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Compassion for pets and people

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Help Dogs

Hundreds of dogs and puppies come through our doors on an annual basis; some as strays, some as surrendered pets, and others who are transported into our care from rescue organizations or communities outside our own. Become a GTHS volunteer to give these deserving dogs a second chance in life.

As a dog lover you could help our adoptable dogs find their forever home, assist post-surgery, foster dogs who won’t fare well in a ‘shelter’ environment, or as a dog-savvy volunteer you could help with an array of onsite activities and needs.

Check out the positions below to discover how you can help man’s best friend.

Library Ambassador – Dog Care Team

Members of the GTHS Dog Care Team 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…).

In 2023, our Cat and Dog Care Teams cared for more than 1500 animals onsite at our Animal Centre.

Description
Reporting to the Dog Care Coordinator, the Library Ambassador participates in our Canine Enrichment Program to provide mental and physical stimuli to the dogs in our care by visiting our local library. The Library Ambassador is capable of handling yellow status dogs and interacts with members of the public to promote our adoptable dogs, volunteering, and GTHS events, programs and services.
Time Commitment
Friday mornings for 1.5-2 hours (including dog pick-up and drop-off). To be at the Collingwood Public Library from 9.30am until 10-10.30am. An overall minimum commitment of 6 months is required.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Connect with the Friday Dog Care Coordinator before coming onsite
  • Assist with loading / unloading the selected dog
  • Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ physical and mental well-being
  • Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
  • Reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
  • Ensure dogs are safe and secure
  • Ensure members of the public interact appropriately and safely with the selected dog
  • Provide accurate information about the selected dog
  • Promote adoption, volunteering, and GTHS events, programs and services
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
  • Ensure photocopy of valid / most recent version of G2 driver’s license is retained by GTHS
Qualifications
  • 21 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 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 upon joining the Dog Care Team, and a desire to progress through additional status levels of the Dog Care Program is ideal
  • Self motivated
  • Ability to work alone and in a team environment
  • Willingness to remain informed about GTHS events, programs and services
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of this volunteer role and of the organization
  • Ability to follow protocol
  • Valid G2 driver’s license
  • Own vehicle and/or ability to drive GTHS van
Working Conditions:  
  • Gas and mileage are not reimbursable
  • Review and sign-off of the Animal Transport Guidelines / GTHS Van Use Agreement is required
  • GTHS dog handling skills to yellow status is a must before taking any dogs offsite
Positions currently available

Join our Dog Care Team today and bring enjoyment to staff and visitors at the Collingwood Library, and to one of our adoptable dogs, on occasional Friday mornings.

All applications are acknowledged, so please check your email inbox (and junk/spam folder) for a response.

Canine Foster Volunteer

Canine Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for puppies, senior dogs and adult dogs with specific needs.  You must have the ability to separate the foster animals 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.

In 2023, our Animal Care Team looked after more than 1500 animals onsite and, thanks to our Foster Volunteers, 1044 additional cats and dogs were cared for in loving foster homes.

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 10 weeks, and we ask for an overall, combined commitment of 6 months to fostering.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Maintain clean and tidy environment
  • Provide treats, food, clean water and clean bedding as required
  • Provide puppy pee-pad training, if necessary
  • Bathe and groom dogs, as necessary and if comfortable doing so
  • Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
  • Provide a structured environment and reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
  • Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ health and welfare
  • Administer medication, as required and as instructed
  • Ensure any veterinary appointments are kept
  • Return dogs to GTHS Animal Centre as required (for surgery, treatment, adoption…)
  • Ensure dogs are safe and secure
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
Qualifications
  • Be at least 18 (younger members of the household may assist the primary Foster Volunteer and gain volunteer hours – please contact volunteer@gths.ca for details)
  • 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
  • Dog handling experience is required
  • Experience interacting with dogs with behavioural concerns is essential (if accepting foster cases of this nature)
  • 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
Positions currently available

We’re always looking for Canine Foster Volunteers to join our Foster Team. Our greatest areas of need are caring for: pregnant moms, moms with their puppies and puppy litters. Please apply today to open your heart and home to animals in need!

All applications are acknowledged, so please check your email inbox (and junk/spam folder) for a response.

AM Dog Care Volunteer

Members of the GTHS Dog Care Team 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…).

In 2023, our Cat and Dog Care Teams cared for more than 1500 animals onsite at our Animal Centre.

Description
Reporting to the Dog Care Coordinator, AM Dog Care Volunteers help to maintain the health and welfare of GTHS dogs. This role entails taking care of our dogs’ environment by cleaning their kennels and outdoor runs, and being responsible for food preparation and feeding our dogs their breakfast. If interested and when time permits, AM Dog Care Volunteers interact with our dogs by assisting with our Canine Enrichment Program.
Time Commitment
A minimum commitment of one shift per week is required. AM Dog Care shifts are Monday through Sunday, 7.30am-9am. An overall minimum commitment of 6 months is required.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ health and welfare
    • Maintain clean and organized kennels (inside and outside)
    • Disinfect kennels and toys
    • Prepare and provide treats, breakfast and clean water as required or instructed
    • Wash up any dirty animal dishes (in Animal Equipment Room)
    • Assist with Animal Centre laundry (washing, drying and folding linens)
    • Dispose of garbage and recyclables
    • Ensure dogs are safe and secure
  • If interested and time permits:
    • Dog bathing, grooming, Room 5 petting, time in Dog Yard or X-Pen
    • Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
    • Reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
  • Use online Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage
Qualifications
  • 15 years of age minimum
  • A commitment to animal welfare
  • A gentle and kind approach to dog handling
  • Self motivated
  • Ability to work alone and in a team environment
  • Ability to follow protocol
  • Must by physically capable of sweeping, mopping, hosing and scrubbing
To interact with GTHS dogs:
  • Must be confident with dogs
  • 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 upon joining the Dog Care Team, as is the completion of any future intermittent training
Positions currently available

Our dogs need you on Thursday mornings from 7.30-9am and look forward to providing slobbery kisses as thanks for joining our Dog Care Team.

All applications are acknowledged, so please check your email inbox (and junk/spam folder) for a response.

Dog Enrichment Volunteer

Members of the Dog Care Team 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…).

In 2023, our Cat and Dog Care Teams cared for more than 1500 animals onsite at our Animal Centre.

Description
Dog Enrichment Volunteers report to the Dog Care Coordinator and participate in our Canine Enrichment Program to provide mental and physical stimuli to the dogs in our care at the Animal Centre. To support the wide range of dog behaviours and needs we encounter at the GTHS, Dog Enrichment Volunteers complete a Dog Care Program*; quickly progressing from 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), then work through the Orange and Purple levels at their own pace, with the ultimate goal of working with Red dogs (ie. strong, reactive dogs that are difficult to walk and handle, and that may have other behavioural issues). *Training is required upon joining the Dog Care Team and will be required intermittently to progress through the Dog Care Program.
Time Commitment
2 hours once a week. Enrichment shifts take place daily at a mutually agreed upon time between the hours of 9am-12noon. An overall minimum commitment of 6 months is required.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Create treats / food puzzles
  • Provide food and clean water as required or instructed
  • Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ physical and mental well-being
  • Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
  • Bathe / groom dogs
  • Reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
  • Ensure dogs are safe and secure
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
  • Wash up dirty dog dishes and assist with laundry (washing, drying and folding linens), based on Enrichment activities undertaken
  • Disinfect any dog toys used for Enrichment
  • Clean up after dogs (stoop and scoop) in the kennel area and outdoors, as appropriate
  • Oversee any cleaning and tidying resulting from own interactions with dogs
  • Use online Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage
Qualifications
  • 18 years of age minimum
  • A commitment to animal welfare
  • A gentle and kind approach to dog handling
  • Confident with dogs
  • 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 upon joining the Dog Care Team, and a desire to progress through additional status levels of the Dog Care Program is expected
  • Self motivated
  • Ability to work alone and in a team environment
  • Ability to follow protocol
Positions currently available

Dog savvy, with large dog experience? Please apply today to join our Dog Care Team on Friday mornings for a 2 hour shift of your choosing between 9am-12noon.

All applications are acknowledged, so please check your email inbox (and junk/spam folder) for a response.
Our Identity

Our vision: We envision a community that is compassionate and caring towards pets and each other.

Our Mission: We offer innovative programs and compassionate services that support the well-being of pets and people.

Registered Charity Number
868004185 RR0001

Connect with Us

Georgian Triangle Humane Society
549 Tenth Line
Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 0W1

705.445.5204

info@gths.ca

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Sunday
10am – 4pm
Open for Walk-in Adoptions every day
12 – 4pm

Our Services
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Stay informed on GTHS events, initiatives and programs. Learn how the GTHS team is serving the pets and people of the South Georgian Bay Area. Read heart-warming Happy Tails about GTHS Alumni. See a lot of really cute pictures of dogs and cats!