Cat Care Team Member – Room 4 / All Areas

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 the cats is required!

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

Description
The GTHS Cat Care Team reports to the Cat Care Coordinator. Whereas Cat Care Team Members are usually assigned a specific room (an Adoptions Room or a Quarantine / Isolation Room), this Cat Care Team Member will provide all-round Cat Care support, based on day-to-day needs. This volunteer will be assigned to Quarantine / Isolation Room 4 (which is used sporadically for cats who are sick and aren’t quite ready for adoption), but may be directed to assist in Room 3 if no cats are in Room 4. When no assistance is required in either Quarantine / Isolation Room, this Team Member will support volunteers in the Adoption Rooms. Responsibilities include providing nutrition, as well as mental and physical stimulation or interaction, to the feline residents in Room 4 and/or other areas they are assisting within.  All Cat Care Team Members are responsible for sweeping and mopping the floor, dishes, laundry, and maintaining clean and organized litter, feeding stations, kitten / cat kennels and communal areas.
Time Commitment
Under 3 hours per week (from 8am until approximately 10.30am). A minimum commitment of 6 months is required (unless approved for student / community hours).
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Maintain clean and organized litter, kennels, counter tops and communal areas (shelving, windows, etc.)
  • Disinfect toys (loose and in kennels), scratching posts, wooden boxes, climbing apparatus, etc.
  • Feed cats / kittens wet food (as appropriate), provide fresh water and maintain feeding stations
  • Wash up any dirty animal dishes
  • Perform laundry tasks (gather dirty laundry and assist with washing, drying and folding linens)
  • Dispose of garbage and recyclables
  • Wipe all surfaces after use
  • When not working out of Room 4:
    • Assist in Room 3, upon assignment by Cat Care Coordinator
    • Liaise with Adoption Room Team Members to assist where needed
  • Assist the Cat Care Coordinator with ad hoc needs
  • As required / upon request:
    • Place cats ready for ‘moving up’ into carriers
    • Carry cats in carriers to the appropriate room / kennel
    • Weigh cats with assistance from the Cat Care Coordinator
    • Clean floors in the Animal Kitchen
  • Interact with cats for socialization and enrichment purposes
    • Stimulate and interact with cats (includes grooming, play and snuggles)
    • 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 concerns
  • 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
  • Demonstrates 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
  • Adaptable and versatile; comfortable not having a set routine for each shift
  • Willing to approach and assist staff / fellow volunteers to complete the morning’s Cat Care activities
  • Exercises patience
  • Good communication skills
  • Reads and follows directions, and follows protocol
Positions currently available

Please apply today, as our cats and volunteers urgently need your help on Wednesday mornings!

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!