Help Animals & People

Pet Pantry Volunteer

The GTHS believes that pets deserve to stay with their families regardless of logistical or financial challenges faced by their parents.

Access to Care programs support pets and their families through programs that work to make veterinary care more accessible, help battle food insecurity and provide temporary housing during crisis.

The GTHS Pet Pantry Program, established in 2020, is a donation-based program aimed to ensure that pet food is more accessible for individuals and families who are in need.  In 2023, the GTHS supported approximately 1,000 pets through the Pet Pantry Program and distributed 28,000 meals in the community.

Last year, the Pet Pantry Program expanded to include 9 Community Depots in various locations: in Collingwood, The Town of the Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township. The service is strictly confidential.

Description
Reporting to the Community Programs Supervisor, the Pet Pantry Volunteer is responsible for repackaging and/or collecting pet food and supplies from the Animal Centre for delivery to local Pet Pantry depots or pet owners’ homes, to assist members of our community who are temporarily unable to provide the day-to-day necessities for their pets. Pet Pantry bagging takes place on an as needed basis, and deliveries take place on Tuesdays and on Fridays.
Time Commitment
A minimum commitment of 6 months is required. Volunteers are assigned one shift a week (Tuesday or Friday) and have a fixed morning or afternoon schedule. The length of time volunteered will depend on the volume of pet food to be repackaged, the distance of the collection/drop-off point and the number of deliveries required, but bagging is approximated at 1.5 hours, and loading and delivery time is approximated at 2 hours. Vacancy information is posted at the bottom of this window.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Liaise with Customer Service Coordinator and Community Program Supervisor for inbound pet food deliveries, Pet Pantry supplies required and delivery locations
  • Maintain tidy and organized Pet Pantry shelves
    • Restock shelves from supplies in garage and/or container, as appropriate
  • Repackage pet food into 1kg Zip Lock bags
  • Source supplies and load vehicle at Animal Centre
    • Exercise judgement and accurately select supplies requested
    • Ensure items are properly stored/secured during transportation
  • Deliver supplies to Pet Pantry depots and/or pet owners
    • Meet pet owners at street level
    • Ensure contactless delivery during pandemic
  • Provide friendly, non-judgemental, quality customer service
  • Promote additional Outreach programs and services, as appropriate
  • Ensure any appropriate documentation is available and/or signed
  • Maintain clean and tidy GTHS van (inside and outside), if used
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
  • Ensure photocopy of valid / most recent version of G2 driver’s license is retained by GTHS
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
  • Own transportation
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)
  • Gas and mileage is not reimbursable
Positions currently available

Due to demand, we are in need of occasional assistance to support our Tuesday and/or Friday Pet Pantry volunteers. Please submit your application today if you’re in a position to help us assist pet owners in need within our surrounding communities.

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

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.

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!