Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with Kanoa Rescue Foundation (KRF). KRF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that focuses on saving medical cases, geriatrics, and special needs animals. Not only does KRF have an intake, foster, and have a rehabilitation program but also focuses on networking and assisting other 501c3 nonprofit organizations as well as municipal shelters. Our other main focus is education as KRF believes proactivity is the best way to accomplish our goal in animal welfare. KRF has an array of volunteer opportunies including but not limited to: fostering, networking, marketing, education, etc. We look forward to extending our KRF family!

Kanoa Rescue Foundation

Volunteer Agreement and Contract

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. If under the age of 18 then an adult must accompany them and sign a waiver.

Liability

I understand that volunteering with Kanoa Rescue Foundation (KRF) may require me to come in contact with animals, and that there are risks associated with my volunteer activites, including but not limited to animal bites and/or scratches. I assume the risks and accept personal liability for any damages that might occur as a result of my volunteer activites with KRF. I release KRF, its officers, its directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all claims I may have, or which hereafter accure to me, against released parties for personal injury, including death, as well as all property damage or loss, arising out of my volunteer activity with KRF.

I agree that if I transport for KRF whether it be animals, supplies, etc in my personal vehicle for any purpose, I will 1) maintain at least the State required minimum amounts of automobile insurance on the vehicle, 2) maintain a valid drivers license, 3) release, indemnify, and hold KRF harmless from any claims arising from and/or related in any way to any KRF animal's presence in my vehicle.

I hereby agree that the photographs and/or video images taken of me and my pet (or shelter animal) may be used in perpetuity by Kanoa Rescue Foundation for the purposes of publicity, education, fundraising, or otherwise promoting the mission and activities of the Foundation. I understand that I will receive no recognition or monetary compensation for the use of said photograph(s) and/or video footage, to be used in print or on the KRF website and that this agreement will remain binding and have legal effect regardless of whether my association with KRF continues.

At Kanoa Rescue Foundation we believe in promoting the wellness of animals and building a strong community connection in the "people world." We want to keep a positive connection in the rescue world and other parts of the community. This means how you represent the rescue matters.

Speaking about the animals should be done in a positive manner. We prefer them to be spoken about in a positive way as we want people to see them as deserving and not less than especially since we focus our intake program on medical cases, geriatrics, and special needs animals.

We are not trying to sell animals. This means we do not only talk about their positive attributes, this means we also talk about their perceived negatives. Being honest will help lower our return rate because we can bypass adopters who are only adopting because they think the animal will have NO issues. We want to have committed and informed adopters.

Education is KEY. Truth is, some people just don't know better. That is why we believe in educating and informing people in a polite and understanding manner. We do not want to approach education in an aggressive and assertive manner, this will deter people from learning.

We want to create an understanding environment so people can reach out to us. This means we are not to be aggressive towards people. If we create a divide then those who really need us won't reach out and will see us in an "enemy perspective."

Our saying is "Connecting People and Animals," we need to represent this. Human bashing does NOT do this.

We will not use the phrase "adopt don't shop" as we are avoiding creating a divide to a group of people who could use our educational resources.

We will avoid retaliation when people do not "see our side." Retaliation does not reach people or bring them to see your perspective and will push them from seeing new perspectives in the future. You do not want to perceive that your opinion and thoughts are higher than someone else's, this will deter people. We want to come from a side of acknowledgement, understanding, and caring. As with any topic, this is the best way to approach people.

Proactive. Proactive. Proactive.

In many ways our society is reactive, this includes the animal rescue world. If we only work on the foundation of reactivity then we can not reach a proactive style of change. Even though reactivity is needed in the rescue world it can not be our only means of creating change.

Since we are a 501c3 that networks with other 501c3 rescues and shelters we will NOT tolerate drama, gossip, speaking poorly of others, etc. At the end of the day we all are reaching towards the same goal. That means we need to promote and help each other. KRF is working towards breaking the barrier and the perception that rescues can not coordinate and work in unison together. We actually encourage that our volunteers work with, foster, etc with other rescues and get to know them.

If you come across an issue with a rescue or shelter please speak with a board member. Do NOT spread gossip among volunteers, the public, etc.

If you have an issue with an individual within or outside of the rescue please speak with a board member. Do NOT spread gossip, hate speech, etc among other volunteers, groups etc.

I understand and agree with the above statements.

I understand and agree to represent the rescue in a positive and respectable manner.

I understand and agree to refrain from drama, hate speech, derogatory language while volunteering and representing KRF.

I understand and agree that I may not bash, talk poorly of, etc about any other rescues, shelters, or veterinary hospitals while volunteering and representing KRF.

I understand and agree that I may not use derogatory language towards people (this includes people who may not share my opinions, ideology, etc) or the community while volunteering and representing KRF.

I understand and agree that I must uphold duties as a volunteer with diligence, respect, and in a professional manner.

I understand and agree when publishing or creating material for KRF that all information has been fact checked by credible resources. I understand and agree that I will not plagiarize any material.

I understand and agree that KRF supports other 501c3 mission statements as well as municipal shelters.

I understand and agree that regardless of my personal feelings towards a volunteer, board member, or founder of this or another organization that I will NOT participate in any gossip, hate speech, etc. towards the 501c3 organization or municipal shelter that they participate in.

I understand and agree that I may not place animals into new homes, environments, etc. and that only board members and designated personnel are able to place animals into new homes and approve adoptions.

I understand and agree that only KRF board members or other designated representative are able to intake animals under the rescue.

I understand and agree that KRF is not required to reimburse me any money contributions I may make to the rescue, this includes but is not limited to volunteer activities, gas, pet sitting, etc, unless otherwise spoken with and in written agreement with board member or KRF designated individual.

I understand and agree that I am volunteering my time to a 501c3 organization and will not be paid for my time, services, etc. I understand and agree that I will not always receive public recognition under the Kanoa Rescue Foundation name as this could be portrayed as self-promotion and be portrayed as non-altruistic in manner.

I understand and agree that I may not give unsolicited advice while at events, on our social media pages, as a representative of the rescue etc.

I understand and agree to not engage, promote, advertise, etc in human hate speech while volunteering and representing KRF.

I understand and agree that if I lack participation that I may be removed as a volunteer for KRF. I understand and agree that if I am not able to participate for a period of time that I will speak with a KRF board member that I would still like to be a part of the organization and will continue participation when able.

I understand and agree that I may be removed as a volunteer for ANY reason at the digression of the KRF board members.

I understand and agree that I am able to help other rescues and shelters. I understand that other volunteers may also participate in volunteering with other rescues and shelters.

I understand and agree that I can and will be removed for violating any of these agreements.

Please sign and date below that all the information that you have provided is true and that you acknowledge that this is a legally binding agreement.

Thanks for submitting!