RAVS SAFETY POLICY
RAVS’ top priority is the health and wellbeing of our patients, clients, communities and team members. All volunteers must read and agree to comply with the RAVS 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 RAVS clinic, you are agreeing to release The Humane Society of the United States, The Fund for Animals, its staff and consultants, and the supervising professionals 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.
Rabies Prophylaxis
We recommend that all volunteers have previous vaccination for rabies and titer checks as recommended by your medical provider. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to have this done. Volunteers who have not been vaccinated 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 in the event of a bite or other potential rabies exposure on the volunteer.
If confronted with an animal who they feel poses a safety risk, volunteers are to alert the 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 Trip Leader in charge immediately. 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.
COVID-19 / Team Health
RAVS’ top priority is the health and wellbeing of our patients, clients, communities and team members.
Detailed COVID-19 safety protocols for RAVS field teams are updated regularly based on available information and current public health recommendations and will be shared with all team members in advance of each scheduled clinic. Safety protocols will be strictly enforced throughout the clinic.
In addition to following all current CDC recommendations for domestic travel, and abiding by all in-clinic protocols, all personnel are asked to strictly minimize potential exposure risk immediately prior to the clinic, to maintain strict personal safety protocols and minimize exposure to the greatest extent possible while traveling to the clinic, regardless of mode of travel.
Volunteers must read all of the information posted on the RAVS website (www.ruralareavet.org) when they are accepted to a trip. Participation in RAVS' clinics implies that the volunteer has read and agrees to comply with the above guidelines.