Volunteering

Orientation.

No matter what area you are interested in Volunteering in, the place to start is the Volunteer Orientation day.

We discuss Occupational Health and Safety, animal behaviour, go on a tour of the premises and outline League rules.

You will then be able to choose specific areas of involvement that interest you.

Positive Reinforcement

Our Positive Reinforcement training day is compulsory to enter into Volunteering areas that expose Volunteers to dogs.

It is a style of reward-based training that the Animal Welfare League has adopted as its chosen approach. We expect all staff and Volunteers to follow these practices for the benefit of the dogs who come to stay with us.

Volunteers find that they receive rewards of their own by attending this enjoyable session and applying what they learn to their Volunteer visits.

Staff have reported improved behaviour and attitude from shelter dogs and this increases their re-homing chances, which is our core interest.

On the Job Training

Upon commencement of duties, Volunteers receive guidance from staff members in their specific areas. Volunteers are also given a handbook which explains their tasks and answers general questions.

The staff are grateful for Volunteer support and as such give as much support as they can to new Volunteers.

If you are considering Volunteering with the Animal Welfare League, we ask that you view this list of requirements and assess your suitability.

• OHS - Duty of Care
  Because of the presence of dogs (and often cats) with possible unpredictable behaviour, it is difficult to accommodate individuals with disabilities that impair their responses. It puts the individual, staff and the animal at risk. The individual must be able to move, hear, see and remember the training we have given them to keep themself safe. Due to the nature of our business it is a dangerous place to work there are many physical hazards e.g. hoses, machinery etc as well as amimals that may scratch and bite. All animals give forewarning if they do not wish for you to go near them and usually this is by growling and showing physical signs therefore you must be able to recognise this behaviour so that we can ensure your safety. If you would like to discuss this, please contact the Coordinator of Volunteers. The AWLSA reserves the right to assess any individuals suitability to become a volunteer.
   
• Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 85
  
  
• Volunteers must be able to attend to duties unsupervised
  
  
• Volunteers must be prepared to take direction.
  
  
• Volunteers must be prepared to be reliable. All Volunteering activities are run on rosters and Volunteers are required to give notice if they cannot attend for any reason
  
  
• Volunteers must possess a strong empathy for animals