HKDR Orientation Quiz

What are the steps to becoming a volunteer?

1. Register online

2. Book an orientation class

3. Watch the new volunteer video

4. Pass a quiz with at least 80%

5. Complete orientation class (and receive a blue volunteer t-shirt from instructors)

6. Complete first shift within the required period

If you register to volunteer for APL Homing Center, can you volunteer at the TP Center?

No, but if a volunteer wants to help at another center, they can re-apply for orientation.

Who and when was HKDR founded?

Sally Anderson, 2003

What type of enclosure is each Homing Center? What type of dogs do they house, and how many?

APL: indoor with 20-30 small-sized dogs, TP: indoor with 400 medium/large-sized dogs

How many dogs are rehomed every year?

500

What are the 3 R’s?

Rescue, Rehab, Rehome

How many dogs are rescued per year? Where are they rescued from?

400-500 dogs are rescued per year from AFCD Government Kennels

What is the Government’s policy for stray dogs?

• Catch and Kill policy: dogs in Government Kennels will be euthanised if not claimed by organisations before a deadline

• Includes: strays, abandoned pets, village dogs, puppies from non-desexed dogs from construction sites, dogs from closing shelters, animal cruelty cases

What happens during Rehabilitation of dogs?

1. Rescued dogs are taken to the vet for a basic body check upon arrival at HC

2. Vaccinated against rabies and common canine diseases

3. Desex surgery is arranged when the dog is old/fit enough

   • Special health condition dogs get proper medical treatment/surgeries

What are some problems during rehabilitation of dogs and their solutions?

• Physical and mental health of dogs is difficult to maintain, for instance, dogs that grew up in HC may not receiving adequate socialising and do not trust humans.

• Trust can be built via daily interactions such as walks and toilet training, which increases their adoption chance.

How does HKDR ensure rehomed dogs are happy?

Strict adoption policies:

• Ask interested families about their living situation, experience, and lifestyle to see if they are suitable to care for a dog

• Families who adopt a dog receive free training support from professional trainers to help the dog adapt to the new environment

What policy does HKDR have which differs from the Government?

• No-kill Promise: no set euthanisation deadline for dogs even if they do not get adopted for a long period of time

• Euthanisation is only considered in extreme circumstances (eg if dog has an incurrable disease)

What other projects does HKDR run?

• Educational talks for students (kindergarten —> university) and private groups

• Training courses for owners and dogs to participate together where they teach positive training methods

What are the responsibilities of new volunteers?

1. Follow rules and instructions by staff

2. Use charity resources consciously

3. Treat dogs with respect (or you will ruin their trust and positive training methods)

4. It is the volunteers’ responsibility to walk dogs and ensure everyone’s safety

5. Do not accept new dogs on behalf of HKDR (all dogs are taken in with permission by founder)

What are the roles of new volunteers?

• Walk dog (primarily)

• Cleaning up, moving supplies

• Feeding, bathing, grooming duties (for more experienced volunteers)

• Design, photography, event management, fundraising, IT, accounting

• Speading the word about pet adoption and promoting HKDR

What to remember when arriving at HC?

• Only registered volunteers are allowed to enter living areas and walk dogs

  • Wear the blue volunteer t-shirt on arrival so staff can recognise you

  • Do not bring non-registered people inside

• Sign in every time you arrive at the center (name and contact number)

What to remember when walking dog?

• Only walk the dogs that the staff thinks you can handle

• Do not walk nervous dogs or dogs with behavioural problems

• Keep dogs on leash at all times unless in a confined dog park

• Must watch park gates and dog interactions if unleashed inside the park

• Do not feed treats anywhere, especially those with special diets/health conditions

  • Can trigger dog fights, injuries, and cause diarrhea

What clothing should you wear when walking dogs, other than the blue volunteer t-shirt?

Long pants/jeans/pants will multiple pockets + trainers

What should you bring for yourself when walking dogs?

Insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, drinking water

Dual-gate “air-lock” prevents dogs slipping out? How does it work?

• Open first gate —> close it shut

• When opening second gate, block dogs with foot —> close it quickly

What should you do when a dog escapes into the “air-lock”?

Put dog on leash and guide them back inside, then take the leash off

What does the dog colour system show?

How easy it is for new volunteers to walk those dogs

What does it mean when a dog is green?

The dog is easy for new volunteers to handle, they are calm and friendly to strangers.

What does it mean when a dog is yellow?

The dog is nervous to strangers, and can only be walked by experienced volunteers.

What does it mean when a dog is red?

The dog has behavioural problems, and can only be walked by staff/experienced volunteers.

Can dogs of the different “colour” live in the same enclosure?

Yes. If unsure, ask staff for colour before walking dog.

• Some dogs may have special notes such as “does not like male volunteers”

What to do when greeting a dog?

• Bend down and make a funny noise to attrach their attention

• If dog approaches, let them sniff first

• New volunteers should only pet neck/chin/chest area if the dog is relaxed

What to NOT do when greeting a dog?

• DO NOT lean over them —> dogs may feel stressed and leave

• DO NOT force a greeting when the dog looks impatiant/alert/stiff

• DO NOT pet sensitive parts (back, bottom, stomach)

Why is it important to walk dogs?

• Increases adoption chance

• Builds trust with humans

• Dogs learn to walk on leash comfortably

• Increases exposure to community (strangers, cars, sounds)

• Exploring outside is good for their physical and mental health

Should you walk a dog anywhere you want?

No, each HC has its own walking route (15 - 20 mins) that will be introduced to new volunteers. New volunteers are only allowed to walk the HC route.

Should you only walk your favourite dog?

No, it is important to provide walk time for other dogs. It is important for their socialisation.

How many dogs can you walk at a time?

Maximum 1 for new volunteers, maximum 2 for experienced volunteers and no more.

How to choose a leash?

• Volunteers should choose a leash based on personal preference and dog size

  • A large dog with more pull may need a thicker leash vs a small dog

  • Choose leash comfort, length, condition, width etc

How do you use the leash?

• Walkable dogs in HC all have collars (no collar = too nervous for walk)

• Leash should be hooked and secured to collar + harness

Name 2 types of collars and their uses

• Fixed-length —> easy for dogs to slip out when frightened —> pair with harness

• Adjustable —> have a loop so it is less easy for dogs to slip out

How do you know what size and tightness is best for collars?

A collar fits when it is not loose around the neck, and 2 fingers can fit inside the collar.

When do you use a harness on a dog?

• Dogs wearing fixed-length collars should use a harness

• Dogs that pull the leash should use a harness (pressure on collar = chocking)

• Dogs that walk steady can go collar-only

• If dog does not like to be touched (hence difficulty wearing harness) go collar-only

What are the benefits of harnesses and what types of harnesses are there?

• Harnesses can evenly distribute pressure onto the chest, back and stomach

• 2 types —> back-clipped (small dogs) and front-clipped (large dogs) eg EasyWalk

How do you help a dog wear a front-clipped harness?

• 2 colours on the harness (coloured and non-coloured)

• The coloured part goes around the head

• The non-coloured part goes behind the front legs

What is the correct way to wear a harness and leash?

• Harness should be a sideways T with front chest strap above the shoulders

• Leash should be secured to the collar AND harness lock

  

It is important to keep clean in residential areas. What items do you need for a walk?

• Poo bags

• Spray head water bottle

What should you do when walking dogs? What are the consequences?

• Avoid occupying the entire road/walking in the middle

• Avoid roads with too many people (be considerate of pedestrians)

• Act as a human barrier between dog and people/cars —> keep everyone safe

• Do not greet other dogs outside (or from other HKDR enclosure) —> avoid fights

• Pay attention to dog as they may eat items from the group or pump into others

• Consequences may include complaints about HKDR —> eviction

What should you pay attention to regarding the dog?

• If dog is walking strangely, has injuries, or diarrhea —> report to staff

• If dog is nervous use front-clipped harness + collar and leash both

What should you do if the dog runs away?

• DO NOT chase —> dogs may become more scared or think it is a game

• Kneel down and make funny noise to attach dog —> re-attach the leash

• If dog does not come back, calmy follow them to track their location

• If dog cannot be seen report to staff or inform other volunteers

• If other volunteer’s runaway dog runs past, step on the leash or block its way

What should you do after a walk?

• Return the dog to its designated enclosure

  • If dog enters the wrong enclosure with unfamiliar dogs fights may occur

• Tick the name of the dog on the dog-walk sheet to signify it has been walked

• If a dog has not been ticked in either AM/PM slot then walk that dog next

  • Prioritise TT (toilet-trained) dogs as they will not soil enclosure