School Work Experience

Before applying for SCARS high school volunteer programs, please keep in mind:

• Minimum age for high school program participants is 14 years of age

• SCARS school programs are available to students enrolled in Australian Education Institutions, including registration through Distance Education. Placements can be coordinated through your school or by individual applicants, with parental/guardian consent.

• Whilst at the refuge you will rotate daily between the cattery and kennel departments

• Placement on all high school programs is at the discretion of SCARS. All successful applicants will be offered program placement based on their assessed readiness level for the program and availability.

• No placements can be guaranteed until after the application .

• Please do not pre-book or confirm a work experience placement with your school before confirmation of placement on a program is confirmed.

• It is important to note that all volunteers, including those participating in high school programs, should not have any expectation of direct animal interaction. This is due to a range of operational, legislative and safety guidelines and requirements; and animal welfare considerations.

Participation within these programs does not provide a guarantee of future volunteer program placement or employment.

If you have any questions or require further information/an application form, please contact the Volunteer coordinator at volunteercoordinator@sippycreek.com.au

• Be able to attend an in-person induction at 3pm on the Wednesday before commencing placement

• Be available 7am – 12pm Monday to Friday (own transport to and from SCARS)

• All Activities and individual participation will be at the discretion of SCARS and in accordance with participant readiness levels.

Activities may include, but not be limited to:

• assisting with enclosure cleaning (sweeping and scrubbing)

• Gardening (raking, weeding, scrubbing),

• Preparing meals and enrichment items, assisting with the dishes,

• Assisting with laundry (washing, hanging out linen, folding linen)

• Sorting through the many donations we receive daily.

Participants have the opportunity to gain a range of knowledge and experience within our cattery and kennel departments.

• Clothing is to be neat and clean

• Shorts must be lower than mid-thigh

• T-shirts or Long Sleeve shirts.

• No Singlets or Crop Tops

• Long Hair to be tied up

• No loose jewellery

• Enclosed flat shoes only. Please ensure they have grip and preferably are washable. If you require different footwear due to injury, please advise the Volunteer Coordinator (volunteercoordinator@sippycreek.com.au)

• Exercise clothing such as leggings and jeggings, are to be ¾ length or longer and dark in colour, either blue or black

• Name badge is to be worn at all times

• Respect for animals and an understanding of animal welfare

• Willingness and ability to follow instruction

• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team

• Respect for other volunteers and staff

• Appropriate communication skills

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Appreciation and tolerance for diversity

• Appreciation and respect for Refuge customers and visitors

A Dog and Cat Volunteer follows the guidance and instruction of the Team Leader, undertaking the tasks required to support and maintain the care and welfare of Refuge dogs. This role is vital to the day-to-day running of the Refuge as well as to its future sustainability.’

All volunteers may undertake these tasks, as designated by the Team Leader.

CATTERY

• Cat Kitchen – cleaning bowls, restocking food, cleaning floor and general area

• Litter Trays – cleaning and restocked

• Laundry – cleaning of laundry items and area

• Donations – assist with sorting items

• Maintenance – reporting maintenance needs to the Team Leader

• Cat Contact – spending time with and grooming cats as allocated by the Team Leader

KENNELS

• Dog Kitchen – cleaning bowls, restocking food, cleaning floor and general area

• Laundry – cleaning of laundry items and area

• Exercise Yards – dog faeces pick-up and cleaning water containers

• Donations – assist with sorting items

• Dog Volunteer Area – maintaining a clean and tidy environment

• Dog Contact – spending time with dogs allocated by Team Leader

In the event of injury while at the refuge please report it to your team leader immediately.

You will be shown where the emergency exits are and the emergency assembly area is located, in the event of an emergency please follow instructions from your team leader.