Help Animals In Need Through Foster Care

Demand is high for animals to be brought into our care, but not everyone can be housed at our Animal Centre. Space is finite and we also recognize that some animals will fair better in a home than in a ‘shelter’ environment, (for example senior and nervous animals).  We also send kittens, puppies, pregnant moms, and injured or recuperating animals into Foster care, so they can receive the love and attention they need. When the time is right, these animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and parasite treated; ready to find their forever home.

We also offer Emergency Foster Boarding, for pets whose owners have experienced an emergency situation. These pets are cared for by our incredible Foster Volunteers until their owners are able to reclaim them.

Emergency Boarding Foster Volunteer

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.

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
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 may be up to 6 months.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Maintain clean and tidy environment
  • Provide treats, food, clean water and clean bedding as required
  • Clean and change kitty litter, as required
  • Bathe and groom dog, as necessary and if comfortable doing so
  • Provide a structured and loving environment
  • Assist in the maintenance of the animal’s health and welfare (includes exercise for dogs)
  • Administer medication, as required and as instructed
  • Ensure any veterinary appointments are kept
  • Ensure animal is safe and secure
  • Return animal to GTHS Animal Centre upon request
  • 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 or caring for cats / dogs is required
  • Self motivated
  • Ability to read and follow directions
  • Ability to follow protocol
  • Good communication skills
Positions currently available

Want to help keep people and pets together? Not ready to take on an animal of your own, but would like feline or canine company?  We are looking for Emergency Boarding Foster Volunteers to join our team – please apply today!

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

Apply now

Feline Foster Volunteers

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.

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
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.
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 and clean water, as required
  • Clean and change kitty litter and bedding, as required
  • Interact with cats to help with socialization and adoptability
  • Assist in the maintenance of cats’ health and welfare
  • Administer medication, as required and as instructed
  • Ensure any veterinary appointments are kept
  • Return cats to GTHS Animal Centre as required (for surgery, treatment, adoption…)
  • Ensure cats 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 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
Positions currently available

We’re always looking for Feline Foster Volunteers to join our Foster Team. Our greatest areas of need are caring for: pregnant moms, moms with their kittens and bottle fed kittens. 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.

Apply now

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.

Apply now

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