Court Ordered Community Service

Steps to get started: 

  • If you need to complete Court-Ordered Community Service, you may do so without attending Volunteer Orientation.
  • Those serving Community Service must be 18 or older, must fill out the agreement form in its entirety, and must read and agree to all rules and guidelines.  Print the Community Service Work Agreement form.  
  • Items required for your first visit:
  • Individuals serving Community Service must visit the Services Lobby front desk during our open hours (12pm-6pm daily) and let staff know they are there to do community service.  Staff will help them get started.
  • Those completing their Community Service do not work with animals directly, but they do help care for them indirectly.
  • If you are interested in working with the animals, you may apply to the volunteer program after completing all of your hours.
  • There is no need to call the shelter to schedule time. No appointment is necessary. CSR workers may work between the hours of 8:00 – 6:00 daily. CSR workers must take a lunch break off premises from 11:00 – 12:00 if present at the shelter.
  • Review all the CSR Guidelines (see below).
  • Questions? Call 512-943-3322 and leave a message or email [email protected].

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Community Service Worker (CSR) Rules and Guidelines 

Community Service Worker Definition: CSR Workers are individuals ordered by the court system or probation to complete their community service hours. Students required to complete service hours for school are considered volunteers, not community service workers.

  • Rules and Guidelines:
    1. CSR workers must be at least 18 years of age to complete their time at WCRAS.
    2. There is no need to call the shelter to schedule time. No appointment is necessary. CSR workers may work between the hours of 8:00 – 6:00 daily.
    3. CSR workers will bring the required paperwork with them to the shelter.
    4. Upon entering the shelter, CSR workers are to report to the Services Center front desk. They will sign in on the CSR log.
    5. The CSR worker must read and sign the Community Service Work Agreement prior to completing any hours and return it to staff. This agreement will be kept on file. The CSR worker will wear a name tag supplied by the admin staff.
    6. CSR workers will be assigned an area to work (mostly outdoor areas) and introduced to an animal care specialist who will hand out assignments during the time at the shelter.
    7. Upon completion of hours, the CSR worker must ask the person supervising them to sign their form. The worker will report to the front desk and sign out on the CSW log. No credit will be applied for the hours worked without the initials and verification by shelter staff.
    8. The paperwork issued by the Court is an official form. Falsification of the form is a criminal offense.
    9. Mistreatment of animals of ANY kind will not be tolerated.
    10. There are aspects of shelter work that must remain confidential. CSR workers will not discuss shelter business outside the shelter.
    11. CSR workers are to report any bite or scratch to the kennel staff they are assigned to immediately.
    12. CSR workers are not allowed to handle any shelter medications of any kind.
    13. CSR workers are NEVER allowed in isolation rooms or quarantine areas.
    14. CSR workers are to provide their own transportation to and from the shelter. They are not allowed to ride in a shelter staff’s vehicle at any time.
    15. CSR workers are to bring food or leave for lunch when appropriate.
    16. CSR workers are to refer questions from the general public to shelter staff.
    17. No horseplay or congregating in any area will be allowed.
    18. An incident report will be completed by staff if any injury occurs and/or for other incidents involving CSR workers and will be submitted to the Shelter Director.
    19. Smoking or any type of tobacco use is prohibited on County property.
    20. CSR workers are NOT allowed to use the computer for any reason.
    21. CSR workers are NOT allowed to use shelter phones without permission from supervising staff member.
    22. Rudeness to shelter staff or the general public will not be tolerated.
    23. Personal phone calls are not allowed while performing community service.
    24. Families of CSR workers are not allowed in the kennel areas.
    25. CSR workers are not permitted to adopt, foster, or rescue an animal until their community service requirements (hours) are completed.
    26. Shelter staff may ask for a CSR worker to leave the premises if any of these rules and guidelines are broken. No time will be signed off on in these events.
  • Duties:
    1. CSR workers are assigned community service hours as restitution to the County or State. They are here to work. CSR workers will be expected to work. There is a list of duties on this site that can be assigned.
    2. CSR workers will come to the shelter dressed appropriately. No shorts, low cut tops, tank tops, halter tops, tops that show your stomach, tight clothing, sandals, or jewelry will be allowed. Clothing must cover the body and shoes must cover the feet. Anyone not dressed appropriately will not be allowed to complete any hours and will be asked to leave.
    3. Shelter workers are exposed to the messy and smelly environment 365 days a year and do not need to hear CSR workers complain about the mess or the smell. Anyone who feels they cannot handle the odor or mess needs to consider doing their community service hours elsewhere.
  • Duties Include:
    • Scooping poop on the shelter grounds
    • Washing cat bowls and litter pans
    • Sweeping and mopping hallways and kennel areas
    • Emptying trash cans
    • Removing trash from the shelter grounds
    • Cleaning the outdoor patios and windows
    • Cleaning and organizing donations
    • Hauling and organizing supplies
    • Other duties as assigned

Staff may ask the CSR worker to leave for any violation of the rules and guidelines. Once the CSR worker has been asked to leave, they will no longer be allowed to complete their hours at the shelter. Hours worked on that day will not be signed off on.

  • Supervision:
    • CSR workers are supervised by Senior staff members. The ratio between CSRs and Senior staff cannot exceed: 
      • 2 CSR per 1 Senior Animal Care Specialist
      • 1 CSR per 1 Senior Animal Services Specialist 
    • The Senior staff members determine how many CSRs are needed on campus per day