Volunteer Waiver & Release Agreements

Volunteer & Youth Program Participant Agreement

All of us at Marin Humane are deeply grateful for the vital services contributed by our caring volunteers and youth program participants (referred to herein as “volunteers”). Our Volunteer Program has become an important and integral part of the organization. On behalf of the animals that you help every day, thank you for contributing your precious time and energy, and for helping create an organization of which we can all be truly proud.

As a volunteer, you will need to read and sign the following General Agreement and Waivers before you can participate as a volunteer. If you have any questions about these, please contact the Director of Volunteer Services.

General Agreement

I understand and agree to the following 11 items:

  1. I authorize Marin Humane to seek emergency medical treatment for me in case of accident, injury or illness.
  2. I understand that if I am injured while acting as an unpaid member of the volunteer staff, California State worker’s Compensation Laws do not cover me.
  3. I understand that because I may handle animals, it is important to discuss the animal-related vaccinations with my physician.
  4. I agree to abide by the policies and procedures presented in the handouts I received at the volunteer orientation & training meetings.
  5. I understand that all Marin Humane records, including those regarding previous and new animal guardians, are to be kept confidential.
  6. I will take my ideas, constructive comments, suggestions, and criticisms directly to the Manager of the program in which I volunteer, and I agree to be supervised by the Program Manager.
  7. If I experience communication problems or other issues with employees and other volunteers, I will discuss them with the Program Manager as soon as possible.
  8. I commit to work for at least six months. I agree to work a minimum of two hours per week (or as outlined in my job description.) In many cases, volunteer work is scheduled for the same time and day each week.
  9. I agree to be personally responsible for all transit to and from the Marin Humane.
  10. I understand that if I exhibit behaviors considered by Marin Humane staff to be dangerous to myself, to the animals and/or to other volunteers, employees, or citizens, that I may be removed from the program.
  11. I further understand that if I am under 18 years of age, there will be a staff supervisor onsite at all times while participating in work activities at Marin Humane.

General Waiver and Release

I agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Marin Humane, its officers, directors, employees and other volunteers for any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, liabilities, settlement agreements, damages, expenses and suits of law or in equity to my personal property that arise out of my performing services for Marin Humane.

I recognize that in handling animals while performing services for Marin Humane, there is an inherent risk of injury including, but not limited to, personal physical harm. On behalf of myself, my heirs, assignees, guardians, and personal and legal representatives and. executors, I hereby release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Marin Humane, its officers, directors, employees and other volunteers for any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, liabilities, settlement agreements, damages, and expenses connected with my services to Marin Humane or my Volunteer Agreement whether caused directly or indirectly by any negligence (active or passive) attributable to Marin Humane, its officers, directors, employees or volunteers.

In connection with this release, I expressly waive the provisions of the California Civil Code, section 1542, which provides as follows:

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time or executing the release, which if known to him or her must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.

I understand that public relations are an important part of volunteering at Marin Humane. I therefore agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, assignees, guardians, and personal and legal representatives, and executors to allow Marin Humane to use any and all photographic images and video/audio recordings of or by me made in connection with activities conducted by or at Marin Humane, to be used solely for program documentation and/or publicity purposes without payment. Marin Humane will use reasonable efforts to notify me, but such notification is not an expressed or implied condition to use.

I understand that if I exhibit behaviors considered by Marin Humane staff to be dangerous to myself, to the animals and/or to other volunteers, employees, or citizens, that I may be removed from the program. I further understand that if I am under 18 years of age, there will be a staff supervisor onsite at all times while participating in work activities at Marin Humane.

Waiver of State Compensation Benefit

Under our Workers’ Compensation policy, Marin Humane volunteers are not classified as “employees” and are therefore ineligible for Workers’ Compensation coverage for injuries that might be sustained while volunteering for Marin Humane. Marin Humane strongly recommends that each volunteer maintain her/his own medical insurance.

If a volunteer is injured performing a Marin Humane volunteer job, a Marin Humane Accident and Personal Injury Report must be completed as soon as possible following the injury, whether or not the volunteer intends to seek medical care. If the volunteer receives medical care, s/he should use their personal medical providers per her/his personal insurance coverage. S/he should submit receipts for out-of-pocket costs (such as deductibles and co-pays) to the organization’s Finance Department within 10 days of the injury for review and possible reimbursement.

Tetanus Waiver

Marin Humane feels it is important for all volunteers to be current on their tetanus vaccination if they will be handling animals as a Marin Humane volunteer. If a volunteer has questions about the tetanus vaccination, s/he is encouraged to consult a physician, at the volunteer’s own expense, to decide whether or not to be vaccinated against tetanus.

I have read, understood and agree to the above tetanus waiver, Furthermore, I release Marin Humane from all responsibility that may occur because of my not being vaccinated against tetanus and I understand that whatever decision I make regarding a tetanus vaccination is at my own risk.

Rabies Waiver

Although rabies is not common in Marin County, Marin Humane receives stray domestic and wildlife animals with unknown histories. Volunteers are encouraged to discuss the pre-exposure rabies vaccination series with a physician, at their own expense, prior to making a decision on whether or not to pursue this vaccination series.

I have read, understand and agree to the above rabies waiver. Furthermore, I release Marin Humane from all responsibility that may occur because of my not pursuing the pre-exposure rabies vaccination series and I understand that whatever decision I make regarding this vaccination is at my own risk.