by the on duty ACT should be addressed with the on-duty Operations Manager or Executive Director.

9 9 Question Resolution Process for Volunteers: Immediate concerns or questions that cannot be adequately addressed by the immediate supervisor or on-duty manager, should be put in writing and submitted in person or by to the Operations Manager or Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator who will address the concern with the appropriate parties and mediate. If this fails to resolve the concern, the Operations Manager or V/O coordinator will turn the matter over to the Executive Director for decision. Ideas & Suggestion Process for Volunteers: Volunteers who have ideas or suggestions for the improvement of AVHS are asked to present them to the ACT or Operations Manager, depending on content. Another forum for suggestions is the monthly Volunteer meeting. Monthly Volunteer Meetings: The Monthly Volunteer Meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1 pm. The location alternates between the two shelters. These meetings are a good place for volunteers to meet each other and staff, discuss their volunteer experiences, ask questions and bring forward new ideas and suggestions. Volunteers chair and record minutes for the meetings and the Volunteer/OutreachCoordinator attends for the purpose of answering questions and receiving suggestions, and as a liaison between volunteers and the Ops Manager, ED and Board. Sign-in Procedures: Volunteers who help out with animal care/enrichment, transport, maintenance/construction, and any other on-site activities are asked to sign in and out on the time sheets located in the volunteer check in area. These are alphabetized by last name. (Sign-in is essential for insurance and liability purposes and for grant applications.) In addition, volunteers who help out regularly at one of our facilities schedule their weekly hours on the volunteer calendar. These calendars are posted at the volunteer stations at both shelters and are available online at Scheduling your hours, when possible, helps staff and volunteers know how much help to expect on a given day. Badge and Whistle: You are asked to wear your badge and use a whistle while on duty. You may need the whistle to call for help if an animal escapes or you witness a fight. Anti-Harassment Policy: AVHS is committed to providing an environment that encourages mutual respect and is free of unlawful harassment. Unlawful harassment includes but is not limited to: verbally derogatory epithets and sexual harassment. If you believe this policy has been violated, you should report your observations to the AVHS Executive Director. Failing a satisfactory resolution of your concerns, an appeal may be made to the Board of Directors, which has the final authority and responsibility to settle the matter.

10 10 Procedures for Reporting Injury: Volunteers are asked to report personal injuries from scrapes to more serious accidents that may occur at AVHS to a staff member. Basic first aid supplies are available in the kitchen. Staff may ask you to complete an injury report form. Animal bites must be reported but it is important that you understand how to work with each animal to avoid such an incident. Volunteers who notice a sick or injured animal should report this to the ACT on duty. Kennel Signs: Please read all signs on an animal s kennel before working with it. Cats may have warnings that they are not in a good mood today. Dogs may have notices that they are afraid of children or men. Any animal may have a notice that it will be having surgery and is food restricted, or that it has had surgery and needs quiet time to recover. When dogs or cats are moved to the adoptable area they need a few days to adjust to the environment. Never stand in front of the kennel of a barking dog or frightened animal. Ask staff how to handle these situations. Dealing with the Public: Always offer to assist members of the public who are waiting in the office and who have not yet been helped by staff. Offer to call a staff member, if the office staff is already occupied. Or ask the person to wait. Note that all questions and procedures relative to adoptions are handled by AVHS staff, who have the knowledge and training for this work. Of course, a staff member may ask for your help. If you are familiar with a particular animal, you may be asked to talk to potential adopters about your experiences with that animal with the intention of good placement for that animal. If you are a Pet Parent your meeting with potential adopters can be especially valuable as are your notes on your shelter pet. Isolation Facilities: Volunteers do not enter the isolation facilities or interact with the animals that are in isolation without the knowledge and approval of a staff member. Only authorized staff members care for these animals in order to prevent the potential spread of disease from new animals. Isolation animals have not been temperament tested and may need special handling. Isolation areas include the ISO Dog Room and Yard, ISO Sick Room, ISO Kitten nursery, and often the ISO Cat Trailer. Frequently Asked Questions 1. May a volunteer walk his/her dog with an AVHS dog? This is not recommended. If staff gives permission there must be a formal introduction, under the supervision of AVHS staff. The volunteer s dog must be spayed/neutered and be current on vaccinations. 2. How long are strays held prior to becoming available for adoption? Stray animals are held for 5 days, which allows owners to reclaim and AVHS to assess their temperament and personality. Surrendered animals are held for 3 days. At the end of the holding period, the animal becomes the property of AVHS and is formally temperament tested and put up for adoption.

11 11 3. Can isolation animals be handled by the public? The answer is no because the animals have not been temperament assessed; they cannot be shown to or handled by the public until they are formally up for adoption. 4. How do we define adoptability? We define adoptability through our temperament and medical assessments. We handle each animal s teeth, ears, tail, paws, etc. For dogs, we assess them on being handled while they are eating and how they behave with toys: whether they will share and allow food or toys to be taken away easily. Dogs that show human aggression undergo rehabilitation by staff for as long as it takes, as long as the dog is making progress, however slowly. These dogs are kept in isolation until they can be trusted with people. 5. Can adoptable animals be handled by the public? Yes, under staff supervision. This helps the animals become better socialized and gives a potential adopter a chance to bond with an animal. 6. Can a potential adopter put a hold on an animal for adoption if she/he needs time to make a decision or drive to the shelter? An animal can be held for 24 hours. 7. Are some animals off limits to the public? Yes. If a dog is being held for rabies quarantine due to biting a person it can only be handled by staff and a sign will clearly indicate this restriction on the kennel. Sometimes legally impounded dogs are aggressive and can only be handled by staff. Occasionally a traumatized cat will be off limits. Such animals are usually in the isolation facility. Otherwise a warning is posted on the kennel. 8. What is included in the adoption fee? The fee covers part of spay/neuter surgery, all vaccinations, micro-chipping, one month of pet health insurance, all food and care at AVHS, and any medical care the animal has needed while at AVHS. A free dog or cat from the newspaper will likely cost much more after you spay/neuter, vaccinate, and take care of other veterinary costs. AVHS never makes money on adoptions. On the contrary, adoption fees cover only part of the costs for AVHS to care for and prepare an animal for adoption. 9. What is the adoption process? The potential adopters come to the shelter and decide which animal is for them, usually with staff assistance. An adoptive dog must meet all other dogs that it will live with before the adoption can be approved. Adopters who rent must have landlord approval for the pet. The adopters then fill out an application, receive staff approval and information, and receive the animal s medical records and behavior assessment information along with an adoption kit. Then the animal leaves the shelter with its new family. 10. What if the adopter does not want a spayed/neutered animal? AVHS policy is that all dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, without exception, before going home. The only way to reduce and eventually stop euthanasia performed on tens of thousands of unwanted, abandoned animals in Colorado each year is to spay/neuter. Sometimes animals are available for adoption before the surgery, but they cannot leave the shelter until they are altered What veterinary care do the animals receive? Basically they receive whatever care they need. Dogs are vaccinated for rabies, coronavirus, parvovirus, distemper,

12 12 bordatella, and de-wormed. Each cat is tested for feline leukemia/feline aids prior to being put up for adoption, and is vaccinated against rabies leukemia, rhinotraceitis, calicivirus and panluekopenia. Each animal at the shelter is regularly checked by the staff for health issues: teeth, allergies, cancer, broken bones, etc. Animals that need special care visit one of the local vets. 12. What about pit bull terriers or so-called bully breeds? AVHS has had great success in placing these dogs in adoptive homes where they are cherished. Sadly, the media has promoted misinformation that the breed is aggressive by nature. AVHS views pit bulls the same as any other dog that comes into our care. We disagree strongly with the general attitude of discrimination against the breed. The breed is not the problem; breeders and owners who train these dogs to be aggressive are the problem. Because pit bull terriers are the focus of bad press, they often remain at the shelter longer than other dogs. Pit bulls are highly intelligent and gentle dogs if they have not been treated abusively and often even after abusive treatment. Aggression occurs in several breeds more often than in pit breeds, but the media tends to focus on pit bulls. Unneutered male dogs of any breed make up by far the greatest percentage of fatal dog attacks on humans. We make every effort to educate the public on the fact that pit bull terriers are great family dogs. 13. What about feline leukemia/feline AIDs? We test every cat that comes into the shelter for these diseases, which are highly contagious to other cats. Feline leukemia or AIDs can be a problem especially among colonies of feral cats. Cats that test positive are euthanized due to the fact that they cannot be safely housed with healthy cats; and we do not have a facility for contagiously ill cats. 14. What support do you provide after an adoption and what is the return policy? We can recommend trainers for dog obedience, both private and in our own classes. Adopters have the opportunity to return an animal if it just is not working out. We have a two week period during which the adopter can return an animal if we agree that the adopter has done everything to get it settled in the home and it just isn t a good fit. We offer an exchange certificate that will be good for 6 months, though the adoption fee is non-refundable. 15. Do volunteers decide whether to volunteer in Buena Vista or Poncha Springs or both? Yes, it is up to the volunteer. We have some who help at both facilities and some who help only at one. Buena Vista needs more volunteers because it serves both dogs and cats. Dog walking and TLC is always needed in Buena Vista. Volunteers work only with cats at Sunshine Shelter since the dogs there are in isolation. 16. Does AVHS treat sick animals? The answer is Yes. From broken legs to surgery on cancerous lumps to thyroid problems to kennel cough, we have an emergency pet health fund to cover unusual vet expenses. When you volunteer, you will have many more questions. Staff members are more than happy to answer them. Thanks for all YOU do for the animals