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 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.

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

• 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. 

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.