Animal Care

• Feeding and watering animals according to the policies, procedures, and feeding schedule

• Cleaning of all dishes, buckets, etc. used for the animals

• Monitor animals to make sure they are eating and drinking properly

• Mucking out stalls- cleaning out all soiled bedding ( adding in fresh straw and bedding)

• Mucking their houses - cleaning out all soiled bedding ( adding in fresh straw and bedding)

• Sweeping barn

• Picking up poop around the yard

• Giving the animals love and attention! Provide enrichment.

• Helping with improvements/changes to facilities and/or barn as needed in collaboration with the owners

• Help us ensure all staff/volunteers conduct activities in the safest way possible to insure their health and safety and that of the animals

• We work in all weather, a love of the outdoors is an asset!
• Shifts are either 9 am to 12 pm or 3 pm to 6 pm.  

Canine Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for puppies (4-6 puppies at a time), 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 resources and all the supplies you need.   
Canine Foster Volunteers are responsible for helping the puppies, seniors and / or adult dogs in their care thrive until they are ready to be adopted (or to be returned to their owner in cases of Emergency Boarding). 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 (if caring for orphaned or struggling puppies) and administering oral medications.  
 
We are ideally looking for volunteers who are willing to assist with more than one of the following foster scenarios:  

• 4-6 puppies under 4 weeks of age, requiring bottle feeding  
• 4-6 puppies over 4 weeks of age  
• Dogs with medical or special needs (eg. provide medication, ensure ‘bedrest’ post-surgery) 
• Pregnant or nursing moms  
• Dogs in need of socialization or with behavioural concerns  
• Senior dogs who don't tend to fare well in a 'shelter' environment
• Dogs belonging to pet owners in need of emergency boarding in times of crisis

The Shelter Aide reports to the Cat Care Coordinator and liaises with their counterpart to share the afternoon routine and duties. Shelter Aides ensure our Animal Kitchen is clean, organized and regularly stocked with food, litter and supplies, and replenish items for the Intake and Quarantine / Isolation Rooms to provide our cats and kittens with the supplies they need. Other duties include dishes, laundry and ensuring our Adoption Rooms, Medical Intake Room and communal areas are clean, tidy and well maintained. The Shelter Aide also spends time with our feline residents to provide mental and physical stimulation. These enrichment activities allow our cats to continue to express normal feline behaviour despite being in a ‘shelter’ environment.

• Coordinate with fellow Shelter Aide to share the afternoon’s routine and duties, including oversight of the ‘front’ or ‘back’ areas of the Animal Centre
• Perform laundry tasks (washing, drying and folding linens)
• Stock trolleys
• Clean dirty animal dishes and litter pans
• Disinfect cat carriers and / or kennels, if appropriate
• Remove contents of empty kennels for adopted cats, if appropriate
• Dispose of garbage and recyclables
• Tidy, clean and disinfect surfaces and floors in Animal Kitchen, Medical Intake Room and communal areas
• Feed kittens and other cats (if needed)
• Top up water and dry food (if needed)
• Scoop litter boxes in Main Adoption Rooms
• Assist Cat Care Coordinator (if needed)

• Maintain clean and organized litter, kennels, counter tops and communal areas (shelving, windows, etc.) in the assigned room(s)
• Disinfect toys (loose and in kennels), scratching posts, wooden boxes, climbing apparatus, etc. in the assigned room
• Feed cats / kittens wet food (as appropriate), provide fresh water and maintain feeding stations
• Wash up any dirty animal dishes
• Perform laundry tasks (gathering dirty laundry in sacks if assigned to Room 3, and all Team Members assist with washing, drying and folding linens)
• Dispose of garbage and recyclables
• Wipe all surfaces after use
• Tasks specific to the room assigned include:
  • Wiping surfaces and floors in the Animal Kitchen, as necessary
  • Placing cats ready for ‘moving up’ into carriers
  • Carrying cats in carriers to the appropriate Adoptions Room / kennel
  • Weighing cats (if specified on Kennel Cards), with assistance from the Cat Care Coordinator as required
• 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)
  • 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

• Consistent and open communication with Adoptions Coordinator
• Review information on dogs available for adoption (name, age, background, medical / special needs, etc.)
• Spend time with dogs to assist with the perfect match
• Answer visitors’ and potential adopters’ questions about dogs available for adoption
• Answer basic questions about the organization
• Seize opportunities during conversation to transition potential adopters into volunteers or donors
• Outline ‘Adopters Welcome’ process to potential adopters
• Assist adopters with completion of adoption applications
• Ensure any behavioural or health related questions specific to the animal are communicated
• Diligently and thoroughly address concerns raised by adopters to prevent adoption returns
• Decide on suitability of potential adopter for dog selected
• Assist Customer Service Coordinators with adoption processing
• Assist Cat Adoption Counselor during shift, as needed
• Prepare adoption kits on an as needed basis
• Attend ad hoc local off-site adoption events, if desired

The GTHS Food Fairy ensures that all kittens and cats in the building are fed. Other duties include: 

• topping up water 
• washing food dishes 
• tidying 
• record keeping as necessary and following the feeding chart accurately.

 
Of course, our cats will also appreciate cuddles and play time!

The GTHS Animal Hospital contains an Operating Room, Treatment Room, Examination Room, Pharmacy and X-Ray Room and a Hospital Intake/Recovery Area, and provides spay/neuter surgeries for over 1500 homeless pets annually. Having an onsite hospital ensures animals receive timely, thorough and comprehensive care, saves dozens of daily phone calls, reduces trips back and forth to veterinary clinics, dramatically decreases the stress on GTHS animals, and leads to the additional benefit of earlier adoption availability; so these animals find their forever home quickly. The GTHS Animal Hospital also assists local pet owners in need by providing essential vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries for their pets.

Reporting to the Director of Medicine and Hospital Registered Veterinary Technician, the Hospital Assistan

t Volunteer will be responsible for:
• Maintaining the Operating Room and Prep Area
• Overseeing the Maintenance and Packing of Surgical Instruments
• Using sterilization & cleaning equipment (including an Autoclave)

The GTHS Animal Hospital contains an Operating Room, Treatment Room, Examination Room, Pharmacy, X-Ray Room and a Hospital Intake / Recovery Area, and provides spay/neuter surgeries for over 1500 homeless pets annually. Having an onsite hospital ensures animals receive timely, thorough and comprehensive care, saves dozens of daily phone calls, reduces trips back and forth to veterinary clinics, dramatically decreases the stress on the GTHS animals, and leads to the additional benefit of earlier adoption availability; so these animals find their forever home quickly. 
 
The Hospital Discharge Volunteer is responsible for discharging animals to the public after their Hospital appointment / surgery, create kennel tags and preparing for the next day's appointments and overseeing the cleanliness of the small Hospital Intake Room.

We are always looking for volunteers in Orillia (112 Norweld location) to help with:

• Cleaning
• Fostering cats
• Fundraising
• Board members

• Answering phones
• Taking messages
• Answering front door for visitors
• Seating visitors
• Some filing
• Organizing desk material as required

Dog Care Team Members 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 (activities that provide mental and physical stimulation for our dogs).

Scheduled training is required upon joining the Dog Care Team and will be required intermittently to progress through the Dog Care Program.

• Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ health and welfare
  o Maintain clean and organized kennels (inside and outside)
  o Disinfect kennels and toys 
  o Prepare and provide treats, medication, breakfast and clean water as required or 
  instructed
  o Wash up any dirty animal dishes (in Animal Equipment Room)
  o Assist with Animal Centre laundry (washing, drying and folding linens)
  o Dispose of garbage and recyclables
  o Ensure dogs are safe and secure
• If interested and time permits:
  o Dog bathing, grooming, Room 5 petting, time in Dog Yard or X-Pen
  o Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
  o 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

Love chatting with people, sharing stories and educating all ages about wildlife and cohabitating with them? Consider becoming a tour guide (don’t worry if you don’t know much about wildlife, we provide you with training).  
The public can book guided group tours with us any time of the year. It’s wonderful to see their reactions upon seeing a Moose or bear for the first time!  
Guided tours are a great way for us to educate the public and create awareness of what we do and it’s also a good way to raise funds for our registered charity.                                                                                                            Guided tours are outdoor walking events on unpaved paths. One tours take approx. 2 hours.

This is a wonderful hands-on opportunity to learn about our native wild animals. Procyon Wildlife counts on volunteer animal caregivers to carry out the essential duties that allow orphaned and injured animals to return to the wild. If you are able to commit once a week, you will find this very rewarding! 

The duties of this ongoing volunteer position involve: 

• Preparing food for, and feeding animals of all ages, cleaning cages 
• Observing animal behaviour and condition, and record keeping 
• Housekeeping such as laundry, washing dishes, cleaning counters, floors, and equipment, and light yard work

Recreational Therapy Volunteer: Assists our Recreational Therapist with a wide range of hands-on activities including individual and group-based games, art projects, equine learning, life skills and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Horse interaction will occur as  well as assisting & working alongside participants. No horse experience required. 

Unmounted Horse Leader: Assists in preparing, grooming and leading the horse at the same time as the participant. You will interact with horses and participants. Horse experience an asset, we will train you.

Side Walker: Walks beside the horse and participant providing support and stability. Involves a good deal of walking. No horse experience required, we will train you.

Mounted Horse Leader: Assists the participant in preparing the horse for the lesson & may involve leading the horse during the lesson depending on the participant's ability.  Involves a good deal of walking and at times short bouts of jogging with the horse. Horse experience required.

Leader
• Grooming and tack up of the horse
• Leading of the horse for warm-up
• Control of the horse during class
• Un-tack horse and cleanup of equipment
• Sidewalker
• Support the rider as necessary to balance
• Assist rider to complete skills as needed
• Assist leader with tack and cleanup

Two sites: Camphill Nottawasaga, near Angus and Camphill Sophia Creek in Barrie.

Camphill Sophia Creek (Barrie)

• work in the mosaic studio
• help with meal preparation in the Cafe
• assist with recreational activities, music sessions and cultural outings, Bingo events and other special events such as Fall Fairs

Camphill Nottawasaga (Angus)

• help with programs in woodworking, pottery, candlemaking, and bakery/meal preparation
• can be involved in maple syrup production, working in the vegetable gardens and caring for livestock (Highland cows horses and goats)

Both locations need volunteers to help with set-up, cash management and take-down at our Farmers Markets

Purpose of the Position: Join the team to change the lives of people with disabilities and youth who are experiencing challenges by providing a loving home and obedience training to a Service Dog-in-training during its puppyhood. 
 
Responsibilities and Duties: 
 
- Raise a confident and responsive puppy. 
- Care for the dog’s needs according to guidelines from COPE. 
- Provide consistent structure, rules and boundaries to the dog according to training from COPE. 
- Provide obedience training and socialization to the dog. 
- Transport the dog to and from its training programs: Canines in the Classroom (Innisfil) or Refinement Training (Barrie). Multiple pick up/drop off locations in Barrie and Innisfil by COPE van is available. 
- Support from Puppy Sitter Volunteer network is available for vacations or emergencies. 
- Dog food, routine veterinary care, one dog crate, walking harness and leash are provided by COPE. 
 
NOTE: 
The application process takes time and training space is limited, please submit your application now to allow enough time to set up a home interview and ensure a training spot is reserved for you upon the approval of your application. 

• Leading horses for challenged equestrians
• Sidewalking with those clients who may need some extra support
• Volunteers also required during summer camps and March break for tasks mentioned and other activities such as crafts

Please visit the website to find out how you can help and fill out the application to apply

Visit regularly with your dog (visits about 1 hour in length) at an assigned seniors' residence, nursing home, or other facility in Northumberland County from Port Hope to Brighton to Campbellford area; meet and greet the public at community events ranging from fairs and festivals to parades and fundraisers

PM Dog Care Team Members report to the Dog Care Coordinator and help to maintain the general health and welfare of the dogs in our care at the Animal Centre. In part this is achieved by participating in our Canine Enrichment Program to provide mental and physical stimuli to these dogs. To support the wide range of dog behaviours and needs we encounter at the GTHS, PM Dog Care Team Members complete a Dog Care Program*; quickly progressing from Green dogs (ie. puppies and seniors who are easy to walk and handle) to 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.

• Consistent and open communication with Adoptions Coordinator
• Review information on cats available for adoption (name, age, background, medical / special needs, etc.)
• Spend time with cats to assist with the perfect match
• Answer visitors’ and potential adopters’ questions about cats available for adoption
• Use microchip scanner to identify cats
• Answer basic questions about the organization
• Seize opportunities during conversation to transition potential adopters into volunteers or donors
• Outline ‘Adopters Welcome’ process to potential adopters
• Assist adopters with completion of adoption applications
• Ensure any behavioural or health related questions specific to the animal are communicated
• Diligently and thoroughly address concerns raised by adopters to prevent adoption returns
• Decide on suitability of potential adopter for cat selected
• Assist Customer Service Coordinators with adoption processing
• Assist Dog Adoption Counselor during shift, as needed
• Prepare adoption kits on an as needed basis
• Attend ad hoc local off-site adoption events, if desired

Dog Care Enrichment Volunteers participate in our Canine Enrichment Program to provide mental and physical stimuli to the dogs in our care. Dog Care Volunteers interact with the majority of dogs at our Animal Centre, so complete a Dog Care Program in order to interact with 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), with the ultimate goal of working with Red dogs (ie. strong pullers with some behavioural issues who are difficult to walk and handle). Training is required upon joining the Dog Care Team and will be required intermittently to progress through the Dog Care Program.

• 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

Main Responsibilites

-Provide a loving, nurturing environment for the dog.

-Book and bring the dog to vet appointments.

-Provide some basic training (e.g. house training, crate training, basic commands, leash walking, etc.).

-Pick up the dog's supplies.

-Provide adoption coordinator with regular updates and photos on the dog's progress.

-Attend meet and greets with potential adopters.

Support

-There is no financial cost to foster.  All vet and medication expenses and supplies (dog bed, food, crate, leash, collar, toys, pee pads, etc.) are covered by HTDR.

-HTDR provides continuous support to fosters through their assigned foster, medical and adoption coordinators.

-HTDR foster community is connected through social media to provide support, suggestions and resources.

-HTDR works with fosters to match them with dogs that meet their preferences (size, age, temperament, etc.)

-Accepting a rescue dog is voluntary and fosters determine their availability.

-If a placement is not working out, an alternate foster will be found as quickly as possible.

-Assistance with transportation of dog and supplies can sometimes be arranged.

Frequently Asked Questions

-Fostering typically lasts 3 to 15 weeks, depending on the needs of the dog.

-Foster homes can have children and other pets.  Pet vaccinations must be up-to-date.

-Condos and apartments are welcome as foster homes once it is verified that dogs are allowed in the building.

-HTDR currently has fosters in Toronto and several regions around the GTA.  Most veterinarian partners are located in Toronto and around the GTA but HTDR has a vet partner in Thornbury as well.

-Planning to travel?  No problem.  Fostering works around your schedule.

HTDR is a registered charity: 742383003RR0001

Donor Engagement Volunteers report to the Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Donor Relations Specialist, and/or the Annual Giving Manager to gain guidance in fostering positive relationships with donors. by contacting them upon becoming a regular donor or after donating to a ‘signature’ event or campaign. These volunteers will contact identified regular donors or signature event donors and may participate in regular Donor Relations Team meetings to collaborate on ideas that will enhance the relationships that leadership and legacy donors have with the GTHS, to inspire higher levels of giving. This is a remote volunteer position (with occasional onsite activities) and volunteers will utilize their own computer or tablet, telephone and internet.

• Participation in monthly Donor Relations Team meeting with the Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Donor Relations Specialist, and/or Annual Giving Manager – virtual or in-person
• Independent conversations with donor contacts via email, in person, and / or telephone
• Performs independent research on subject matter when required
• May be asked to participate in donor engagement activities such as donor tours of the Animal Centre
• Networking and relationship building
• Acquiring a solid knowledge of the GTHS and fundraising best practices

The GTHS Animal Hospital contains an Operating Room, Treatment Room, Examination Room, Pharmacy and X-Ray Room and a Hospital Intake/Recovery Area, and provides spay/neuter surgeries for over 1500 homeless pets annually. Having an onsite hospital ensures animals receive timely, thorough and comprehensive care, saves dozens of daily phone calls, reduces trips back and forth to veterinary clinics, dramatically decreases the stress on GTHS animals, and leads to the additional benefit of earlier adoption availability; so these animals find their forever home quickly. The GTHS Animal Hospital also assists local pet owners in need by providing essential vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries for their pets.

Reporting to the Director of Medicine and Hospital Registered Veterinary Technician, the Hospital Recovery Volunteer will be responsible for maintaining an orderly Recovery Room, assisting with recovering patients and the movement of animals.

• Set up the Recovery Room for the day
  • This includes making sure kennels have towels and a floor recovery space is set up for large dogs
• Assist with transporting animals into and out of the hospital
• Assist post-surgery
  • Handle, restrain and care for animals
  • Monitor animals’ recovery post-surgery (vital signs)
  • Report any abnormalities in recovery to the Veterinary Technician
  • Help administer vaccines / medications / microchips, under direction
  • Help ensure all animals treated in the hospital have records that are maintained accurately
• Assist post-recovery
  • Return recovered animals to the appropriate location (onsite at the animal centre or for pick-up
• Maintain an orderly Recovery Room
  • Store vaccines / medications / microchips appropriately
  • Disinfect / sanitize monitoring equipment
  • Clean and disinfect cages, floors, surfaces and surrounding areas
  • Dispose of garbage and recyclables
  • Wash any dishes used
• Assist hospital staff as required
• Follow appropriate protocol, legislation and regulations

https://ontariospca.ca/animalsmart/

As a Humane Education Volunteer Team Member, you would deliver presentations (60-75 minutes in length) primarily to local schools. The content for presentations will cover the Ontario SPCA mission and reflect humane education`s goal to inspire compassion, empathy, and respect for all animals, inspiring a connection with animals.

AnimalSmart™ presentations take a student-centred approach, aiming to foster meaningful conversations about animals through discussions, videos, and activities with curriculum connections. 

Previous teaching, presenting or experience working in a school setting would be an asset. 

 -Have good working knowledge of PowerPoint, Google Classroom, and other presentation software.  

-Ability to clearly communicate instructions to students.   

-Must provide a clear Criminal and Judicial Matters Check. 

-A vehicle in good working order will be required for this role.   

-Must reside within our Animal Centre communities (York, Durham, Barrie, Lennox & Addington, Leeds & Grenville, Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville, Orillia, Renfrew County, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, & Sudbury.  

-Must be able to provide daytime availability (during school hours). 

-Must be available to deliver 4 presentations a month.  

-Access to a personal tech device on a secure Wi-Fi network. 

• Follow regiments and medical chart instructions for each cat in the medroom.  This may include giving medications, syringe feeding, giving sub-q fluids, giving insulin, general cleaning of cats eyes, noses etc
• Check off that treatments have been done and document any changes in cats condition
• Clean and refill water bowls
• Cleaning and filling food bowls, taking note if any cats that require a special type of food
• Keeping the cats cages clean, change any dirty or soiled linens, wipe down cages
• Scoop litter boxes and clean them as needed 
• Ensure Med Room is kept clean. Weep and mop floors, put clean linens away, remove garbage
• Socialize with the cats and kittens; play, brush, pet etc

The Pet Bereavement Volunteer is responsible for co-hosting a monthly Pet Bereavement Group, in partnership with Hospice Georgian Triangle, to support pet owners come to terms with the loss of their pet and to facilitate the sharing of pet ownership experiences in an empathetic environment.

• Session preparation:
  • Collect GTHS signage, documentation and any other supplies required from Animal Centre
  • Ensure venue is clean, tidy and welcoming for attendee’s arrival

• Session wrap-up:
• Tidy venue
• Return GTHS property to Animal Centre, as appropriate
• Co-host Group with Hospice Georgian Triangle by assisting with planned activities and discussions
• Hospice Georgian Triangle will lead and plan sessions, GTHS volunteers will provide support and friendly, non-judgemental, and empathetic connection for group participants
• Promote additional GTHS programs and services, as appropriate

• Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures

Shelter volunteers are required from 9AM to 12PM and 6PM to 8PM (5PM to 7PM on Saturdays and Sundays) daily to complete tasks including feeding, refreshing water bowls, scooping and changing litter boxes, cleaning cages, and  changing linens for the cats at the shelter.  

Other volunteer opportunities include cat socializing, fundraising, adoption volunteers, vet runners, admin - calling potential adopters and conducting follow up calls.  

Volunteers visit seniors' centres, hospitals and schools with properly evaluated dogs, no less than 1 year old, providing residents and patients the companionship of a pet.

Volunteer positions at Ruff Mudder which is a Human and canine obstacle course in a forest setting in Stayner, ON on June 24th and June 25th:

Course Obstacle Monitor, Registration, Gopher, Photographer, Parking Trail prep, In-forest busker.  

• Pick up multiple dogs at various locations and transport to and from designated locations for Canines in the Classroom student training and also to Refinement Training, in Barrie and Innisfil, using the van provided by COPE,
• refuel COE Van at Esso Stations, as needed, using the company gas card,
• Van pickup and drop-off at COPE office parking lot.

Using COPE Service Dogs van (to be picked up at Barrie office), pick up dogs dogs at various homes in the Barrie area in the morning, drop them off at schools in Barrie and Innisfil, for students to train them for approx. one hour.  If doing a second shift in the afternoon, pick the dogs up from the school, then drive them back home.

Valid drivers license a requirement,

Must have clean driving record,

Must have some experience with dogs,

Must be able to lift 30 pounds,

6-month commitment required, with a minimum of 2 shifts per week.

Flexible shifts, Monday to Friday, during the daytime.

Vans do not go out on School holidays or snow days.