Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®

Rescue Volunteer Rules & Regulations

Thank you for volunteering for Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®! You may at any time, contact one of our staff, if you have questions.

Director: Nicole Barnhardt, nicole@preciouspawsrescue.com

Foster Program Coordinator: Lynn Dolan, lynndolan@ryder.com

If we contact you, and request that you pick up a dog for us, here are some guidelines that may help you in this exciting and rewarding journey! We recognize that many of you have rescue experience, and we are truly grateful for this experience. We must ask that when you are rescuing or fostering for Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® , please honor our rules and regulations.

1. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LET A PROSPECTIVE ADOPTER VISIT THE DOG BEFORE THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO ADOPT. ALL ADOPTION APPLICATIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® HOME OFFICE BEFORE ANY PLACEMENT OF ANY RESCUE DOG OCCURS. (No exceptions can be made to this.) This also applies to "foster-to-adopt” arrangements / trial adoptions.
2. If you have possession of a Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® foster dog, this dog may not be moved to another home (foster home or adoptive home) without permission and approval of the Precious Paws Rescue, Inc. home office or your Area Team Leader.
3. Each Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® dog is to be fully vetted before placement. Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® will pay for this to be done. We need to authorize all medical treatment (except for emergencies) for each dog. You may take this letter to your vet.  Letter to Veterinarians  It has billing information for them. If you or the vet have questions, the number to call is 1-704-509-9861.
4. If you are taking in an Owner Turn In (OTI), you will need the following form, to be signed by the person turning in the dog, and by yourself.  Owner Surrender Form
5. Never take your own animals with you to the home of an owner turn in. If we asked you to pick up an OTI for us, time is of the essence. Please do not think that the dog will be safe for a few more days. Often, it will not. Let us know if you cannot go right then so we may try to find another volunteer. If you get to the home of the OTI, and for any reason do not feel the dog will work out being fostered at your home, please do not leave it there! We will pay for boarding or make arrangements for another foster home as quickly as possible.
6. When you get the call from us, asking you to retrieve a dog from a shelter, we will provide any papers that you will need to take with you to the shelter, if any are .

Clarification of Ownership and Responsibility
for Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® Volunteers

Recently we have had some confusion as to who is responsible for a Cocker Spaniel when the foster parent is both a Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® volunteer and a volunteer for one or more other rescue organizations. Please use the following as a guide to handle this situation.

1. Before any dog is taken into rescue for Precious Paws Rescue, Inc., it should be cleared with Nicole Barnhardt, Wayne Cline or your Team Leader. E-mail: rescue_admin@preciouspawsrescue.com .  In case of emergencies you may phone Wayne at his cell: 1-704-400-5147.
2. Any dog turned in to Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® is PPR's responsibility. An Owner Surrender form (Owner Surrender Form) should be used and all adoption applicants must be pre-approved through Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®.
3. All proceeds on behalf of the dog such as adoption fees, donations for the upkeep/care of an owner turn-in, are to be sent to Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.
4. Any dog turned in to any other rescue group, is the responsibility of that rescue group. This includes all medical bills, expenses relating to this dog, and all charges made on the dog's behalf, including any shipping charges.
5. If you are fostering a dog for another rescue group, only their applications should be used. No applicant through PPR should be approached, without express permission.
6. All proceeds on behalf of another organizations foster dog, such as adoption fees, are directed to the rescue group responsible for that dog.

By honoring the continued good relationship between all of the Cocker Spaniel rescue groups, it is hoped that we will be able to work together for the benefit of all animals. :)

Here are some guidelines for you, when you are picking up your new rescue dog!

If a dog is taken from a shelter, the dog should be quarantined somewhere far from the other animals in the house, and taken to the vet as quickly as an appointment is available.

When you pick your rescue up, take a crate with you. Also, maybe a towel for mishaps, a few Chewy Strips, a stuffed toy. You might also bring a mix of different treats as it sometimes lets the little one know he has nothing to fear and may help divert their attention if you need to put a collar on them.

The shelter may provide you with a slip lead, however we recommend that you take an adjustable collar and leash of your own.

1. Ask if they checked for a microchip.
2. Ask what shots they have given him and get copies of any paperwork related to vetting.
3. Ask for all of the history they may have on the dog, the kind of family it came from, etc.
4. Did it receive regular vet care?
5. Why was it turned in (Use as a guideline - this may not be the "whole truth.")
6. What kind of food was he used to.

When you arrive at home put him in the place you have prepared for him. Show him food and water bowls. Maybe a special toy or bone just for him. Remember that a change of diet can cause intestinal distress so be prepared. Maybe a special toy or bone just for him. Give him time to rest in his new home before introducing him to the rest of the family. He is under stress and more than likely was just neutered or spayed so is feeling the effects of anesthesia. When you feel comfortable, introduce him to the other family members and let him tour his new home under supervision. How much of the house he gets to investigate will depend upon whether or not you are going to quarantine the dog for a few days. You will need some time to determine if he is housebroken or not.

Make certain your fence is secure, and keep him on a leash at first, even in a fenced area, in case he can climb a fence.

You may choose to put your rescue in a crate or playpen - to be able to confine a marking, or not housebroken dog, yet allow it to be with you. You may prefer a playpen because it is more open. You can reach in and pet or love on the dog easily. A playpen folds down so can be moved to always be where you are. The dog can stand, sit, lie down, or stand on his hind legs without any restrictions. There is room for food and water bowl and a bed.

An adjustable gate is very handy for keeping the dog in a safe place like the kitchen or bathroom when you have to leave the house without him. It is open, lets air circulate and the dog see out, but safely confines him.

It is strongly recommended to isolate (Quarantine) a dog that comes from a shelter for a few days before letting it interact with your personal pets. Kennel Cough is highly contagious and is airborne. It is good to have a safe place where to can observe the rescue and yet he can be part of your family. It is absolutely imperative to keep your pet's boosters current when doing rescue work. Your pets MUST come first!

It is very helpful to take the time to interact with the dog you are considering rescuing.

1. Walk around with him.
2. Hold him.
3. Speak softly to him, and assure him he is going to be all right.
4. See how he reacts to you handling his ears, paws, and tail. This can give you an idea if the dog is timid, or very friendly.
5. Does he go to the bathroom as soon as he is let out of his kennel? If he does, it may be a good indication that he's house trained.
6. Does he seem happy to be with you?

If you decide to take the dog into rescue, and it has to be neutered or spayed before leaving, ask if they will bathe the dog the day of the surgery. Some shelters have volunteers who will do this for you. Remember, the dog cannot be bathed for 10 days after surgery.

Also, evaluate for fleas and/or ticks. You may want to treat the rescue with Advantage, etc. before it goes home with you.

Make a vet appointment as soon as possible to get a general evaluation of the dog's health. If you are local to Charlotte, this will be taken care of for you.  Otherwise, please get all vet visits approved, first, prior to going to the vet. Please ask if your vet will give a discount, for rescue dogs. Most vets will give a 25 to 30 % discount for true rescue dogs. We have all necessary documentation, to prove we are a legitimate rescue group.

Look at the teeth when you see the dog. To minimize stress on the dog and minimize cost, if the teeth really need cleaning and the dog is taken the shelters contract vet for neutering, make sure they clean the teeth at the same time. This saves the cost of a second anesthetic, and the contract vet's office will usually give you a price reduction for the teeth cleaning too.

These are the things we want done at the vet...please get an estimate first, if possible.

1. Spay/Neuter (Unless said rescue is possibly pregnant. Let us know if this is the case.)
2. Vaccinations (Please put the rabies tag on the dog immediately...in case he should get lost, they will be able to track you. Also, if you have an old rabies tag for your dog, you might even temporarily put it on his collar...it will be a way for someone who might find him, to contact you)
3. Heartworm check
4. Check condition of teeth
5. Worms
6. Condition of nails/feet/skin/ears, etc.
7. Have your vet do a hearing and sight test so that we may let adopters know how well their new dog can see and hear.

Regarding Heart Worm and Flea and Tick preventative, PPR will pay for only what the dogs uses while in rescue with PPR. Never give Heartworm preventative without a current negative heartworm test, unless the dog has been on monthly heartworm preventative AND we have vet records which show a Heartworm test within the last year. PPR does NOT allow administration of the new 6 month ProHeart vaccinations!

Please make sure that the heartworm preventative you give the pet is the RIGHT ONE for that pets weight!  Overmedicating heartworm preventative can cause serious damage!

Send the vet evaluation and a picture of the rescue to Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® as soon as possible. You may email us at adoptions@preciouspawsrescue.com .

Get the dog vetted as soon possible so that any health problems can be found discovered and immediately cared for. It will need a clean bill of health so that it can go to his "forever home" as soon as one is found.

For reimbursement, mail copies of the shelter rescue fee (if any) and vet bills to Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® within 30 days.

Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®

C/O Nicole Barnhardt
6520 White Pine Lane
Charlotte, NC 28262

In case of emergency, you may call Wayne’s cell phone: 704-400-5147.

Adoption

If you find someone who wants to adopt your rescue, have him or her fill out the online Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®  adoption application as soon as possible to get him or her approved.

Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® Online Adoption Application

If YOU want to adopt the dog, let us know ASAP! Foster Parents always have first choice!

You must be willing to put your foster dog on an airplane to fly to his/her new family. Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® is quickly growing and becoming a national rescue organization and demands will increase for long-distance adoptions! We have already flown several Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® dogs to their new homes, safely.

 Be prepared to stay in touch with the adoptive family, if close to you, to assure both the humans and the dog are happy.

Assure the family they can call you if they have any questions or problems. Make a copy of everything done at the vet's and at the shelter, a copy of the certificate of sterility and copy of the certificate of Rabies vaccine. The originals should go to the adoptive parent, as they will need this when getting local licenses, if any are required.

CHECK LIST

Needs:

1. Crate/playpen with padding _____
2. Expandable gate _____
3. Leash & collar _____
4. Grooming _____
5. Flea treatment _____
6. Food & water bowls _____
7. Other __

Questions to ask shelter about your rescue:

1. Ask for all history they have on your rescue: _______________________
2. What services are included in the adoption fee:
3. Shots _______________________________________________
4. License Yes No
5. Micro chip Yes No
6. Neuter/Spay Yes No

After you get your rescue home and settled in:

1. Vet appointment
2. Remove sutures Yes No
3. Heartworm check
4. Teeth evaluated
5. General health
6. Take pictures and get them e-mailed or snail mailed to Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® ASAP

Enjoy socializing, loving and training your rescue. Watch it flourish under your care.

ALL ADOPTION APPLICATIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® HOME OFFICE, BEFORE ANY PLACEMENT.

Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

THE VOLUNTEER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE/SHE MAY GAIN ACCESS TO Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.’s® CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, MAILING LISTS, PERSONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO HOME ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF OTHER VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS OF PRECIOUS PAWS RESCUE, INC., INFORMATION REGARDING PRECIOUS PAWS RESCUE, INC.’s RELATIONSHIP WITH SHELTERS, AND ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (hereinafter collectively referred to as “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION”). BY AGREEING TO BE A VOLUNTEER FOR Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® , THE VOLUNTEER AGREES THAT HE/SHE WILL NOT AT ANY TIME DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WHO IS NOT AN ACTIVE Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® VOLUNTEER. THE VOLUNTEER AGREES THAT THIS CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISION SHALL SURVIVE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE VOLUNTEER CEASES HIS/HER PARTICIPATION IN AND SUPPORT OF Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.®

____________________________________ have read the above Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® Rescue Volunteer Guidelines and agree to comply with them.

Signed ________________________________ Date ___________________

Street address ___________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State _________________ Zip ______________

Phone ___________________ Fax _________________ Cell _____________________

Email _________________________________

If you wish to be a Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® Volunteer follow this link to our online application form.

VOLUNTEER/FOSTER APPLICATION

FILLING OUT AND SIGNING THIS FORM IS NOT AN APPLICATION TO BE A Precious Paws Rescue, Inc.® VOLUNTEER. TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER YOU MUST FILL OUT THE FORM AT THE LINK ABOVE AND SUBMIT IT !! APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED BY USPS MAIL, BUT WILL REQUIRE UP TO ONE MONTH TO PROCESS. TO RECEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE.