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Safety and Liability; For both rescues and volunteers
Topic Started: 5 Oct 2012, 12:42 (1,614 Views)
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All rescues should make sure that their employers' liability cover is up to date. Both paid and unpaid (ie volunteers) members of staff need adequate cover.

Public Liability cover should cover loss or injury caused by volunteers. In some instances a volunteer could be sued as an individual for damage caused to a third party, therefore the rescue's public liability insurance should indemnify them against this.

Further information can be found here:

Volunteering England You need to be a member to be able to view some of the documents on this site, but there is also a lot of free information.

Charity Commission - Charities and Insurance


For individuals offering to homecheck, etc

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust gives advice and information designed to keep you safe.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust wants to work with everyone in the community to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to provide positive practical guidance that makes people feel safer and more confident.

For individuals offering to foster

Satisfy yourself of the answers to the following questions and make sure you are happy with the rescue's policies before agreeing to take on an animal:

  • Does the rescue have full insurance cover for you, the dogs in your care and the premises where the dogs are kept (your own home)?
  • Will any damage caused by the foster animal to your home be covered by the rescue insurance? Or will you need to be covered under your contents insurance?
  • Does the rescue have insurance that covers any unfortunate incidents such as damage to another person or animal when in your care?
  • What and how are expenses associated with the animal paid? Who is expected to pay for what and how does the rescue pay? Would you be expected to pay and reclaim or does the rescue pay the vet directly for instance?
  • Where do the animals come from? Some rescues take in animals from the council pounds, or from members of the public, or from outside the UK, or a mixture
  • Is the rescue a charity registered with the Charities Commission? Is the rescue a not for profit company registered with Companies House?
  • Does the rescue neuter all their animals (unless there is a medical or behavioural reason not to)? At what age?
  • Does the rescue vaccinate all their animals?
  • Does the rescue microchip all their animals?
  • Does the rescue carry out homechecks?
  • How are the animals assessed?
  • Does the rescue offer back up for the life of the animal?
  • What training methods do they advocate?



Volunteering by Individuals not backed up by an Organisation/Rescue

There are inherent dangers to both individuals and volunteers when there is no backup from an organisation/rescue. There are risks involved for the animals, individual and family when inviting a stranger into the home or handing over an animal into that volunteer's (stranger's) care. It just isn't possible for individuals to check out potential volunteers fully, plus the volunteer has no way of knowing about the individual asking for assistance or the family members they have offered to help.

Most organisations have safeguards in place when recruiting volunteers, although nothing can be guaranteed completely risk free. They can ask for references from employers, vets, etc. before taking on a volunteer. They also have the backup of their colleagues if for any reason they are doubtful about the motives of the volunteer. Volunteers working with children have to undergo a police check before being taken on by an organisation. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent process for people undertaking the care of animals.


Please stay safe
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