Published: November 13, 2026
Everyone who visits, volunteers, attends an event, or represents Cotton Branch Refuge Project shares responsibility for a respectful and safe refuge. These expectations apply on our property, during off-site activities, and in communications connected with our work. A volunteer role, visit, or donation does not override animal welfare or another person's dignity.
Respect and belonging
Treat residents, staff, volunteers, other visitors, and neighbors with care. Follow our Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Policy and Harassment, Discrimination & Anti-Retaliation Policy. Respect names and pronouns, personal space, privacy, and boundaries. Threats, slurs, bullying, sexual harassment, exploitation, and retaliation are prohibited.
Raise questions or disagreements calmly. Follow a staff direction needed for immediate safety, then use an appropriate reporting route if you disagree with how the situation was handled. No one is expected to remain in an unsafe situation to resolve a disagreement.
Follow the visit or volunteer plan
- Arrange visits and volunteer participation through the published process. Stay in authorized areas, follow signage, and respect closed gates and restricted spaces.
- Complete the orientation and training required for your role. Use suitable clothing, footwear, protective equipment, tools, and hygiene practices.
- Accept only tasks within your training and physical capabilities. Ask for clarification or an accommodation before attempting an unsafe task.
- Tell the responsible leader promptly about an injury, illness affecting safe participation, damaged equipment, escaped animal, unsafe condition, or significant incident.
- Do not attend or perform tasks while impaired. Weapons or hazardous items require any legally necessary authorization and the refuge's prior agreement.
Animal interactions
Follow caregiver instructions and let animals choose whether to approach. Do not chase, climb on, restrain, tease, wake, or crowd a resident. Never enter an enclosure, open a gate, feed treats, introduce an outside animal, or handle medication without specific authorization. Do not remove an animal or promise a placement.
Respect an animal's retreat and a caregiver's decision to end an interaction. Children must remain under the agreed adult supervision. Animals' wellbeing takes priority over a photo, timetable, visitor expectation, or donation.
Photography, information, and representation
Ask before photographing or recording identifiable people. Do not publish private care records, donor information, application details, addresses, credentials, or another person's personal story. Follow our Ethical Storytelling, Photography & Consent Policy, including restrictions on graphic material and misleading edits.
Only authorized people may make commitments, speak for Cotton Branch, use its accounts, solicit gifts on its behalf, or represent a partnership. Personal social media activity must not falsely suggest official authorization. Respect organizational property and report loss or misuse.
When conduct falls short
We may stop an activity, restrict access, or remove someone immediately when necessary to protect people or animals. Other concerns are assessed fairly, with an opportunity to explain where appropriate. Responses may include guidance, retraining, a change of duties, a warning, suspension, ending a volunteer relationship, or refusing a future visit. Serious misconduct does not require a sequence of warnings.
Decisions should be proportionate, consistent, and based on conduct or legitimate safety needs. Where practicable, a person may ask an unconflicted leader or Board reviewer to reconsider a decision. The reporting policy explains how to bypass someone involved in a concern and prohibits retaliation.
Questions and emergencies
For arrangements or accommodations, contact info@cottonbranch.org. For immediate danger or urgent medical assistance, contact 911 and alert the on-site leader. Do not investigate a serious allegation or attempt animal handling beyond your training.