Updated January 2018

1. WELCOME!
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with us!

2. The task of sheltering homeless dogs is not an easy
one and we are honored that you have decided to
donate your time with us.
You are joining a team of enthusiastic and
compassionate individuals, like yourself, who are
dedicated to caring for our rescued dogs, educating
the public about HHDR services and promoting
responsible pet ownership.
Again, on behalf of the entire staff at HHDR,
welcome to the team!

3. What is HHDR?
■ HHDR is a 501 (c) (3) non- profit organization funded by
donations, fundraisers and adoption fees, that works to
find forever homes for rescue dogs in the Central New York
area. HHDR is located at 6606 Kinne Road in Dewitt, NY.
While we have a very limited number of staff members,
HHDR is primarily a volunteer run rescue. HHDR would
simply not exist with out the overwhelming support of our
volunteers and this community.
■ Our Mission:
“Helping Hounds Dog Rescue provides a compassionate
approach to dog rescue by matching homeless dogs from
over crowded shelter systems with loving homes.”

4. Where do our rescue dogs come from?
■ We currently work with out of state rescue partners in Texas and Alabama. Many shelters have to euthanize
dogs on a daily basis due to overcrowding.
■ Our rescue partners go into the shelters and temperament test the “staff favorites.” Once they hand select
dogs for CNY, they are pulled from the high kill shelter. The lucky dogs begin a minimum of a two-week foster-
based preparation program. The dogs are socialized, vetted, evaluated, treated for any medical issues, and
most importantly loved!
■ Please note: Through this program HHDR can select from a large variety of breeds, ages and sizes, however,
we constantly watch the dogs in need in the Syracuse area and try to avoid transporting any that are similar
in age, breed and size.
Does HHDR take in local dogs?
■ While HHDR is committed to helping dogs from high kill shelters in Alabama and Texas, we also help within
our own community. We work with several local agencies, dog control offices, veterinary offices and the
public to take in local dogs in need. We often find that a dog that may have sat in a different local facility for
several months will find the exposure they need at HHDR to find a forever home.
■ PLEASE NOTE: HHDR is not a drop off location for local stray dogs. As much as we would like to help these
defenseless animals, proper procedures within our area must be followed.

5. How does HHDR find the best homes for
our dogs?
■ HHDR promotes and features our dogs
through Petfinder.com, our website
(www.helpinghoundsdogrescue.org), our very
active Facebook page, local adoption events,
television appearances and through our
large network of volunteers.
■ We informally evaluate each dog for
personality, temperament, activity level and
their training needs. The out of state dogs
also come with a detailed profile filled out by
their foster family. By taking these measures,
we are able to properly match each dog with
the most suitable home.

6. Does HHDR charge an adoption fee?
■ Yes, our adoption fee helps cover the spay/ neuter, age appropriate vaccinations,
microchip (in most cases), transport fees (when applicable), flea/ tick/ heartworm
preventative and the care of the animal while waiting to find a forever home. Please
keep in mind, the cost to rescue, fully vet, and care for a dog out weighs the
adoption fee.
Current Adoption Fees:
$300 – dogs 6 months +
$350 – dogs under the age of
6 months

7. Who can adopt from HHDR?
■ Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
■ Adoption applications must be filled out completely and
will be reviewed by our Adoption Coordinator.
■ If you own your home, we will verify this information with
your town’s assessment.
■ If you rent, we must get verbal permission from whoever
owns the property.
■ If you are looking to adopt a dog and already have
animals at home, we must speak with your vet to verify your animals are up to date with
current vaccinations and altered. We will also ask if your animals are seen for routine
check ups.
■ If you have another dog(s), they must meet before finalizing an adoption.
■ All members of the family must be present or have previously met the dog before
adoption.
■ All dogs will be spayed / neutered before leaving the shelter.

8. Is HHDR a “No Kill” Rescue?
■ HHDR does not euthanize for space or for time. We do not euthanize what our team
determines are adoptable animals.
■ We will euthanize when an animal requires medical treatment that goes beyond our
ability to humanely provide, or has a condition that puts other shelter animals or workers
at risk.
■ We will also choose euthanasia when an animal has negative behaviors, such as
unmanageable aggression towards people that goes beyond our ability to correct,
especially if that behavior presents a safety concern to a potential adopter or to the
community. We have a multi-step process involved in this decision. A trainer or multiple
trainers are always to be consulted, a foster placement is considered or searched for, a
behavior modification program is implemented and off site “breaks” from the shelter like
environment are provided.
■ We feel strongly that it is NOT responsible to place a potentially dangerous animal in the
community. While we understand people believe there is a “perfect home” out there for
every dog, we ask you to consider that that perfect home may be next door to a family
with young kids or a family dog that is unaware that some dogs are extremely aggressive
toward other animals.
■ The staff and volunteers of HHDR are always notified when a dog is euthanized. We will
never make any attempts to hide the facts. For example, in 2013, only six dogs were
humanly euthanized due to unpredictable behavior. This is less than 1 percent of the
1042 dogs adopted that year.

9. A day in the life of an HHDR Dog:
■ At 7am our staff and opening shift volunteers show up. The dogs have been waiting all night and
are eager to get out. Once all the dogs have gone out, we feed them and then we begin with first
longer walks of the day.
■ Throughout the day volunteers come in and walk/socialize with the dogs and assist with cleaning
tasks. At 3:30pm we feed the dogs again.
■ At 7pm we start last walks for the dogs and get them
tucked in for the night. We do our best to ensure that the
dogs are well cared for, with clean kennels/bedding, fresh
water and of course lots of quality time with our volunteers
outside their kennels.
■ We encourage volunteers to play with the dogs, sit and pet
them and provide a loving environment. No matter how
much we try to make the rescue like a home, it is only
meant to be temporary. Our goal is to find loving homes
for each of the dogs that come through our door and our
volunteers are key to making their stay with us as positive
as possible.

10. Volunteer Philosophy
■ Helping Hounds Dog Rescue believes that the well being of the organization and the well
being of its staff, both paid and volunteer, are interconnected. HHDR is dedicated to the
belief that one of its most valued assets is its volunteer staff.
■ Our commitment is to recruit people without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age,
national origin, disability, veteran status or sexual preference; to reward them properly; to
ensure that every volunteer is treated with dignity and respect and in a fair, consistent
and equitable manner, to create a stimulating and supportive atmosphere in which they
may work; and to aid and encourage them in the realization of their full potential.
■ We recognize that the success of this philosophy depends in large measure on the
manner in which all volunteers carry out their obligations to each other and to
HHDR. Unless our volunteers and staff have a feeling of mutual confidence and loyalty,
as well as respect for each other as human beings, our philosophy will not work.

11. General Volunteer Responsibilities
All volunteers are expected to maintain certain standards in relation to their work, and in
representing themselves as volunteers of HHDR. More specifically, all volunteers should:
■ Communicate constructive ideas and opinions to the Volunteer Coordinator, either
voluntarily or when requested.
■ Employ the highest standards of ethics and integrity in their work and in representing
Helping Hounds.
■ Comply with policies and procedures.
■ Track volunteer hours.
■ Most volunteers support HHDR by providing the
daily care for the dogs, such as walking and
socializing, helping with cleaning tasks and
working with the public.
■ We do have other volunteer opportunities,
including helping with events, clerical projects
and I Speak Doggie. Details on these
opportunities can be obtained from the
Volunteer Coordinator.

12. Volunteer Requirements/Policies
■ All volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Volunteers
14-17 y/o need parental permission in order to
volunteer. No one under 14 years old will be allowed to
accompany another volunteer (even if they are not directly
handling a dog).
■ All volunteers must commit to at least 6 hours per month
for a minimum of 6 months.
■ If a volunteer is to be assisted by a coach/mentor, then
both the volunteer and the coach/mentor must go through
the orientation process.
■ No one is allowed to accompany a volunteer unless they
have gone through the training process

13. Volunteer Policies
Shelter Hours and Holidays
■ While HHDR may not be open to the public on holidays, our dogs do need care. If a
volunteer is available on a holiday, we encourage them to sign up for their desired
shift(s).
■ Regular Hours are 7am to 8pm everyday. We are open to the public Tuesday to Sunday,
Noon to 6pm.
Dress Code
■ Dress appropriately. Closed toe, flat shoes are required. No flip-flops or
sandals. Clothing should be comfortable and something you do not mind getting dirty.
■ For safety, clothing should appropriately cover the body. No mid-drift shirts, low cut tops,
short-shorts, muscle shirts, short skirts, etc. Jewelry should be simple and not dangling,
pierced jewelry should be worn close to the body so as not to pose a safety hazard.
■ Body piercings (if any) must be discreet in nature. Please avoid strong perfumes or
colognes. If tattoos are deemed offensive, they must be covered.

14. Mobile Phone/Device Policy
■ While volunteering your attention should be on the task at hand. In
some cases the safety of others and our dogs could be at risk if you
are distracted.
■ Please do not make phone calls or text
while walking the dogs.

15. Dog Signage/Color-code Definitions
Refers to sign on/near dog crate.
■ Yellow
– Dogs with a sound temperament
– Low-medium energy level
– Confident, social, handles their environment
without fear
■ Blue
– Dogs with high energy levels
– Reactive to the environment or fearful
– Lacking in social skills and/or poor manners
■ STAFF ONLY
– Dogs that are not yet vaccinated
– Extremely fearful/stressed/chance of biting
– Dogs that have just transferred to our program from a local facility and are being
assessed

16. Lanyard Policy
Volunteers must wear their lanyard at all times while volunteering. If your lanyard is lost or ruined,
please ask staff to assist with replacing it.
Lanyard colors are defined as:
■ Green - New volunteers who have gone through the cleaning training, or community service
volunteers, will get a green lanyard.
– No dog contact
– Cleaning and maintenance tasks only.
■ White – All new volunteers who have gone through the
Dog Handling Training will be given a white lanyard and
are able to work with yellow coded dogs

17. Lanyard Policy
■ Yellow – volunteers who have at least 30 hours walking dogs, can walk dogs with yellow
signs
■ Blue – volunteers who have gone through additional training and can work with dogs with
blue signs.
– Blue Lanyard trainings are offered
during the warmer months and are
open to any volunteer that has 60 or
more hours walking dogs and comes in
regularly
■ Red – Our Trainers/BAT Team – they teach
the beginning trainings as well as workshops
throughout the year

18. Facebook /Social Media Policy
We understand everyone's enthusiasm and excitement about all the good things we do
as a team at Helping Hounds. Facebook certainly plays a vital role in getting out our
messages, telling our happy stories, promoting our events and even strengthening bonds
of friendship amongst the HHDR family.
With that said, however, we would like to share a few ground rules as occasionally social
media tools are used in a way that has unintended consequences that are not helpful in
our mission.
The following are some basic "rules" that we
ask you follow when posting on behalf of or
about Helping Hounds. It is not all-inclusive,
but rather a starting point to remind you that
even on Facebook you are representing the
organization and your comments, thoughts
and opinions that are shared do influence
our image and reputation.

19. Facebook /Social Media Policy
■ Please do not announce adoptions before they are made official through the HHDR page. Once
we have made the announcement and the adoption is official, feel free to celebrate and share.
■ Please do not post photos of newly surrendered dogs before they are added to our Petfinder
Page or without permission from the Director. Newly surrendered dogs may have sensitive
stories that cannot immediately be made public. Be patient. When the time is right, we will
profile the dog for adoption.
■ When the dog is officially available, please feel free to share him/her often!
■ Do not cross post information or pictures on to Craigslist or any other website on behalf of
HHDR
■ We may not choose to publicize some of our policies seeing as they may change or vary from
dog to dog. Please do not answer other peoples posts on our page regarding 'how much" or
"what is your policy on?" Please refer them to our website or refer to staff to address specific
questions.

20. Facebook /Social Media Policy
■ Please do not discuss any dog traits or characteristics that may diminish the dog's chances
of adoption. ie..."he is really hard to walk on a leash", "she is crazy", or "he is going to need a
ton of training”
– If you have concerns about the behavior of any of our dogs, please talk to a staff
member.
■ You may be privy to information learned while volunteering
at the rescue. Please do not share sensitive information via
Facebook. If you are in doubt, don't post. Ask.
We appreciate your understanding and following these rules of
the road. As our number of "friends" increases, we must be
aware of the tone and content of comments and postings.

21. Thank you for your attention!
We cannot thank you enough for your interest in sharing your time with HHDR. We
could not provide the quality service we do to our dogs and the community without our
enthusiastic and compassionate volunteers. We look forward to working with you.
“Saving just one dog won’t change the world, but surely the world will change for that
one dog.”
– Unknown