BCSPCA

Small Animal Behaviour Support

Small Animal Behaviour Support volunteers assist with foundational care, enrichment, and socialization activities for animals in the behaviour program. They provide consistent, welfare-focused support that helps animals build confidence and reduce stress by following an animal’s management and behaviour plan, while supporting staff with assigned training and behaviour activities.

Responsibilities

Volunteers provide foundational behaviour support tasks and assist small animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, birds, and other species, in the behaviour program through structured handling, enrichment, and socialization. The role also includes engaging in observation and reporting activities and assisting with core animal care tasks.

Requirements & Training

Volunteers must be 19 years of age or older and complete on-site volunteer orientation and online training. Behaviour support training is required, along with competency sign-off by an Animal Behaviour Specialist or designate. Applicants should have experience working with small animals and be able to follow detailed instructions consistently.

Volunteers must be comfortable working with a variety of small animal species that may be experiencing fear, stress, or have an unknown history. Strong observational skills and an understanding of small animal body language are essential. Volunteers should also be in philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s mission, vision, values, and strategic directions.

Volunteering Conditions

The role may require lifting and moving supplies, equipment, or animals and therefore may require physical strength and stamina. Many duties involve extended periods of standing and walking, particularly when interacting with animals or the public.

Working directly with animals may involve low-stress handling and care, requiring patience and attention to detail. Volunteers must follow safety protocols designed to protect both themselves and the animals, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.

Potential hazards may include bites, scratches, or exposure to zoonotic diseases. Training is provided to help volunteers understand and minimize these risks.

Time Commitment

Approximately two hours of online training is required before entering the volunteer program. Volunteers are expected to complete a weekly two-hour shift.

Animal centres often prefer volunteers who can commit for an extended period to provide stability and continuity for the animals and the centre. A minimum commitment of three months is required, although four to six months is considered ideal.

Benefits of Volunteering

This role provides an opportunity to apply existing animal care skills in an advanced position while learning advanced low-stress animal-handling techniques. Volunteers support animals on behaviour modification plans, work directly with a variety of small animal species, and contribute to the BC SPCA’s mission of protecting vulnerable animals.

Questions?

Email volunteers@spca.bc.ca

Mission

Protecting vulnerable animals and mobilizing communities so animals and people thrive together.