HSVMA FIELD SERVICES SAFETY POLICY
Every effort is made to maintain volunteer safety during
HSVMA field expeditions. All volunteers must read, and
agree to comply with the HSVMA Field Services Safety Policy prior to participation.
Volunteers will sign a release at the start of each clinic
which includes a statement that they understand the safety
policies and rabies prevention protocol described here
and that they will provide their own medical insurance.
By participating in a HSVMA-RAVS clinic, you are agreeing to
release The Humane Society of the United States, its staff
and consultants, and the supervising veterinarians from
liability for injuries that may occur during the trip
or while traveling to the site.
Health Insurance
Volunteers will be required to have personal health insurance,
and to carry an insurance card on the trip. All volunteers
traveling outside of the United States are required to
purchase additional evacuation insurance. These policies
are inexpensive and will guarantee transportation back
to a U.S. hospital if a serious injury or illness occurs.
Rabies Prophylaxis
We recommend that all volunteers have previous
vaccination for rabies and a titer check within the past
two years. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to
have this done. Volunteers who have not been vaccinated
or do not have an acceptable titer will be able to handle
animals at clinics ONLY after signing a release of liability
form which places all responsibility for post-exposure
treatment and medical expenses related to the rabies exposure
on the volunteer.
If confronted with an animal who they feel poses a threat, volunteers are to alert the HSVMA-RAVS staff in charge of the clinic. Training materials including information on safe animal handling will be required reading for all volunteers prior to the clinic. At the start of all trips an orientation will be held including a talk on animal handling and bite prevention.
If a bite occurs, it is the volunteer’s responsibility to alert the veterinarian in charge immediately. HSVMA-RAVS personnel will make arrangements for the volunteer to receive medical care at a local medical clinic. The volunteer will be responsible for any charges incurred. The physician at the local clinic will make recommendations on post exposure rabies prophylaxis and wound treatment.
Volunteers in foreign countries must realize that medical care comparable to what is customary in the United States may not be readily available. For this reason all volunteers travelling outside the United States are required to purchase evacuation insurance.
Volunteers are informed that they must read all of the information posted on the HSVMA-RAVS website (www.ruralareavet.org) when they are accepted to a trip. Participation in HSVMA-RAVS' clinics implies that the volunteer has read and agrees to comply with the above guidelines.
