Oakville & Milton Humane Society Volunteer Application

Role Descriptions both below - Cat Foster and Dog Foster

Foster Parent - Cats

Objective:

• Provides a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for cats who are not yet ready for adoption or need extra care before finding their new homes.
• Assists to ensure cats are healthy, socialized, and ready for adoption, thus increasing their chances of finding a permanent home.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe and clean environment for cats in your care, following all shelter guidelines.
• Feed, water, and monitor the health of the cats, ensuring they receive the proper care.
• Administer medications or treatments as directed by the shelter’s veterinarian.
• Socialize the cats, helping them become comfortable with human interaction.
• Monitor and record the cats’ behavior, health, and progress, and report any concerns.
• Help with the transition of cats back to the shelter when they are ready for adoption.
• Maintain regular communication with the shelter regarding the status of the fostered cats.

Qualifications:

• A love for animals and a willingness to provide them with compassionate care.
• Experience with cat care (e.g., feeding, cleaning litter boxes, administering medication) is helpful, but not required.
• Ability to recognize common health issues in cats, such as changes in appetite, behaviour, or signs of illness.
• Physical ability to clean and care for cats, including lifting and carrying supplies, cleaning cages or areas, and handling the cats safely.
• A quiet and secure living environment free of hazards for the cat.
• Ability to work independently, follow instructions, and communicate effectively with the shelter staff.
• Able to keep the cat separate from any other animal(s) in the home.
• Must live within a 40 minute drive of the shelter in the event their foster animal requires emergency veterinary care.  
• Must live within a 40 minute drive of the shelter in the event their foster animal requires emergency veterinary care.

Training:

• Online training
• Orientation with foster coordinator

Time Commitment:

• Foster parents should be prepared to care for a cat for anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the cat’s needs.
• The time commitment for fostering a cat can vary, but it typically requires daily care and attention, including feeding, cleaning, and socializing.
• Foster parents should be available for regular check-ins with the shelter staff and may need to bring the cat to the shelter for medical appointments or meet-and-greets with potential adopters.

Location:

• In-home

Supervision:

• Foster and Volunteer Coordinator

Foster Parent - Dogs

Objective:

• Provide a temporary, loving home for dogs that are not yet ready for adoption or need extra care before finding their forever home.
• Assists to enhance the well-being of the dogs and increasing their chances of adoption by helping them become well-adjusted, healthy, and prepared for life in a permanent home.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe, comfortable, and clean-living environment for foster dogs, ensuring their basic needs are met.
• Feed, water, and monitor the health of the dog, administering medications or treatments as directed by the shelter’s veterinarian.
• Walk the dog regularly, providing exercise and mental stimulation.
• Follow training or behaviour modification plans as laid out by the animal care manager and canine behaviour and enrichment specialist.
• Socialize the dog, helping them become familiar with new environments, people, and other animals if applicable.
• Monitor and record the dog’s behavior, health, and progress, and report any concerns or changes to the shelter staff.
• Transport the dog to the shelter for medical appointments or meet-and-greets with potential adopters.
• Help with the dog’s transition back to the shelter when they are ready for adoption.

Qualifications:

• A love for dogs and a commitment to providing them with a safe, caring environment.
• Experience with dog care (e.g., feeding, walking, basic training) is helpful.
• Ability to handle dogs of varying sizes, temperaments, and energy levels, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Physical ability to care for a dog, including lifting, walking, and providing regular care.
• A secure, pet-friendly living environment free of hazards.
• Ability to follow instructions, communicate with shelter staff, and provide regular updates on the dog’s progress.
• Must live within a 40 minute drive of the shelter in the event their foster animal requires emergency veterinary care.  

Training:

• Online training
• Orientation with foster coordinator

Time Commitment:

• Foster parents should be prepared to care for a dog for anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the dog’s needs.
• Foster parents are expected to provide daily care, including feeding, exercise, training, and socialization.
• Foster parents should be available for regular check-ins with the shelter staff and may need to bring the dog back to the shelter for medical appointments or meet-and-greets with potential adopters.

Location:

• In-home

Supervision:

• Foster & Volunteer Coordinator
• Canine Behaviour and Enrichment Specialist

Animal Ambassador

Objective: The Animal Ambassador Volunteer role was created to engage the community and promote the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) by having ambassador teams (volunteers and their pre-approved pets) attend special events, education programs and group visits. These teams represent OMHS and help foster a positive relationship with animals. Volunteers and their well-behaved pets (dogs, small animals, birds, reptiles) help draw attention to community booths, educate children and youth about animals, and inspire compassion and understanding of animals in need.

Responsibilities:

• Attend special events, group visits and children's programs with your pet to engage with youth and attendees.
• Represent OMHS by being an ambassador for the organization and its mission.
• Ensure that your pet is under control, on-leash, and well-behaved at all times.
• Provide a positive and engaging presence at events, helping to teach and engage community members about animals.

Qualifications:

• Volunteer:
  • Excellent animal handling skills and a strong understanding of animal body language.
  • Reliable, punctual, and comfortable interacting with the public.
  • Strong communication skills to represent OMHS professionally at events.
• Animal
  • House-trained (dogs) that are well-behaved in public.
  • Small animals, birds and reptiles that are comfortable and not stressed in a public environment, and are comfortable travelling with appropriate housing.
  • Excellent manners, calm and friendly with people of all ages.
  • Comfortable around other animals.
  • Strong self-control and the ability to stay calm in various public settings.
  • Dogs - Must be up-to-date on vaccinations (rabies and DHPP/DAPP) with proof provided.

Note: We are not accepting cats at this time.

Training:

• Volunteers and their pets will undergo an assessment to ensure they are a good fit for the role.
• Initial training may include instructions on handling dogs in public, understanding animal behavior, and event-specific guidelines.
• Ongoing training may be provided as necessary.

Time Commitment:

• Minimum six-month time commitment, though longer participation is wonderful.
• Educational programming, group visits and special events occur on weekdays, weekends and evenings.
• Shift length varies depending on the event or program and can vary between 30 minutes to 4 hours.
• Shifts are booked by our team reaching out with opportunities and volunteers indicating availability.

Supervision:

• Humane Education Coordinator
• Manager, Volunteer Program and Thrift Store
• Other roles as needed for special events

Thrift Store Associate

Objective: The Thrift Store Associate supports the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) by assisting with the daily operations of the Barkin' Bin Thrift Store. (Open Wednesday to Saturday 12pm-4pm; Located at 511 Pinegrove Road, Oakville). 

Responsibilities:

• Provide exceptional customer service by assisting customers.
• Operate the front desk, handling cash, debit, and Visa/MasterCard transactions.
• Accept and sort incoming donations, thank donors, and move items to the storage area for sorting and pricing.
• Merchandise items and stock shelves.
• Complete light housekeeping duties - dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, tidying and arranging  shelves, and cleaning counters and windows as needed.
• Adhere to all Barkin' Bin policies and procedures as outlined in the operations manual.
• Report any customer complaints, suggestions, or Health & Safety issues to the Manager, Volunteer Program and Thrift Store.
• Support and assist with training other volunteers as needed.
• Attend and help prepare for special Barkin' Bin events.

Qualifications:

• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to interact courteously with the public, volunteers, and staff.
• Good communication skills and ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to handle cash transactions and work with different payment methods (cash, debit, credit cards).
• Ability to use email, and send end-of-day sales reports, and other communications as needed. 
• Familiarity with retail operations, or willingness to learn.
• Be able to lift/carry up to 20 pounds; walk up and down stairs; and stand for extended time.
• Willing to complete a police record check with vulnerable sector screening.

Training:

• Online
• In-person training at the Thrift Store

Time Commitment:

• Minimum 6 month commitment required, but longer availability will be given preference
• Weekly recurring shift from 11:30am-4:30pm; ability to support other shifts if wanted

Supervision:

• Manager, Volunteer Program and Thrift Store 

Shifts:

• Wednesday to Saturday, 11:30am-4:30pm