Junior Volunteer Application

Thank you for your interest in volunteering.

This form is for anyone under 18 years of age. Please fill it out, and have the parent/guardian print and sign the accompanying Parent/Guardian release.

Your parent/guardian must come with you to your first orientation shift with the signed parent/guardian form.

Children under 12 must be accompanied at all times in the shelter with a parent/guardian who has also filled out our adult volunteer form.

Please remember to take into consideration that volunteering at the shelter is a serious commitment.

The time you spend helping the animals and staff is very valuable and relied upon once a commitment is made.

Please note that we can't guarantee the availability of dogs suitable for interactions with minors

Once your application is received, you will be contacted to discuss scheduling, duties, and other pertinent information to volunteering at the shelter.

Please note that we appreciate that our volunteers have lives outside the shelter and strive to accommodate scheduling conflicts, which is why we also welcome on call volunteers who fill in for regular volunteers.

Volunteer Agreement 

I understand that my time spent at the Tri-Lakes Humane Society is performed on a purely voluntary basis. I agree that my interactions with the animals will be performed with the utmost kindness and respect. At the same time, I understand these animals may exhibit unforeseen and unpredictable behaviors, such as growling, scratching, biting, etc. Should such behaviors present themselves, or should I enter into a situation where I am in need of assistance (involving an animal or otherwise), I understand that I must inform the shelter manager or other shelter employee as soon as possible. I also waive and release the Tri-Lakes Humane Society and its officers, directors, employees and volunteers from and against any and all claims I have or may have arising out of injury that I incur or may incur out of or in any way related to my volunteering at the facility.

Notice to Parents & Guardians of Young Volunteers - Must be signed by Parent/Guardian

By allowing your child/children to volunteer their time at the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, you agree with, understand, and will instruct your child to follow the guidelines of the volunteer agreement and to instructions set forth by the staff and outlined in the volunteer handbook.

You agree to attend your child's first orientation shift and any others that the staff deems necessary for your child to continue volunteering. If your child is under the age of 12, you agree to accompany them for all volunteer shifts.

One or more staff members will be on the premises and will instruct your child to perform the tasks that need to be completed while your child volunteers at the shelter. If staff is not present when you arrive or are called away in an emergency situation, we request that you do not leave your child at the shelter and/or that you retrieve your child as soon as possible. We will endeavor to avoid allowing your child to handle ANY animal that we deem inappropriate due to behavior, illness, size, etc., which we will determine on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to require parental supervision while your child volunteers with us. Please feel free to offer your input as to what tasks, if any, you feel your child should be limited from performing or encouraged to perform.

While at the shelter, your child will be in an environment where cats and dogs are adopted and surrendered on a regular basis. Therefore, they may become attached to animals who may not be at the shelter the next time they volunteer. Your child may also be come attached to an animal who, if necessary, may have to be humanely euthanized or might become ill and die unexpectedly. We will answer and explain to your child any questions they have regarding such situations, as well as any concerns they raise in general; however, you must be willing to stress to your child/children the potential emotional and physical risk involved (as previously described) with volunteering at the shelter and be willing to lend support yourself. We also encourage volunteering to be a "family affair," and

welcome families as a whole to spend some time with our animals.

Lastly, we would like to personally speak with you, the parent or guardian, regarding your child/ children volunteering at the shelter. We would like to do this in an effort to address any issues or concerns you have and to help us learn more about your child. No child will be permitted to volunteer at the shelter unless his/her parent, guardian, or other responsible adult has met with our staff to discuss the child's volunteer work. By signing below you are confirming that you acknowledge and agree to the above terms.

Please feel free to contact the Shelter Staff with any questions at (518) 891-0017 or email team@trilakeshumanesociety.org