GTHS Volunteer Teams & Positions

Download Volunteer Application Form – Word

Download Volunteer Application Form – PDF

Cat Care

The GTHS houses upwards of 100 cats and kittens at any given time. Volunteers work together as a team or independently to ensure our cats receive the best possible care during their time at our Animal Centre. There are multiple positions within the Cat Care Team to choose from, including assisting with nutrition, health, behaviour and more… Shifts range from 1 to 4 hours in length, according to the position undertaken, and a minimum commitment of one shift per week is required. Training is provided.

Food Fairy

Overview: The Food Fairy is integral to maintaining the welfare of our cats and kittens. This position starts early in the morning to ensure that all feline residents have finished eating prior to the Cat Care Team coming onsite to prepare the Adoption Rooms for the day and in readiness for any medications to be administered.

Description: The GTHS Food Fairy ensures that all kittens and cats in the building are fed. Other duties include topping up water, washing food dishes, tidying, record keeping as necessary and following the feeding chart accurately.

This position can start any time from 6am, for duties to be concluded by 8am.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 16 years of age minimum
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Strong work ethic
• Dependable and self motivated
• Works well unsupervised
• Ability to read and follow directions
• Ability to follow protocol
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for during of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Cat Care Team Member

Description: The Cat Care Team works to increase the welfare and health of GTHS feline residents. The Cat Care Team works as a group and/or individually to care for our cats and maintains high cleanliness standards in our Adoption Rooms, as well as our Quarantine and Isolation Rooms. This role is integral to maintaining a bright, clean and healthy environment for our cats, kittens, volunteers, visitors and potential adopters. Playing with and cuddling cats is required!

Description: Cat Care Team Members are assigned a specific room (an Adoptions Room or a Quarantine/Isolation Room) to provide nutrition, as well as mental or physical stimulation or interaction, to the feline residents in their room. Cat Care Team Members are responsible for sweeping and mopping the floor, maintaining clean and organized litter, feeding stations, kitten or cat kennels and communal areas. Other duties such as dishes and laundry are also included.

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required (unless approved for student / community hours).

The usual shift length and time of 9am to approximately 12noon has been altered to accommodate staggered shifts and social distancing during the pandemic. Shifts are currently as follows: Main Adoption Room: 8.30-10.30am, Front Adoption Room: 9-11am, Room 3: 8-10am, Room 4: 9-11am)

Qualifications:

• 15 years of age minimum
• Demonstrates an understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Experience working with or handling cats
• Strong work ethic
• Dependable, self motivated and energetic
• Works well unsupervised, alone and in a team environment
• Exercises patience
• Good communication skills
• Reads and follows directions, and follows protocol
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Shelter Aide

Overview: The Shelter Aide works in the afternoons to ensure that the Animal Centre is stocked, clean and ready for the next day. This role is integral to increasing the welfare and health of our adoptable cats.

Description: The GTHS Shelter Aide ensures that our Animal Kitchen is clean, organized and regularly stocked with food, litter and supplies. The Shelter Aide will also replenish items on the intake and quarantine/isolation room trolleys and for these rooms so that our cats and kittens have the supplies they need. Other duties include dishes, laundry and ensuring our Adoption Rooms and communal areas are clean, tidy and well maintained. Time permitting, the Shelter Aide provides mental and physical stimulation to GTHS feline residents.

This position starts at 1pm until approximately 4pm.

Time Commitment: Approximately 3 hours per week. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 16 years of age minimum
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Experience working with or handling cats
• Strong worth ethic
• Dependable, self motivated and energetic
• Works well unsupervised, alone or in a team environment
• Exercises patience
• Good communication skills
• Reads and follows directions, and follows protocol
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Feline Foster Volunteer

Overview: Feline Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for pregnant or nursing cats and kittens (litter sizes can range from 5-9 kittens). You must be able to separate the foster animals from any pets in your home by keeping them in a separate room. We will provide training and all the supplies you need.

Description: Feline Foster Volunteers are responsible for helping the cat/kittens in their care thrive until they are ready to be adopted. This will include feeding the animals at least twice a day, possibly more, cleaning litter boxes and socializing the animals. It may also include bottle feeding and administering oral medications.

Fostering can be undertaken by children under adult supervision, however, the adult must register as the official Feline Foster Volunteer.

Time Commitment: Typically varies from 1 to 4 hours a day depending on the situation. Foster terms generally last between 2 and 8 weeks.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Everyone in the household must be in agreement
• A room for fostering
• Committed to animal welfare
• Experience fostering cats and kittens is preferred, but not necessary
• Willing to learn to bottle feed (if fostering pregnant/nursing moms or kittens)
• Willing to provide medication and/or learn to provide subcutaneous fluids
• Self motivated
• Ability to read and follow directions
• Ability to follow protocol
• Good communication skills

Virtual Cat Adoption Counselor

Overview: Love working with animals and people? There is nothing more rewarding than helping cats find their forever homes! The Cat Adoption Counselor assists the public with adoption by matching pet and person. This includes, but is not limited to, answering any and all questions about cat ownership, the cat or kitten they might be interested in adopting and the GTHS adoption process, as well as providing other information to set the adopter and their new pet up for success once they are home. This role is integral to matching the right cat (personality type, energy level, special home requirements, etc.) with the right adopter.

Description: The Cat Adoption Counselor facilitates adoption “interviews”, which includes answering questions about the cats and kittens we have available for adoption, as well as facilitating the actual adoption of the animal.

Time Commitment: One shift per week, approximately 4-6 hours. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age minimum
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Experience working with or handling cats
• Self motivated
• Excellent customer service skills
• Good communication skills
• Administrative skills
• Ability to follow protocol
• Ability to work alone and in a team environment
• Knowledge of, or experience with, PetPoint an asset
• Must have access to a telephone, device such as iPad / tablet, laptop or desktop computer and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PDFs / Adobe

Dog Care

GTHS is the temporary home to approximately 10 dogs at any given time. Being a Dog Care Volunteer is physically demanding and volunteers tend to work independently or in small teams; to ensure our dogs are well cared for whilst at our Animal Centre. Shifts range from 1-2 hours in length according to position and a minimum commitment of one shift per week is required. Dog Care Volunteers will receive training, but are expected to have current and extensive dog handling skills when joining the team.

Dog Care Team Member

Overview: Dog Care Volunteers work with puppies and dogs of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds (stray, surrendered, neglected, abused, healthy, recovering from surgery, may be easy to handle or may require training for behavioural issues…).

Description: GTHS Dog Care Team Members help to maintain the health and welfare of GTHS dogs by cleaning kennels, providing food, exercise, training, companionship and assist with our canine enrichment program.

Dog Care Team Members interact with the majority of dogs at our Animal Centre, so complete a Dog Care Program in order to handle Green dogs (ie. puppies and seniors who are easy to walk and handle) and Yellow dogs (ie. young, rambunctious, pullers who can be slightly difficult to walk and handle), with the ultimate goal of working with Red dogs (ie. strong pullers with some behavioural issues who are difficult to walk and handle).

Scheduled training is required upon joining the Dog Care Team and will be required intermittently to progress through the Dog Care Program.

Time Commitment: A minimum commitment of 2 hours one time per week is required. Dog Care shifts are Monday through Sunday, 7.30-9.30am and between 2-4pm. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Shifts have been temporarily altered for social distancing during the pandemic, the morning shift is currently 7.30-9am and the afternoon shift is currently 1-3pm.

Qualifications:

• 16 years of age minimum
• A gentle and kind approach to dog handling
• Confident with dogs
• A commitment to animal welfare
• Current dog handling and/or training experience is required
• Medium and/or large dog experience is required
• Willingness and ability to complete the GTHS Dog Care Program (training from Green to Yellow Dog Walker status) is a must
• Self motivated
• Ability to work alone and in a team environment
• Ability to follow protocol
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Note: This position is not open to students looking to complete a set number of volunteer hours.

Evening Let-Out Volunteer

Overview: Dog Care Volunteers work with puppies and dogs of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds (stray, surrendered, neglected, abused, healthy, recovering from surgery…). The Evening Dog Let-Out role is integral to caring for our canine residents, to ensure they are safe for the night.

Description: GTHS Dog Let-Out Volunteers come onsite at 8pm to let each dog into their outside pen for an evening bathroom break and ensure they have fresh water and an evening treat. They are also responsible for closing down the kennels properly and ensuring all dogs are safe and settled.

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 hour per week from 8pm to 9pm. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age minimum
• A commitment to animal welfare
• Confident, gentle and kind with dogs
• Dog experience is required
• Self motivated
• Reliable and responsible
• Ability to follow protocol

Canine Foster Volunteer

Overview: Canine Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for puppies, senior dogs and adult dogs with specific needs. You must be able to separate the foster animals from any pets in your home by keeping them in a separate room. We will provide training and all the supplies you need.

Description: Canine Foster Volunteers are responsible for helping puppies (litter sizes can range from 4-6 puppies), seniors and/or adult dogs in their care thrive until they are ready to be adopted. This will include feeding the animals at least twice a day, possibly more, potty training (for puppies), and exercising and socializing the animals. It may also include bottle feeding and administering oral medications.

Time Commitment: Typically varies from 1 to 4 hours a day depending on the situation. Foster terms generally last between 2 and 8 weeks.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Everyone in the household must be in agreement
• A room for fostering
• Committed to animal welfare
• Experience fostering puppies and/or dogs is preferred, but not necessary
• Willing to learn to bottle feed (if fostering pregnant/nursing moms or puppies)
• Willing to provide medication
• Self motivated
• Ability to read and follow directions
• Ability to follow protocol
• Good communication skills

Virtual Dog Adoption Counselor

Overview: Love working with animals and people? There is nothing more rewarding than helping our dogs find forever homes! The Dog Adoption Counselor assists the public with adoption by matching pet and person. This includes but is not limited to, answering any and all questions about dog ownership, the dog or puppy they might be interested in adopting and the GTHS adoption process, as well as providing other information to set the adopter and their new pet up for success once they are home. This role is integral to matching the right dog (personality type, energy level, special home requirements, etc.) with the right adopter.

Description: The Dog Adoption Counselor facilitates adoption “interviews”, which includes answering questions about the dogs and puppies we have available for adoption, as well as organizing an onsite Meet & Greet and follow-up telephone call, in addition to facilitating the actual adoption of the animal.

Time Commitment: One shift per week, approximately 4-6 hours. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age minimum
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Experience working with or handling dogs
• GTHS Dog Care Training is required
• Self motivated
• Excellent customer service skills
• Good communication skills
• Administrative skills
• Ability to follow protocol
• Ability to work alone and in a team environment
• Knowledge of, or experience with, PetPoint an asset
• Must have access to a telephone, device such as iPad / tablet, laptop or desktop computer and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PDFs / Adobe

Animal Transfer Volunteer

Overview: The Animal Transfer Volunteer supports our Outreach Programs by transporting cats or dogs to our Animal Centre from outside the Georgian Triangle Area (from Toronto Pearson International Airport for example). This volunteer may occasionally be asked to support our Cat and Dog Care Teams by driving animals to and from local veterinary clinics for surgical and healthcare appointments in the Georgian Triangle area.

Description: The Animal Transfer Volunteer coordinates with the Transfer Coordinator (or designate) relating to the collection or drop-off of animals, and uses a GTHS vehicle or their own vehicle for transportation. The Animal Transfer Volunteer accompanies the animal to its destination (in a carrier or kennel), with corresponding documentation and/or medication.

Hours: Animal transportation takes place on an ad hoc, as required, basis.

Time Commitment: Will depend on the collection / drop-off point for each transfer

Qualifications:

• Valid G2 driver’s license
• A commitment to animal welfare
• Self motivated
• Ability to follow protocol
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationship with others
• GTHS Yellow Dog Walker / Handler status is required to assist with dog transportation (training will be provided)

Hospital

The GTHS Animal Hospital contains an Operating Room, Treatment Room, Examination Room, Pharmacy, X-Ray Room and a Hospital Intake / Recovery Area, and provides spay/neuter surgeries for over 1500 homeless pets annually. Having an onsite hospital ensures animals receive timely, thorough and comprehensive care, saves dozens of daily phone calls, reduces trips back and forth to veterinary clinics, dramatically decreases the stress on the GTHS animals, and leads to the additional benefit of earlier adoption availability; so these animals find their forever home quickly. Due to local demand, the GTHS Animal Hospital extended its hours of operation in 2021 to provide services to low-income pet owners.

Hospital Assistant Volunteer

Description: Reporting to the Director of Medicine and Hospital Registered Veterinary Technician, the Hospital Assistant Volunteer is responsible for maintaining the Operating Room and prep area, as well as overseeing the maintenance and packing of surgical instruments.

Time Commitment: Monday to Thursday 12-4.30pm, Friday on-call 11am-1pm; available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:
• 18 years of age minimum
• Punctual and reliable
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Diligent compliance with guidelines and protocols for personal and animal safety
• Self-motivated and energetic, with proven ability to complete tasks with competency and accuracy
• Able to work in a very fast paced environment
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Works cooperatively and effectively with others
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Working Conditions:
• Physical demands of the position include bending, kneeling and working with surgical grade cleaning products

Hospital Recovery Volunteer

Description: Reporting to the Director of Medicine and Hospital Registered Veterinary Technician, the Hospital Recovery Volunteer is responsible for maintaining an orderly Recovery Room, assisting with recovering patients and the movement of animals.

Time Commitment: Monday to Thursday 9.15am-1.30pm, Friday on-call 9.15am-12pm; available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:
• 18 years of age minimum
• Punctual and reliable
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Experience with cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds and temperaments
• Diligent compliance with guidelines and protocols for personal and animal safety
• Basic math skills and able to use a watch to record recovery times
• Self-motivated and energetic, with proven ability to complete tasks with competency and accuracy
• Able to work in a very fast paced environment
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Works cooperatively and effectively with others
• Willing to administer medications and provide injections (training will be provided)
• Computer literate and willing to use PetPoint (PetPoint training will be provided)
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Working Conditions:
• Physical demands of the position include bending, kneeling, carrying and lifting up to 18kg
• We recommend that closed toed shoes and clothing that has no sentimental value (ie. can get dirty and/or stained) are worn

Hospital Discharge Volunteer

Description: Reporting to the Director of Medicine and Booking Coordinator, the Hospital Discharge Volunteer is responsible for overseeing the cleanliness of the Hospital Intake Room and discharging animals to the public after their Hospital appointment / surgery.

Time Commitment: Monday to Thursday 2.30-4pm; available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:
• 18 years of age minimum
• Punctual and reliable
• Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
• Diligent compliance with guidelines and protocols for personal and animal safety
• Self-motivated and energetic, with proven ability to complete tasks with competency and accuracy
• Able to work in a very fast paced environment
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Works cooperatively and effectively with others
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Working Conditions:
• Physical demands of the position include bending, kneeling and carrying cats in carriers with a potential maximum weight of 7.6kg / 16.75lb

Fundraising & Events Team Volunteer

The GTHS does not receive any form of government funding to fund our operations. This means we run several fundraising events each year, as well as various other fundraising programs and initiatives. Fundraising & Event Volunteers can include day-of event volunteers, event committee members, community advisors and much more! The minimum age to join this team is 16.

Humane Education Volunteer

Overview: The Humane Education Program is an excellent way to connect with youth in our community and teach them about empathy, compassion and responsible pet ownership / animal interactions, by focusing on the human-animal bond.

GTHS Humane Education online courses are the first of their kind in Canada and our program has proven to increase social and emotional skills. Current online courses include: Pet Sitter Certificate, Responsible Pet Ownership and the Animal Wellness Certificate.

After-school and summer programs (including the Pet Sitters Course and the Junior Volunteer Program) were run out of the Animal Centre and the Junior / Senior Animal Welfare Certification Program were delivered in local schools prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and are hoped to be reinstated in the future.

Description: Humane Education Volunteers are responsible for the development and renewal of online course content, research for new courses, editing text, supervising youth enrolled in online courses and/or the delivery of in-person programs or classes at the Animal Centre, in our local schools and/or in the community.

Time Commitment: During the pandemic, HE Volunteers will work from home for approximately 2-4 hours per week; setting their own schedule. To volunteer remotely, HE Volunteers must have their own computer or tablet and telephone to perform their volunteer duties.

When in-person programs / classes resume, the time commitment will vary based on the program or class the HE Volunteer undertakes. The following are pre-COVID examples:

• Pet Sitters Course : 4-6pm on 7-8 consecutive Thursdays at the Animal Centre
• Junior Volunteer Program : 4-5:45pm on 7-8 consecutive Tuesdays at the Animal Centre
• Big Brothers Big Sisters visits, as requested (usually once or twice a month from 6-8pm)
• In-school Workshops (usually 75-90 minutes), once a week for 6 consecutive weeks, culminating in a one-hour field trip to the Animal Centre. Volunteers need to be available for the entire workshop timeline.

Qualifications:
• 18 years of age or older
• Access to transportation
• Own telephone and computer, as appropriate
• Vulnerable Sector police check
• Comfortable working within a team and independently
• Teaching or training experience is an asset for online and Animal Centre activities
• Teaching experience is required for in-school elements of the program (ie. teaching in the public or private school system, or corporate experience teaching colleagues)
• Graphic design experience and/or online content creative experience is useful
• Excellent communication skills
• Proof-reading skills, with an eye for accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Ability to engage with students and at-risk youth in a professional and informed manner
• Willingness to learn about animal welfare, animal cruelty laws and Ministry of Education curriculum links
• Ability to promote compassion and empathy for all living things
• Committed to the vision, mission and values of the GTHS
• HE Volunteers must be trained by a Dog Care Coordinator to handle GTHS dogs during any and all programming

Outreach Team

Our Outreach Team provides programs and services within our community and beyond: low cost spay/neuter and wellness clinics for pet owners on a limited income, a monthly Rabies Vaccine & Microchip Clinic, a Pet Pantry to provide food and pet supplies for pet owners in need, and also liaise with community members for the trap, neuter/spay and return of feral cats to help with population control.

Pet Pantry Volunteer

Description: Reporting to the Outreach Coordinator, the Pet Pantry Volunteer is responsible for collecting food and pet supplies from the Animal Centre for delivery to local pet owners who are temporarily unable to provide the day-to-day necessities for their pets. Pet Pantry deliveries take place on Tuesdays and Fridays on an ‘as needed’ basis.

Time Commitment: One shift a week on an ‘as needed’ basis*. The length of time volunteered will depend on the distance of the collection/drop-off point from the volunteer’s residence and the number of deliveries required, but loading and delivery time is approximated at 2 hours. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

*Volunteers are able to choose a fixed morning or afternoon schedule for their assigned shift.

Qualifications:

• Valid G2 driver’s license
• 18 years of age minimum
• A commitment to animal welfare and an understanding of the human-animal bond
• Punctual and reliable
• Self motivated
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Diligent compliance with guidelines and protocols for personal safety
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Works cooperatively and effectively with others
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of this volunteer role and of the organization
• Review and sign-off of the Animal Transport Guidelines / GTHS Van Use Agreement
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Working Conditions:

• Physical demands of the position include lifting and carrying food with a potential maximum weight of 30lb / 13.6kg
• We recommend wearing closed toe shoes and clothing that has no sentimental value
  (ie. can get dirty)

Treasure Tails

Treasure Tails retail store is part of the Georgian Triangle Humane Society and raises money by selling high quality home décor, women’s apparel, collectables and antiques, generously donated by our community. All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the shelter.

Treasure Tails Customer Service Volunteer

Description: Treasure Tails Customer Service Volunteers are responsible for the day-to-day customer service operations at the store, including sales, interacting with clients, money transactions, light housekeeping of the store premises and arranging items for display. All Treasure Tails Volunteers are expected to promote awareness of the GTHS, its public programs, promotions and the Animal Centre.

Time Commitment: Able to commit to a minimum of one four and a half hour shift per week, Tuesday to Saturday: 11am to 3.30pm (available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment) or regular ad hoc shift coverage.

Volunteers are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their shift, to familiarize themselves with new items instore, special promotions and for any personal shopping. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• A recent police check is required
• Dependable and self-motivated
• Have a strong work ethic
• Retail or customer service experience is helpful but not a requirement
• Able to engage with the public, in an outgoing and polite manner, on behalf of Treasure Tails and the GTHS
• Comfortable using the telephone and an electronic calendar (such as Outlook)
• Able and comfortable photographing and emailing images from personal cellphone
• Able to add, subtract and calculate percentages (a calculator is available)
• Confident handling money and sales transactions
• Able to stand for several hours, to climb a short step ladder and to assist with occasional heavy loads (large décor pieces or furniture)
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Treasure Tails Greeter

Description: Treasure Tails Greeter are responsible for welcoming visitors to the store, ensuring health and safety protocol are followed, promoting items on special offer, tidying items on display at the front of the store, as well as light housekeeping of the store premises. All Treasure Tails Volunteers are expected to promote awareness of the GTHS, its public programs, promotions and the Animal Centre.

Time Commitment: Able to commit to a minimum of one four and a half hour shift per week, Tuesday to Saturday: 11am to 3.30pm (available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment) or regular ad hoc shift coverage.

Volunteers are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their shift, to familiarize themselves with new items instore, special promotions and for any personal shopping. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• A recent police check is required
• Dependable and self-motivated
• Have a strong work ethic
• Retail or customer service experience is helpful but not a requirement
• Able to engage with the public, in an outgoing and polite manner, on behalf of Treasure Tails and the GTHS
• Able to stand for several hours, to climb a short step ladder and to assist with occasional heavy loads (large décor pieces or furniture)
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Treasure Tails Donations Volunteer

Description: Treasure Tails Donations Volunteers assist with receiving, pricing and merchandising good quality, saleable items being donated to the store by members of the community. All Treasure Tails Volunteers are expected to promote awareness of the GTHS, its public programs, promotions and the Animal Centre.

Time Commitment: Able to commit to a minimum of 2 two and a half hour shifts per week, Wednesday to Saturday: 9am to 11.30am (available shifts will be posted at time of recruitment).

Volunteers are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their shift, to prepare for the first donations appointment of the day and for any personal shopping. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• A recent police check is required
• Dependable and self-motivated
• Have a strong work ethic
• Retail, merchandising or customer service experience is helpful but not a requirement
• Able to engage with the public, in an outgoing and polite manner, on behalf of Treasure Tails and the GTHS
• Able to stand, bend, lift, assist with heavy loads (including large décor pieces or furniture) and to climb a short step ladder
• Able to stay longer than 2.5 hours when incoming donations are larger than expected
• Comfortable following and promoting health and safety protocols onsite (ie. wearing a face mask for duration of shift, social distancing, etc.)

Task Specific Treasure Tails Volunteer

Description: Task Specific Treasure Tails Volunteers provide assistance within their field of expertise or area of interest (identification / cleaning / carding / pricing of jewellery / watches / purses, window dressing, storage of seasonal items, research, transportation, assistance at estate donations, etc.). All Treasure Tails Volunteers are expected to promote awareness of the GTHS, its public programs, promotions and the Animal Centre.

Time Commitment: This position is ideal for applicants who do not wish to volunteer in-store or are unable to commit to a specific day and time for their shift. Based on the role undertaken, Task Specific Volunteers’ hours will vary (from several hours each week, to only a few hours each month). A minimum of commitment of 6 months is required.

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• A recent police check is required
• Dependable and self-motivated
• Have a strong work ethic
• Retail, merchandising or customer service experience is helpful but not a requirement
• Adheres to appropriate protocol, policies and procedures

Additional Volunteer Positions

Emergency Boarding Foster Volunteer

Overview: Emergency Boarding Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for pets whose owners cannot currently look after them due to an emergency situation (in hospital, rehabilitation or escaping from domestic violence). Boarding is provided for dogs or cats, based on the species you decide upon, and will range from 1-6 months. You must have the ability to separate the foster animal from any pets in your home by keeping them in a separate room, if necessary. We will provide training and all the supplies you need.

Description: Emergency Boarding Foster Volunteers are responsible for helping the cat/dog in their care thrive until they are ready to be reclaimed by their owner. This will include feeding the animals at least twice a day, possibly more, cleaning litter boxes (for cats), exercising (for dogs) and socializing the animals. It may also include administering oral medications.

Time Commitment: Typically varies from 1 to 4 hours a day depending on the situation. Emergency Boarding Foster terms generally last between 1 and 3 months, but can be longer.

Qualifications:

• Everyone in the household must be in agreement
• A room for fostering
• Committed to animal welfare
• Experience fostering puppies and/or dogs is preferred, but not necessary
• Self motivated
• Ability to read and follow directions
• Ability to follow protocol
• Good communication skills

Admin Volunteers

Timesheet Assistants
These volunteers help to maintain our Sumac database, by ensuring volunteers’ data is accurate and complete, and that our volunteers are being recognized for the time they dedicate to our animals at the shelter and at Treasure Tails. Volunteers commit to one day a week for 1-1.5 hours, are comfortable with basic (but accurate) data entry and are attentive to detail.

Communications Volunteer

Communications Volunteers are responsible for entering information into online community calendars and on social media, taking photographs of animals available for adoption and creating adoptions profiles, based on the volunteer’s area(s) of interest and skill set.

Donor Program Volunteer

Donor Program Volunteers report to the Donor Relations Specialist. They meet to collaborate on ideas that will enhance the relationships that leadership and legacy donors have with the charity, to inspire higher levels of giving.

Media Volunteer

The Media Volunteer reports to the Donor Relations Specialist and follows publications on a weekly basis to help the GTHS see where exposure is being gained and monitors how the organization is mentioned in the press.

Website Volunteer

Reporting to the Executive Director as well as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, the Website Volunteer will help oversee changes and additions to the organization’s website on a timely basis.

General Maintenance

Are you a plumber or just plain good at DIY and ‘odd jobs’? Are you a landscaper or keen gardener who could lend a hand? We’d really appreciate your help! Please contact volunteer@gths.ca

Co-Op Program at GTHS

This program is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each semester, the GTHS welcomes high school Co-Op students to complete their credits at our Animal Centre. We value these students’ enthusiasm, energy and commitment to helping improve the lives of the animals in our care. The GTHS is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and safe learning environment for students.

Three Co-Op positions are available for each semester of the school year (commencing September and February). These students will spend one semester only at the GTHS further developing their skills and interests within the following areas:

Marketing, PR & Events

• Create marketing and promotional materials
• Social media posting, planning and monitoring
• Photography and videography
• Event planning support
• Event and committee meeting attendance
• Fundraising
• Creative writing – blogs, articles, etc.

Dog Care Attendant

• Kennel cleaning
• Dog walking
• Canine Intake Examination assisting
• Canine enrichment and behavioural modification

Cat Care Attendant

• Kennel cleaning
• Assisting with stock / supplies
• Weekly head to tail feline assessments
• Feline Intake Examination assisting
• Feline enrichment and nutrition
• Feline profiling
• Assisting with stock / supplies

Adoption Assistant

• Help in the promotion of our Adoptable Animals
• Canine and feline photography and videography
• Profiling and creative writing
• Administrative duties
• Providing customer service to GTHS visitors and potential adopters

Students must have the following skills to be considered and retained for a Co-Op placement:

• Dependable, self-motivated and energetic
• Relatively independent
• Professional at all times
• Excellent team work skills
• Hard working and willing to learn
• Good communication skills
• Computer literacy and cursive writing
• An interest in entering the fields of veterinary care/ animal care or a desire to work for a Not For Profit organization
• Demonstrable commitment to the animals in our care and the GTHS

We recommend that Co-Op students have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination in order to work with the animals.

How to Apply:
Please have your Co-Op Teacher contact Karen Marsh, our Humane Education Coordinator, by email: karen@gths.ca

Student Hours at GTHS

Placements are are currently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GTHS welcomes students who need to complete Student Volunteer Hours for school. It is the responsibility of students to track their own hours.

Hours can be completed by becoming a volunteer within the Cat Care Team (based on vacancies being available). The minimum age for joining this team is 15 or 16 years of age, based on the Cat Care position of interest.

It is recommended that volunteers who would like to work with cats obtain a Tetanus vaccination.

Unfortunately students cannot complete their Student Volunteer Hours within the Dog Care Team due to the extensive dog handling skills, supervision and training required to interact with the types of dogs we have in our care.

Please note that we have limited student volunteer vacancies on the weekend and the Animal Centre closes at 4pm (so there are no volunteer opportunities in the evening).

Student volunteers must have the following skills to be considered and retained:

• Dependable, self-motivated and energetic
• Relatively independent
• Professional at all times
• Willing to leave their earbuds at home
• Excellent team work skills
• Hard working
• Good communication skills
• Demonstrable commitment to the animals in our care and the GTHS

To apply for a placement, please view our Current Openings for Cat Care Team vacancies. If there are no suitable Cat Care vacancies posted, please submit your application to be added to our wait list.

Community Service Hours

Placements are are currently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GTHS welcomes volunteers who need to complete Community Service Hours.

Community Service Hours can only be completed within the Cat Care Team (any day of the week) or by assisting with landscape maintenance and ‘odd jobs’ (weekdays only). Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to track their own hours.

It is recommended that volunteers obtain a Tetanus vaccination.

Applicants must have the following skills to be considered and retained:

• Dependable, self-motivated and energetic
• Relatively independent
• Professional at all times
• Excellent team work skills
• Hard working
• Good communication skills
• Demonstrable commitment to the animals in our care and the GTHS

To apply for a placement, please view our Current Openings for Cat Care vacancies, or please email to enquire about providing general help.