Volunteer Requirements

What We Require for All Volunteers

We expect our volunteers to comply with all of ACC’s Volunteer Program Policies and Procedures in order to maintain a high standard of volunteer service, create a safe environment for the animals and clients we serve, and provide you with a positive experience. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Volunteer Department at volunteerinfo@nycacc.org.

Getting Started

All prospective volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and must attend a Volunteer Orientation in order to learn about our organization and our Volunteer Program. (Under 18? Please check out our Community Kids program!)
Upon acceptance into the Volunteer Program there is a $25 administrative fee to cover the costs of the program. This includes processing costs, issuance of your Volunteer ID tag, an official Volunteer t-shirt, supplies and your training sessions. Financial hardship scholarships may be available on a case by case basis and will be determined during the interview process.
Volunteers will receive specific volunteer position training sessions to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their volunteer assignments. The training will be appropriate to the complexity and demands of the position.

Shift Procedures

Volunteers must sign up for shifts using the Volunteer Information Center (VICNET) website prior to the date and time of the shift. At the beginning and end of a shift volunteers must punch in and out using the VicTouch system at the Care Centers. Volunteers that are helping at Off-Site locations or special projects must record their hours through their VICNET website.
If volunteers need to cancel their volunteer shift, they must contact the Volunteer Department via email prior to their shift time. Failure to call or email, or to show up for your scheduled hours three times within a six (6) month period may result in termination from the Volunteer Program.

Expectations during a Shift

Volunteers must wear the appropriate attire for the position while volunteering as explained in the position description; example: volunteer t-shirt, volunteer ID, long pants and appropriate footwear.
Volunteers need to perform the essential functions as they are described in the Position Description and as instructed during training and by the Team Leader or Volunteer Staff during the shift.
Volunteers are not allowed to bring friends, family members or pets with them during their scheduled volunteer shifts. Only people who are over the age of 18 and have been trained as a volunteer in our program are allowed to be in the facilities. Volunteers may accompany their friends and family members to the Adoption rooms outside of their scheduled volunteer hours during Care Center adoption hours.
The use of cell phones and other electronic devices is strictly forbidden when handling any of our animals. This is for the safety of the animal and the person handling the animal. You may use these devices only when you are not handling an animal.
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as volunteers, whether this information involves a single staff member, volunteer, client, animal, other person or overall ACC business. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination from the program or other corrective action. All volunteers will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement as a condition to volunteer.
Volunteer Photographers agree that any product(s) (i.e., photos, videos, etc.)
While volunteering with ACC, volunteers must not engage in the following:

Discriminatory or racist statements or behaviors.
Sexual harassment, for example, jokes, innuendos, insults, sexist remarks, and the display of derogatory or pornographic pictures, leering, touching, or kissing.
The use of any alcohol or illegal drugs.
Any unlawful or inappropriate activity.

Volunteers must promptly leave the site they are volunteering after they have completed their volunteer shift.

Termination and Resignation

It is requested that volunteers who intend to leave provide advance notice of departure and reason to the Volunteer Department.
Reasons of involuntary termination include but are not limited to:

Cruelty to animals.
Insubordination or outright refusal to follow directions of a supervisor.
Failure to be respectful of staff, customers or other volunteers.
Failure to follow ACC’s policies and procedures.
Harassment of any kind.
Reporting for duty under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Utilizing ACC property for any illegal or unauthorized purposes.
No email/no show three times within a six (6) month period or failure to attend mandatory volunteer meetings without reason. Volunteers are encouraged to find a replacement to cover their shift, but this is not required.

ACC in its sole discretion, reserves the right to reassign or dismiss any volunteer when such action is in the best interest of either party.
Exit interviews or questionnaires, when possible, will be conducted by ACC. The interview is intended to determine why the volunteer is leaving the position, gather suggestions for improving the position and the possibility of involving the volunteer in a different capacity at ACC.

Communication

To keep the lines of communication open, volunteers are expected to read ACC’s weekly “State of the Pack” Friday Update and the Volunteer Department’s e-mails.
Volunteers are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the department supervisor. They may also take their concerns, complaints or suggestions to the Volunteer Department. Written documentation (e-mails are acceptable) of any serious concerns or safety matter should be forwarded to the department supervisor and the Volunteer Manager.

Benefits

Volunteers are eligible to receive up to $50.00 credit towards the adoption fee only of an ACC animal. To be eligible volunteers must have volunteered at ACC for a minimum of one (1) month and must follow the ACC adoption process to receive this benefit.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for TimeBanksNYC. This is a free resource that allows individuals to earn service credits for volunteer work. If you become a member of TimeBanksNYC, each hour you spend volunteering with ACC will earn you a “time credit”. This “time credit” can then be redeemed for a service from someone in the TimeBanksNYC network.
Best of all, volunteers get to work closely with many wonderful animals and the people dedicated to enriching their lives.