Safety Information and Injury Protocols

Safety Information

• Emergency evacuation: there are three possible exits.

1. Front door

2. Volunteer entrance

3. Exam room door

• In the event of an emergency, meet in the parking lot next to the large yellow storage container on Whitman Ave.

• If you observe a safety hazard or potential hazard, please report it to SAFe staff immediately.

• Do not interact with cats unless you have been trained and it is part of your shift for that day. Do not handle or interact with any SAFe Rescue cat that has a “Staff Only” sign on its kennel. Do not handle any SAFe Rescue cat that has an “Ask Staff Before Visiting” sign on its kennel unless you have talked to staff first.

What to do if a cat gets out:

Cat Out Policy

If a cat exits the threshold of its enclosure:

1. Say calmly but confidently “Cat out, staff member please.”

2. Close the enclosure door if there are other cats inside it.

3. Follow the cat with your eyes while remaining still and calm.

4. Do not attempt to catch the cat yourself, only trained staff can retrieve cats.

The most important things to remember:

1. Remain calm, you becoming stressed will cause the cat to become stressed.

2. Do not ever chase or try to grab the cat.

3. Most cats will hide in a corner rather than continuing to run if everyone reacts calmly and moves slowly or stays still.

First Aid and Fire Extinguisher:

• The first aid kit is located in the cupboard above the dishwashing sink.

• The fire extinguisher is located in the cat area next to C10 and C9.

Bite/Scratch Procedures:

• If you are ever bitten or scratched here at the Rescue, you are required to report the injury to your supervisor immediately if the skin is broken.

• You will be required to fill out an incident report describing the situation.

• Any volunteer who does not report the injury before leaving for their shift may have their volunteer position terminated at the discretion of the Operations Director or Volunteer Manager.

• The first aid kit is located in the cupboard above the dishwashing sink.

From King County Department of Health

If a person experiences a bite or a scratch from an animal in the facility, follow these first aid steps:

• • Promptly rinse wounds and scratches with lots of water and wash with soap and water for three to five minutes.

  • If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry towel and raise it above the heart to stop the bleeding.

  • Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.

  • Consult a healthcare provider if the bite or scratch has broken the skin.

  • See a healthcare provider for all cat bites - they are particularly dangerous because the puncture wounds caused by sharp feline teeth often close up quickly, trapping harmful germs under the skin.

  • Monitor all bites and scratches closely and seek medical care immediately if any redness, swelling or pain occurs.

  • Report any bite to the supervisor or person in charge immediately.