BC SPCA - Tri-Cities

Animal Fostering.  Foster Care volunteers give vulnerable animals a safe place to heal, grow, learn, and feel  secure. When animals need extra support, fostering provides an essential level of care that  helps them prepare for their forever home or gives them a safe place to stay before being  reunited with their families.  Responsibilities  Communicate urgently with the centre when an animal requires veterinary attention.  • Spend quality time with foster animals daily by providing enrichment activities, play, grooming/petting,  and exercise.  • Provide a suitable environment that meets the animal's needs.  • Ability to transport to/from the centre and/or veterinarian as needed.  • Complete behaviour and health reports as needed.  Requirements & Training  • Philosophical harmony with our mission, vision, values and strategic directions.  • Fosters, or lead fosters in a family, must be 19+ years of age and have housing where pets are permitted.  • Completion of BC SPCA provided online training must be completed prior to starting to foster.  • Previous experience caring for injured/ill animals preferred.  • Open to learning new animal care and training methods.  Volunteering Conditions  • Animal Handling: Working directly with animals may involve low-stress handling, or caring for them,  which requires patience and attention to detail.  • Safety Protocols: Volunteers must adhere to safety protocols to protect themselves and the animals. This  includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary.  • Potential Hazards: Be aware of potential hazards such as bites, scratches, or exposure to zoonotic  diseases. Training will cover how to minimize these risks.  Time Commitment  • Approximately 1-3 hours of online training is required for entry into the foster program. Length of  training will depend upon animal type you are interested in fostering.  Attendance to an in-centre orientation or interview may be required before starting to foster.  • We request that fosters commit to being on the foster list for a minimum of 6 months after application  has been accepted.  • The length of each foster placement varies depending upon a variety of factors and can be just a  weekend, or months while an animal heals from surgery or a new mother raises her newborns.  Benefits of Volunteering  • Fostering makes a direct impact on animals in need, can bring joy to volunteers, and strengthen family  bonds. It's also a great way to gain valuable skills for future careers in animal care.  Quality time with animals who need your support.  • The intrinsic reward of making a difference in an animal's life by caring for them as they transition into  their forever homes.  • Opportunities to attend BC SPCA events, training and more.  Is fostering with the BC SPCA Right for You?  LEARN MORE  Questions? Email volunteers@spca.bc.ca  MISSION  PROTECTING VULNERABLE ANIMALS AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES SO  ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THRIVE TOGETHER.

Transport Volunteer.  Join a compassionate community and make a real difference as an Animal Transport Volunteer  with the BC SPCA. You'll play a vital role in safely moving animals and essential supplies  where they're needed most. If you love animals and enjoy being on the road, this is the perfect  way to combine both passions.  Responsibilities  Transport animals to and from local veterinary clinics for medical appointments  • Transport animals between BC SPCA locations  • Pick up supplies for animals in care  • Ensure animals are transported in a safe and secure manner  • Oversee vehicle maintenance as needed  • Communicate with centre staff if there are any concerns  • Adhere to all BC SPCA Animal Transfer Protocols and Policies  Requirements & Training  Age 19+ years of age.  • The volunteer application will request:  o A photo of the front of your valid class 5 BC driver's license.  o A recently obtained driving record from ICBC: https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/clio .  • Note: the correct document required is a driving record not driving factor report.  • Completion of BC SPCA's Vehicle Use Policies and Agreements  Comfortable driving cargo vans.  • Ability to lift animals and/or supplies up to 50 lbs.  Calm and understanding disposition.  Works well on a team and independently.  Philosophical harmony with our mission, vision, values and strategic directions.  Completion of BC SPCA online training must be completed prior to starting to volunteer.  Volunteering Conditions  • Indoor and Outdoor Settings: Animal Transport Volunteers may work in a mix of indoor and outdoor  environments, including shelters, veterinary clinics, vehicles, and outdoor areas during animal pick-ups  and drop-offs.  • Weather Conditions: Driving and transport can happen in all kinds of weather such as rain, snow, ice, and  heat. Dressing for the conditions and being prepared for seasonal changes will help keep you comfortable  and safe.  • Lifting and Moving: You may need to lift or move supplies, equipment, or animals. If you need any  accommodations, we're happy to chat about how we can support you.  • Animal Handling: When interacting with animals, you'll use low-stress handling techniques to help keep  them calm and comfortable during transport.  • Safety Protocols: To keep both you and the animals safe, volunteers follow established safety  procedures, including using PPE when needed and reporting any concerns to staff.  • Potential Hazards: Working with animals and driving can come with certain risks. These may include bites  or scratches, sudden animal movement, exposure to zoonotic diseases, or vehicle-related issues such as  flat tires, mechanical problems, or accidents. Training will help you understand these risks and how to  minimize them.  • Safe Vehicle Use: Volunteers are expected to operate vehicles safely and responsibly at all times. This  includes following the rules of the road, securing animals and supplies properly, and checking that the  vehicle is in safe working condition before driving.  • Emergency Situations: While uncommon, unexpected situations can happen on the road. Volunteers  should be prepared to respond calmly to things like vehicle issues, animal distress, or sudden changes in  driving conditions. Training will cover what to do and who to contact if something comes up.  Time Commitment  • Will vary based on location and need.  May include casual or on-call, as needed.  • Weekday availability, preferably between 8:00am-10:OOam and 3:00pm-6:OOpm to accommodate  dropping off animals at veterinarian clinics and picking up after procedures.  Transport requests may be received 7 days a week, depending on the needs of the centre.  Benefits of Volunteering  • The rewarding experience of helping animals get the care, safety, and comfort they need.  • Opportunities to build confidence and skills in animal handling and safe transport.  Experience that can be added to resumes, especially for roles involving driving, logistics, or animal care.  • Opportunities to attend BC SPCA events, training sessions, and learning workshops.  Improved communication and teamwork skills through regular interaction with staff, clinics, and shelters.  Connection with a supportive community of staff and volunteers who share your love for animals.  Questions? Email volunteers@spca.bc.ca  MISSION  PROTECTING VULNERABLE ANIMALS AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES SO  ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THRIVE TOGETHER.