Volunteer Application

Volunteer Pledge:

• I will follow the Bylaws, Mission Statement, policies, procedures, goals and guidelines of the organization.
• I will keep safety at the forefront of my volunteer activities, particularly when interacting with dogs and cats and the public.
• I will report any injuries or incidents immediately to a director or person in charge.
• I will use all HEART provided supplies and materials for the use for which they were intended, and not use them for personal activities or pets.
• I will be conscientious and committed in all of my volunteer activities because others depend on my participation. I will ask for help when needed and hold myself accountable for completing all tasks assigned.
• I will provide required reports to the Board as may be required for specific volunteer activities.
• I will strive to promote a positive environment in HEART by example and by welcoming new individuals to the organization.
• I will conduct myself professionally at all times in recognition of my role as an ambassador for HEART both internally and when in public.
• My services to HEART are provided in a strictly voluntary capacity with no express or implied promise of compensation or payment of any kind.
• My services to HEART are provided without any employment-type benefits (i.e. employment insurance programs, worker’s compensation, vacations, or sick time.)

Hold Harmless Agreement:

HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers shall not be liable to the volunteer(s) on any theory of legal liability including the sole or concurrent negligence of HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers, for any injury, death or danger directly or indirectly caused by the rescue animal. The volunteer(s) hereby releases HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers from any and all liability, claims, suits, demands, or causes of action which may arise out of or be brought against HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers by virtue of release and transfer of the rescue animal to the volunteer(s). It is the expressed intention of the volunteer(s) and HEART that the release provided for in this paragraph is designed and intended to protect HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers from the consequences of any attack, behavior or other action by the rescue animal, and from the consequences of any act of omission or negligence on the part of the volunteer(s) and HEART and its Board of Directors and volunteers in obtaining custody of the rescue animal, in providing care for the rescue animal, or in failing to provide timely or adequate warning to any person concerning the rescue animal.

Heart Dog Foster Agreement

IT IS AGREED: The foster individual(s) acknowledge(s) the purposes and goals of HEART Rescue and recognizes the reasonable interest in assuring the proper and humane treatment of rescue dogs (hereinafter referred to as “dog”) during temporary placement with the foster home. The foster individual(s) represent(s) that no member of the family has been charged with cruelty to animals and agree(s) to accept the following conditions and restrictions in order to be eligible to provide a foster home for a rescued dog. This agreement is signed one time and is for the purpose of any current or future HEART foster dog in the foster individual(s) care.

1. The foster home will keep the rescue dog indoors or in a kennel run. It will not be tied to a doghouse or to a chain, nor left unsupervised in a yard where the dog can dig or climb out.
2. The foster home will provide the rescue dog with an adequately fenced yard and/or will walk the dog on a leash. At no time will any dog be allowed to run loose while unattended, or be allowed off-leash at any time.
3. The foster individual(s), when away from home for over a 24-hour period, will advise a Director, so that alternative arrangements can be made for the dog. If arrangements are made with a family member, they must abide by the foster agreement terms and a HEART Board of Director must be informed of the temp placement.
4. The rescue dog will never be attack- or guard-trained or used as a property guard dog. Further, this dog will not be used in any aspect of dog/animal fighting.
5. The foster family will provide said rescue dog with all the care and attention necessary to ensure its health and well being. This will include providing sufficient food, water, exercise, transportation to and from veterinary clinic, annual vaccinations, de-worming, prompt veterinary care in the event of illness or injury, flea/tick preventative and heartworm preventative. (Provided by HEART Animal Rescue)
6. The rescue dog will not be abused in any manner. The rescue dog will not be beaten or otherwise treated cruelly, and will not be the subject of, or subjected to, any biological, chemical, psychological, or other experiment.
7. In the event the rescue dog is lost or stolen, the foster individual(s) will contact a Board Director immediately. Foster(s) agrees to follow the search instructions provided by HEART and aid in the recovery of the lost dog.
8. The foster individual(s) shall not give, lease, or otherwise transfer custody of HEART Rescue.
9. The foster individual(s) will notify a HEART Board Director immediately of all and any changes in residence, mailing address, and/or telephone number.
10. The foster individual(s) will notify a HEART Board Director immediately of the rescue dog’s serious illness and/or death.
11. The foster individual(s) must notify a HEART Board Director within twelve (12) hours of any bite by the rescue dog inflicted on a human or another animal owned or not owned by the foster individual(s).
12. The foster individual(s) recognize(s) the need to ensure that the rescue dog is receiving proper and humane care and agrees to allow inspection of the foster home and the conditions in which the rescue dog is living, at any reasonable time if requested by a HEART Board Director.
13. The foster individual(s) agree(s) to immediately surrender custody of the rescue dog to a HEART representative upon demand. The foster individual(s) agree(s) that the foster individual(s) has/have no legal ownership and will not obtain any legal rights to the rescue dog in their care.
14. Should it be necessary to litigate in connection with any dispute concerning the care, treatment, and/or custody of a rescue animal directly under the care of the foster home, the foster individual(s) agree(s) to pay all court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
15. The foster individual(s) agree(s) that should they desire to adopt the foster dog, said adoption will be approved or denied at the discretion of HEART Board of Directors. The foster individual(s) agree(s) that, if the adoption is approved, they will be subject to all established adoption protocol to include execution of the Adoption Contract and payment in full of the expenses HEART has incurred with the rescue dog, not to exceed the adoption fee structure as set forth on the HEART website and/or Petfinder Home Page at the time of the adoption.
16. The foster individual(s) recognize(s) that, although HEART has made reasonable efforts to provide a rescue dog which is compatible with the environment of the foster individual(s), the foster home agrees that HEART does not warrant the temperament or behavior of the rescue dog, and that HEART is not to be held liable for any acts of the rescue dog while living with the foster individual(s). The foster family agrees to notify a HEART Board Director immediately if it believes the temperament or behavior of the rescue dog is incompatible with the foster home environment and has the ability to house the dog in a humane and loving manner until HEART is able to relocate.
17. The foster individual(s) state(s) that they have reasonable knowledge about the proper care of dogs. The foster home agrees to be responsible for the proper supervision of the rescue dog in its possession. Should HEART Rescue suffer any damages or legal costs as a result of the negligent supervision of the rescue dog in the foster home’s care, the foster individual(s) agree(s) to indemnify HEART for all such damages and costs.
18. The foster individual(s) acknowledge(s) that the purpose of HEART in establishing the conditions in this agreement is to safeguard the health and well-being of the rescue dog, to protect the rescue dog against neglect, abuse, and cruelty, and to temporarily house a rescue dog until a permanent home is found. The foster individual(s) enter(s) into this Agreement freely and with knowledge.

Affirmation:

• By my signature on this form, I hereby certify that I have read the above Hold Harmless Agreement and HEART Dog Foster Agreement and agree to all terms.
• I agree to support the mission of HEART and abide by the Bylaws, as well as any policies and procedures developed by the Board of Directors. I acknowledge that failure to do so can result in my removal from HEART at any time by the vote of at least 2 Board Directors.
• I have never been charged with animal cruelty and I am not and never have been an animal dealer or broker.
• I am volunteering my services to HEART and acknowledge that such act(s) may involve risk of harm from animal bites or from other activities I may perform. I hereby acknowledge that I am familiar with dogs and cats and their behavior and understand my responsibilities as a volunteer.
• I acknowledge and understand that the animals involved in HEART programs may be untrained or unhealthy and that HEART makes no representations whatsoever regarding the animal’s temperament, health (including the presence or absence of diseases transmissible to humans or other animals), age, ability, attitude or ability to the trained. I release HEART from any responsibility for any disease, illness or injury I may transmit to my family or animals as a result of my volunteer activities.
• HEART has complete authority to take whatever actions in its sole judgment that are necessary and in the best interest of any animal you agree to foster. I cannot arrange a private adoption for any HEART animal. All potential adopters must go through the HEART adoption application process and be approved by a minimum of 2 Board Directors as a suitable home.