Volunteer Non-Clinical Safety & Ethics Code

1. Statutory Non-Clinical Directive & VCI Act Mandate

Under the Veterinary Council of India Act, 1984 (VCI Act) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act):

• Strict Medical Boundary: Only registered veterinary practitioners holding recognized BVSc & AH degrees and active State Veterinary Council registrations are legally authorized to prescribe medications, administer scheduled drugs, or perform invasive surgical interventions.
• Prohibition on Unauthorized Medical Practice: Volunteers, sanctuary assistants, and community feeders are strictly prohibited from administering Schedule H/X prescription pharmaceuticals, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, sedatives, or performing wound suturing without direct veterinary supervision.

2. Permitted Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers serve as essential community caregivers and field responders for non-clinical tasks:

1. Assisting in daily cattle feeding, green fodder distribution, and water bowl cleaning.
2. Managing urban hydration stations for street animals and birds during peak summer months.
3. Assisting ambulance paramedics with non-clinical transport logistics and securing scene perimeters.
4. Reporting animal distress, cruelty, or abandonment to the 24/7 SOS Rescue Helpline (+91 75310 99000).
5. Conducting community awareness campaigns and humane education in schools and residential societies.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Highway Traffic Safety

• High-Visibility Gear: When responding to roadside animal incidents, volunteers must always wear high-visibility reflective safety vests.
• Expressway & Highway Protocols: Never enter high-speed active traffic lanes. Always deploy emergency reflective hazard triangles at least 30 meters behind stationary rescue vehicles and keep hazard warning lights flashing.
• Handling Equipment: Always utilize heavy canvas bite-resistant gloves, slip leashes, and secure animal transport crates.

4. Species-Specific Safety Directives

• Canine Safety & Rabies Prevention:
  • Traumatized or injured dogs may bite instinctively due to acute pain. Always apply a soft canvas muzzle or loop restraint before handling.
  • Never corner an aggressive, disoriented, or suspected rabid animal. Maintain a safe distance and alert our specialized veterinary crew.
  • In the event of an accidental bite or scratch, immediately wash the wound under running tap water with soap for at least 15 minutes and obtain urgent Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Anti-Rabies Vaccination) at a medical facility.
• Bovine & Large Animal Safety:
  • Cattle possess significant physical strength. Never stand directly behind cattle to avoid rear kick zones; approach calmly from the side shoulder.
  • Injured cattle must be lifted using specialized hydraulic ambulance tail-lifts under trained staff supervision.
• Avian & Urban Wildlife Welfare:
  • Birds injured by glass-coated kite string (manjha) must be handled gently using soft cotton cloths.
  • Keep injured birds in dark, well-ventilated cardboard boxes to minimize shock. Never force-feed water into a bird's beak due to the fatal risk of tracheal aspiration.

5. Ethical Feeder Conduct & Legal Protections

• Constitutional Duty: Compassion toward animals is recognized under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India and protected by Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960.
• Community Harmony: Volunteers must feed street dogs and community cattle in designated, low-traffic areas away from residential staircases and children's play zones. Maintain calm, polite communication with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and local authorities.