Cat Care & Centre Volunteer

Up to four Cat Care & Centre Volunteers are scheduled each afternoon to ensure that the Animal Centre is stocked, clean and ready for the next day. This role is also integral to the welfare and health of our cats, as this volunteer provides Feline Enrichment* and fundamental cat care. Ultimately, these volunteers will help shorten cats’ length of stay at our Animal Centre by reducing stress and improving the overall health and behaviour of GTHS cats.

*Feline Enrichment is physical and mental stimulation provided to help improve cats’ adoptability (happier cats are more easily adoptable) and health (less susceptible to disease). Enrichment activities allow our cats to continue to express normal feline behaviour despite being in a ‘shelter’ environment.

Our Cat and Dog Care Teams care for 1500 animals annually at our Animal Centre.

Description

Cat Care & Centre Volunteers report to the Cat Care Coordinator (CCC) and liaise with their teammates to share the afternoon routine and duties. Shared responsibilities include ensuring our Animal Centre is clean and tidy, rooms and carts are fully stocked, and feline residents receive mental and physical stimulation in addition to food and clean litter.

Time Commitment

Approximately 3 hours per week. This position starts at 1pm until approximately 4pm. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Roles and Responsibilities

Coordinate with fellow Cat Care & Centre Volunteers to share the afternoon’s routine and duties, including rotating responsibility for ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’
Cleaning and tidying:
- Communal areas’ surfaces and floors are cleaned, tidied and disinfected (communal areas = Volunteer Cubby and Desk, Animal Kitchen, Human Kitchen, lunchroom, hallways and washrooms)
- Medical Intake Room floors are swept and mopped
- Hallway carts are sanitized
- Laundry (washing, drying, folding linens)
- Dishes (wash up dirty animal dishes, load / empty dishwasher)
- Disinfect any used cat carriers and / or kennels and put them away neatly
- Scoop litter boxes and, as needed, disinfect litter pans
- Dispose of garbage and recyclables
Hallway carts, Animal Kitchen and all Cat Care Rooms are replenished with food, litter and required supplies
Feed wet food to kittens and adult cats (as directed by CCC)
Top up water and dry food (if needed)
Fill out kennel cards to ensure accurate record keeping
Assist with cat kennels, as needed
- Remove contents of empty kennels for adopted cats and terminal clean
- Ensure post-surgical cats’ kennels are set back up once each cat has safely recovered from anesthesia
Interact with cats for socialization and enrichment* purposes
- Adapt activities based on cats being interacted with
- Stimulate and interact with cats (includes grooming, play and snuggles)
- Provide company for cats that are “social eaters” to help them eat better
- Reduce cat stress and improve their overall wellness
- Provide cognitive stimulation and encourage curiosity
- Provide places for cats to hide and perch, as appropriate
- Stimulate cats’ hunting instinct
- Make enrichment items (food puzzles, cat cabins…)
Identify and report any behavioural or health concerns to CCC
Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
Assist CCC (if needed)
Use online Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage

Qualifications

16 years of age minimum
Demonstrates understanding and passion for animal welfare
Experience working with or handling cats and reading cat body language
Strong work ethic
Dependable, self-motivated and energetic
Works well unsupervised, alone and in a team environment
Exercises patience
Good communication skills
Interest in learning about Feline Enrichment (training will be provided)
Reads and follows directions, and follows protocol
Ability and willingness to use the online Cat Care Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage

WORKING CONDITIONS: Must be physically able to complete the tasks listed above (will involve bending, kneeling, lifting, walking, mopping). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), i.e. gloves, gowns and booties MUST be worn when volunteering in Room 3 and/or in Room 4. Gloves are always to be worn when cleaning litterboxes, stool or vomit.

Positions currently available

Our ‘Shelter Aide’ position is evolving into this newly created ‘Cat Care & Centre Volunteer’ role. We’re looking for reliable, upbeat and friendly individuals to join our Cat Care Team. Two new positions are being added daily, and we’re looking to add up to 3 volunteers on Thursday and Saturday. Please apply today to make a difference to our cats and to help ensure everyone has a good experience when visiting our Animal Centre.

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

Cat Care & Centre Volunteer

Description

Time Commitment

Roles and Responsibilities

Qualifications

Positions currently available

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