Protectors of Animals, Inc. Essential Volunteer Capabilities
POA provides equal volunteering opportunity regardless of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, sexual orientation, political belief or disability. All matters relating to volunteering are based on availability of a volunteer position and the ability to perform the job based on the requirements. If you are unable to work independently or have special requirements, please contact us so that we can try to accommodate your needs.
Many volunteer positions work directly with, or around, cats and dogs. The following is meant to indicate the essential requirements all volunteers are expected to meet. Volunteer job descriptions for each volunteer position will include additional requirements.
Physical
- Ability to speak and effectively communicate verbally.
- Ability to hear warnings, such as growling or hissing.
- Ability to travel unaided on varied surfaces.
- Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
- Ability to use a step stool if needed to reach cages or supplies.
- Quick reflexes and ability to safely open a cage door while handling an animal or shut doors between rooms.
- Ability to cope with a loud environment due to animal noises.
- Ability to work in the presence of allergens which make include peanut butter, cat and dog dander, as well as cleaning chemicals.
Cognitive
- Ability to see to move safely throughout the building, distinguish animal body language and read instructions on cages.
- Ability to judge an animal’s reaction and adjust accordingly based on the animal’s behavior.
- Ability to work constructively with other POA personnel.
- Ability to understand, remember and follow both verbal and written instructions and procedures.
- Awareness of potentially dangerous situations when working with the animals, must be able to remain calm with animals who are upset, behave compassionately, and act appropriately in these situations.
- Ability to understand POA’s policies and positions regarding animal welfare issues and an ability and willingness to appropriately and accurately represent those policies when representing POA.
- Ability, once trained, to work independently with minimal supervision, and if lacking the ability to work independently, must be able to work alongside a trained parent or guardian (someone who is legally responsible for your safety) in an appropriate job, as determined by POA team leaders and/or the Board of Directors.
- Ability to understand and safeguard against the risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, or animal bites or scratches.
Emotional
- Ability to cope with the loss of animals.
- Ability to handle constructive criticism.
- Ability to remain calm and maintain a positive attitude.
- Ability to cope in a highly emotionally-charged environment and with situations such as euthanasia decisions.