Volunteer Application | Wishbone Pet Rescue

Please fill out this form if you would like to begin the process of becoming a Wishbone volunteer! If the form does not appear below, please hit your browser’s refresh button. Please note that volunteers younger than 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian’s permission.

If you're interested in volunteering for Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance, which also operates the Allegan County Animal Shelter, please complete this form to get the process started! Note: If you're interested in fostering, please visit this web page to learn more: https://wishbonepetrescue.org/help/foster-program/ Please note that volunteers working with animals must be at least 18 years of age - however, we have many other opportunities for younger people to volunteer. If you have any questions as you fill out the form, you're more than welcome to contact Wishbone Executive Director Sara Decker at (800) 475-0776. Please note that it may take several days before we're able to contact you back. Thank you for beginning the process!
Where are you interested in volunteering?
Check all that apply.
- Wishbone House in Douglas
- Allegan Shelter in Allegan
- Either location above is fine
- On the pet transport (transporting pets to other rescues and shelters)
- At a West Michigan area adoption event (locations vary)
- At the Wish-Upon-a-Bone Pet Food pantry (two locations in Allegan County, held twice a month)
- At an upcoming event, such as at a gala fundraiser, in a parade, etc.
- I'm not sure yet where I want to volunteer - I just know that I want to help
How did hear of us?
Check all that apply:
- Wishbone Website
- Allegan Shelter Website
- Wishbone Facebook page
- Allegan Shelter Facebook page
- TV news story
- Newspaper story
- Radio
- Drove by our facility
- Friend/colleague
- Other
Other
What kind of volunteer work are you interested in?
Check all that apply. Please note that any tasks involving direct contact with animals must be handled by those at least 18 years of age.
- Walking / exercising / playing with animals
- Helping with animal care and feeding
- Cleaning kennels, cat rooms and outdoor dog areas
- Transporting animals to appointments
- Transporting animals to other rescues and shelters
- Helping at the Wishbone House in the thrift shop
- Helping out at a spay-neuter clinic
- Helping out at the pet food pantry
- Helping at an adoption event
- Helping at a fundraising event such as a gala
- Performing clerical / administrative work
- I'm not sure yet how I want to volunteer - I just know that I want to help
Today's Date*
Your Name*
First Last
Your Date of Birth
Your Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Best phone number to contact you at:*
Email
In case of an emergency, whom should we notify?*
Please provide name, relationship to you and best phone number:
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
Note: No applicant will be denied a volunteer opportunity solely on the grounds of a conviction of a criminal offense. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances and the relevance of the offense to the position(s) applied for may, however, be considered.
- Yes
- No
Have you in the last 10 years been convicted of a felony (excluding any sealed or expunged convictions)?
- Yes
- No
Please explain:
Are you a citizen of the United States?
- Yes
- No
Please list any languages you speak or read other than English:
Are you currently employed?
- Yes
- No
If yes, are you:
- Part-time
- Full-time
Please provide the name/company of your employer, and its address and phone number:
Have you volunteered for Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and/or the Allegan Shelter before?
- Yes
- No
If so, from when to when?
Please list any physical restrictions that might affect your ability as a volunteer:
Please list any special interests, hobbies or talents:
Please describe any work or other experience that you feel has prepared you to be a volunteer:
Have you worked in any of the following:
Please check all that apply:
- Retail
- Customer service / public relations
- Pet rescue, shelter, pet store or worked with animals in general
- Clerical / administrative
EDUCATION
Please list your education, including name(s) of high school, colleges, vocational schools, etc. Please include city/state of each school, year of graduation and degree received:
REFERENCES
Please list three references, including name, relationship to you, address and phone number.
AVAILABILITY
Are you currently a volunteer anywhere?
- Yes
- No
If no, have you done volunteer work in the past?
- Yes
- No
If yes, what kind of volunteer work?
Please specify, including approximate dates:
What days and times are you available to volunteer?
How did you learn about Wishbone and / or the Allegan Shelter?
Please check all that apply:
- Newspaper article
- TV Story
- Radio
- Cats and Dogs Magazine
- Wishbone website
- Allegan Shelter website
- Wishbone Facebook page
- Allegan Shelter Facebook page
- Allegan Strays Facebook page
- Mailing
- Friend
- Wishbone volunteer
- Wishbone board member
- Other
Other:
DISCLAIMER, LIABILITY WAIVER - FOR THOSE AGES 18 OR OLDER*
1. I understand that I may be handling animals while providing my volunteer services for Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance, the Allegan County Animal Shelter and other participating partners and, therefore, there exists a risk for personal injury. On behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives and executor, I release, discharge, indemnity and hold harmless Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter, and their agents, servants and employees from any and all claims, causes of action or demands of any nature or cause connected with my volunteer contract. This could include any costs, attorney's fees and court costs incurred by Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter in connection with my volunteer services based on damages or injuries, which I may incur in any way while volunteering. Such damages are not limited to but may include animal bites, accidents, injuries and personal property damage. 2. I agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter harmless for any and all damage to my personal property while providing my services on a voluntary basis to Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter, its agents, servants and employees. 3. I understand that public relations is an important aspect of volunteer work at Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance. I, therefore, agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives and executors to Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and its agents to use any photographs, video or film taken of me for use in public relations efforts. 4. I understand that Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of injury, illness, death or damage to my property. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter beyond what may be offered freely by Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter in the event of such injury or medical expense incurred by me. 5. Additionally, I agree to the following: a) My role is as a volunteer and, as such, I will receive no financial compensation or reimbursement for services rendered; b) I have (or will) complete(d) the required training and been made aware of the assigned duties; c) I will bring to the attention of Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter staff any information or questions that arise regarding my duties and responsibilities; d) I recognize that any and all information shared with me as part of my duties as a volunteer is confidential and shall not be divulged to unauthorized individuals, agencies or organizations; e) I will not copy, transcribe, record or memorize confidential information in any manner, nor disclose or use such information for any purpose other than for the limited purpose of providing the assigned services at Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter. I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions of this volunteer agreement and I willingly comply with all of its conditions:
- Yes
- No
- Not Applicable - I am under age 18 (see question below)
PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN RELEASE - REQUIRED FOR VOLUNTEERS YOUNGER THAN AGE 18*
As the parent or legal guardian of the above volunteer, I give my full consent to allow my child or ward to volunteer services for Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter and its agents as described in the above volunteer contract. I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions in this volunteer contract. On behalf of myself and my child or ward, I agree to all the terms and conditions outlined in this volunteer contract. 1. On behalf of my minor child/ward and his/her heirs, personal representatives and executor, I release, discharge, indemnity and hold harmless Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter, and their agents, servants and employees from any and all claims, causes of action or demands of any nature or cause connected with this volunteer contract. This could include any costs, attorney's fees and court costs incurred by Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter in connection with my volunteer services based on damages or injuries, which my child/ward may incur in any way while volunteering. Such damages are not limited to but may include animal bites, accidents, injuries and personal property damage. 2. I agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter harmless for any and all damage to my child/ward’s personal property while providing services on a voluntary basis to Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter, its agents, servants and employees. 3. I understand that public relations is an important aspect of volunteer work at Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance. I, therefore, agree on behalf of my child/ward, his/her heirs, personal representatives and executors to Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and its agents to use any photographs, video or film taken of my child/ward for use in public relations efforts. 4. I understand that Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide my child/ward with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of injury, illness, death or damage to my property. On behalf of my child/ward, I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter beyond what may be offered freely by Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter in the event of such injury or medical expense incurred by my child/ward. 5. Additionally, I agree to the following: a) My child/ward’s role is as a volunteer and, as such, he/she will receive no financial compensation or reimbursement for services rendered; b) My child/ward will have (or will) complete(d) the required training and been made aware of the assigned duties; c) My child/ward will bring to the attention of Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter staff any information or questions that arise regarding his/her duties and responsibilities; d) My child/ward will recognize that any and all information shared with him/her as part of duties as a volunteer is confidential and shall not be divulged to unauthorized individuals, agencies or organizations; e) My child/ward will not copy, transcribe, record or memorize confidential information in any manner, nor disclose or use such information for any purpose other than for the limited purpose of providing the assigned services at Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and the Allegan County Animal Shelter. I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions of this volunteer agreement and I willingly comply with all of its conditions:
- Yes
- No
- Not Applicable - I am 18 years of age or older