These guidelines are designed to ensure a safe environment for our visitors and volunteers as well as our dogs and staff. We ask that you review them thoroughly and abide by them at all times while volunteering at Rescuing Cujo.

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• Please let us know if you have any health or physical issues of which we should be aware.

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• For the safety of both people and dogs, children five years and younger are not able to volunteer. Children between the ages of six and 17 may volunteer at the discretion of the staff if the child/children is/are accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

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• Non-staff members are allowed in the animal areas of the sanctuary only during volunteer shifts: 9:00-11:30 AM and 2:00-6:30 PM. All dog areas are closed from 11:30-2:00 PM.

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• On a case by case basis, at the discretion of staff members, you may be able to bring your own dog or underage children to the dog areas. You will not be allowed to leave animals in your vehicle at any place at Rescuing Cujo.

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• When you arrive at Rescuing Cujo at the beginning of your shift, please check in with a staff person.

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• Please be aware that your behavior will have an effect on the dogs. Calm and gentle behavior has a soothing effect. Loud noises, exaggerated gestures, running, and horseplay tend to disturb the dogs.

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• When entering or leaving a dog run, be sure to close and latch the gate behind you. I f there is an airlock system, make sure one gate is latched before opening the other.

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• Good hygiene can prevent the spread of illness. To protect your health and the health of our dogs, please sanitize your hands after working with the dogs and before leaving the dog area.

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• Any injury, however small, either to a dog or to yourself, should be reported immediately to a staff member. In addition, you will be asked to review and sign an incident report.

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• It is important to wear clothing that is appropriate to the environment and the volunteering you are doing. Closed-toe shoes are a requirement for volunteering in any of the dog areas. For your own protection, long pants, a shirt that will protect you from scratches and sunburn, and a hat are strongly recommended when volunteering with the dogs. (Please note that some dogs are afraid of strangers with hats/sunglasses so they might have to be removed.)

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• In the summer it can be hot, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Tell a staff person if you would like to take a break during your volunteer session or need to cut your session short.

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• You might encounter rattlesnakes or other snakes. A snake will not attack you unless it feels threatened, so calmly turn around, walk slowly away, and immediately report it to a staff member. If you come across a snake while walking a dog, calmly take a couple steps back, ensure the dog is at a safe distance from the snake, and notify staff immediately by blasting the air horn that will be provided for all dog walks.  A director will come to you and attempt to capture the snake for relocation purposes.

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• If you observe a situation with a dog in the surrounding area of which you do not approve, please inform a Rescuing Cujo staff person. They will notify the proper authority.