I understand that volunteering at Lincoln Terrace Park Cats, Inc (LTPC) may require me to come in contact with animals, and that there are risks associated with my volunteer activities, including but not limited to cat bites and/or scratches. I assume the risks and accept personal liability for any damages that might occur as a result of my volunteer activities with LTPC. I release LTPC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers (Released Parties), from any and all claims I may have, or which may hereafter accrue 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 LTPC and volunteers, from and against all claims and demands whatsoever that may arise out of my volunteer activities.

1. Voluntary Acknowledgement and Participation.

I acknowledge that I have voluntarily agreed to serve as a volunteer for LTPC, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, whose mission is to actively rescue cats, perform TNRM (trap, neuter, return, monitor) services,  provide quality care, and offer sanctuary until loving homes can be found for friendly cats. I offer to perform as a volunteer of my own volition. No one has demanded that I participate in any activity with LTPC.

2. Nature and Scope of Services. As a volunteer, I agree to contribute my time and effort to various areas of LTPC and to performing a wide range of Services (collectively, the “Services”). The Services will be performed by me as assigned by an officer or director of  LTPC or by a volunteer coordinator. In the course of performing the Services, I agree:

• That all animals trapped or rescued with LTPC are the property of LTPC and shall not be sold, given away, fostered, rehomed or adopted out without prior approval of authorized personnel;

• That all medical treatment (veterinary or in house) will have prior authorization by my supervisor;

• To abide by all directives given to me by my supervisor;

• To complete any required orientation, training, and paperwork relating to my volunteer position;

• To stay in regular communication with my supervisor and immediately update them regarding any medical or behavioral changes of cats in my care

• To adhere to Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) holding schedules and be in continual communication with my supervisor regarding a TNR cat’s status and release;

• To provide as much notice as possible to my supervisor if I am unable to attend a meeting or volunteer activity that I agreed to perform;

• To disclose any physical or psychological limitations to appropriate staff before participating in any volunteer activity. Because I may be interacting with animals, both healthy and sick, of differing temperaments, and may be lifting, carrying, moving, or otherwise engaging in physical labor, I will be respectful of my own limitations (physically, emotionally and mentally) and will inform staff immediately of any such limitations.

• To treat all LTPC staff, volunteers, and animals, with respect and kindness. I will also take steps to protect and preserve all LTPC property, tools, and equipment, and shall promptly return all LTPC property to LTPC when my volunteer relationship ends.

• That my participation as an LTPC volunteer can be discontinued by me or by LTPC at any time, for any reason, or no reason. I will do my best to provide a minimum of 2 weeks notice if I am not able to continue my participation as a volunteer. 

3. Volunteer/No Compensation. I understand and agree that I am a volunteer of LTPC and not an employee, agent, independent contractor, or representative, and that I shall not hold myself out as having any other relationship with LTPC other than as a volunteer. This Agreement does not constitute a partnership, joint venture, agency, employee/employer, or any other similar relationship between LTPC and me. I agree to be supervised by LTPC staff or its designee, and will directly report to my LTPC supervisor (or designee) any problems that may arise. I agree to provide my Services without any pay, compensation or benefits.

4. Responsibility for My Own Acts and Omissions. I hereby agree to be legally and financially responsible and will indemnify and hold the LIncoln Terrace Park Cats Inc harmless for my own acts and omissions relating to the service I am voluntarily providing to LTPC. I acknowledge that I am responsible for providing my own medical, liability, and auto insurance during my volunteer service. I understand that I am not covered by workers compensation nor insured by LTPC during the performance of my volunteer duties and tasks, including when driving a vehicle or transporting an animal. I authorize LTPC to seek emergency medical treatment for me in case of accident, injury, or illness. If I am injured while acting as a volunteer, I shall immediately report any injuries to my supervisor.

5. Assumption of Risk. I am voluntarily participating in the activities of LTPC with full knowledge of the risks and dangers involved, and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury, death,or damage to myself and/or my personal property. As a volunteer, I may come into contact with and interact with animals, and such work entails risk of personal injury or death due to proximity to animals, dangerous equipment, driving, and other considerations. These include, but are not limited to, being bitten, clawed, tripped, and possibly exposed to zoonotic diseases.

6. Photo, Video and Audio Release. I understand that as a volunteer of the LTPC, I may be recorded on film, video or other electronic recording media. I hereby consent to such recording and to the use by LTPC of any recorded images or other media recordings of my name and likeness (“A-V Recordings”) for any purpose related to furtherance of the objectives of LTPC, including use in LTPC media properties such as its website and social media pages. In particular, I grant LTPC permission to copyright and use, reuse, publish, and republish A-V Recordings, without restriction as to changes or alterations, for art, advertising, trade, or any other purpose. Further, I understand that all work product I create in my capacity as a volunteer for LTPC will be the property of LTPC, and that LTPC will have the sole right to use, sell, license, publish, or transfer any such work product, in any and all media formats, including print, mechanical, and electronic formats. I will disclose any such work product to LTPC and hereby assign all rights thereto to LTPC, and shall sign any legal or other necessary documents promptly upon request.

7. Confidentiality. During my association with LTPC and thereafter, I will keep confidential, refrain from disclosing to others, and use only in the performance of my volunteer duties, all confidential information of LTPC that I develop or learn about during the course of my association with LTPC. I understand that this agreement covers all confidential business and technical information, and know-how, of or about LTPC which is not generally known to persons outside of LTPC and which I have not been specifically authorized to disclose or use. Examples of confidential information include, but are not limited to, information on finances, membership and donors, volunteer performance, research and development, the medical and other condition or behavior of shelter animals, euthanasia decisions, campaigns, outreach programs, the identity or personal information of an adopter, potential adopter, or person whose record is otherwise accessible to me, credit card information, and information received from others that LTPC has agreed to keep confidential. 

8. Social Media Policy. I agree that I will not share any photographs of any LTPC animal that is not already publicly available, with any third parties, including over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media channel.

9. Release. I hereby release, indemnify and hold harmless LTPC, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any and all claims, damages, and liability arising from or related to my activities as an LTPC volunteer under this Agreement, or for any negligent act or omission by LTPC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers. In connection with my activities as an LTPC volunteer, I further agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify LTPC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all claims, damages, and liability arising from my riding as a passenger in any motor vehicle owned or leased by LTPC and operated by an employee or authorized agent of LTPC.

10. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the volunteer services that I provide to LTPC shall be adjudicated by arbitration before the American Arbitration Association by a single arbitrator in the State of New York Judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the award.

11. Term of Agreement. I acknowledge that this agreement will apply to the entire term of my volunteer relationship, starting with the date I first perform volunteer duties for LTPC, even if it pre-dates the date of this agreement, and continuing as long as I continue to be a volunteer and thereafter as is necessary to protect the interests and rights of LTPC arising herein, including, without limitation, with respect to confidentiality.

12. Governing Law. This agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.