Online Membership Form

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

(Applicant to keep)

FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS

• ‘Family’ membership is open to applicants of who reside in the same household. • If your application is accepted under a ‘family’ membership, all family members are welcome to attend General Meetings, but only one vote per family can be cast.

OTHER INFORMATION

• If your application is accepted, your name(s) and address, as provided above, must be recorded in a register of members and be made available to other members, upon request, under section 27 of the Associations Incorporation Act.

• If your application is accepted you are entitled to inspect and make a copy of the register of members under section 27 of the

• Associations Incorporation Act.

• If the obligations under the Associations Incorporation Act are not complied with the Association can be wound up.

• You can contact the Association by email admin@midwestcatshelter.com or by phone on 0487 193 244

• You can access or correct personal information (your name and address) by contacting the Association as indicated above.

• If your application is accepted you are entitled to inspect and make a copy of the rules (constitution) of the association undersection 28 of the Associations Incorporation Act.

• If your application for membership is rejected by the Board: You may give notice of your intention to appeal within 14 days of being advised of the rejection (rule 5(4)). The Association in a general meeting, no later than the next annual general meeting, must confirm or set aside the decision of the Board rejecting your application, after giving you a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to make written representations to the general meeting (rule 5(5)).

Volunteer Policy

INTRODUCTION

MWCS is heavily reliant upon volunteers to promote and support the Association and care for the cats, in the form of both voluntary hours and in some cases, the use of their own funds, ie transportation, foster care.

POLICY STATEMENT

MWCS recognises the value of our volunteers and their achievements. We believe volunteers should be recognised for their contribution and offered opportunities to up-skill and develop proficiency across a variety of areas within the organisation.

GUIDELINES

• All volunteers will be required to become association members and fill in an application form, including personal details and contact details.
• Volunteers will be covered by the organisation’s insurance while participating in Association activities.
• Volunteers should receive an induction and ongoing mentoring and support in their roles, as well as opportunities for further training.
• Volunteers should be made to feel part of the ‘team’ through internal training, acknowledgement and appreciation
• Volunteers will receive public recognition where possible.
• Volunteers are expected to adhere to the “Code of Conduct” for all association members

Foster Carer Guidelines and Agreement

Foster Carers make a commitment to care for the cat and/or kittens from the time they take them in, until they are adopted. This can vary from a few weeks to a few months.

As a Foster Carer you are expected to feed and care for the foster cat/kitten in much the same way you would your own. You are expected to provide food, fresh water and cat litter on a daily basis as well as worming and flea treatments at appropriate intervals. Initial flea and worm treatments are administered at Sanford Veterinary Clinic before you collect the cat/kitten. Future worming and flea treatments are available from Sanford Veterinary Clinic upon request, for foster cats only, as they are due. Food, litter and toy donations are received regularly and offered up for volunteers to take. Please do not be shy when accepting donations! Please ensure your foster cats have food and water available, litter trays and maybe a cat toy or two.

Foster carers will be notified, via the closed Facebook group “Mid West Cat Shelter Volunteers:, when your foster is due for veterinary treatment such as sterilization or vaccinations. You will need to make the appointment to fit in with your schedule and quote your foster cat’s number (NOT NAME) with you for all vet appointments.

If you are going away on holidays and cannot find care for the cat/kitten please provide as much notice as possible, so that MWCS can arrange care. If you have arranged for somebody to look after your foster while you are on holidays, please notify MWCS with the name and phone number of the person providing care in case we need to contact them.

If you decide you would like to adopt a cat/kitten then you are subject to the same requirements and fees as any other potential adopter. The cat/kitten will not be held, and will be considered available until paperwork is completed and payment is made.

Remember to stay in touch and ask questions if you have any problems.

• Mid West Cat Shelter is responsible for the initial vet check, flea and worm treatments so the cat goes to the foster carer in good health.
• MWCS will cover veterinary costs for the cat/kitten.
• All veterinary work outside of vaccinations, sterilisation or microchip, must be pre-approved by MWCS. Any out of hours emergency care will be undertaken by MWCS’ on call veterinarian.
• MWCS will allow the foster carer access to the MWCS Volunteers closed group to gain/share info and advice with other carers and volunteers.
• Once photos have been received from the foster carer, MWCS will advertise the cat/kitten on our Facebook and web site, to promote the cat/kitten at any opportunity.
• In becoming a foster carer, I agree to care for the cat/kitten in line with the above guidelines and in addition I recognise the ownership of the cat/kitten will remain with MWCS until they are adopted. I will not pass the care of the cat on to any other person (with the exception of holiday care, as above) and will return the cat/kitten immediately to MWCS upon request of MWCS.