Medical Foster Volunteer

Medical foster volunteers with the Provincial Foster Care Program will temporarily provide a safe and nurturing environment in their home for animals with short-term or long-term medical needs.

 

The program provides animals with an opportunity for time in a home environment where they can recover. The commitment time can vary from short-term to long-term, depending on the health status of the individual animal. We understand that each foster home is unique, you will have a chance to review the animals' needs and estimated length of stay before they are placed in your home to ensure that the animal will be a good fit.

 

Benefits:

The Medical Foster Program benefits animals who have medical needs and who are either too young, sick or injured to thrive in an Animal Centre environment, or who are recovering from surgery, or other medical conditions. Instead, animals are cared for and rehabilitated in a nurturing foster home.

 

Medical Responsibilities:

  • Administer medications including but not limited to pills, eye drops, ear drops, liquid medication etc.
  • Administer medical treatments including but not limited to bandaging, wound cleaning, implementing physical rehabilitation exercises etc.
  • Providing transportation to vet appointments
  • Providing transportation to Centre appointments
  • Follow the animal care plan as provided by the Centre
  • Complete appropriate charting/documentation as provided by the Centre (i.e. food intake, appetite, weight chart, elimination etc.)

 

General Responsibilities:

  • Feed and monitor the health of foster animals
  • Provide a safe environment for the foster animals
  • Follow Fear Free™ evidence-based techniques
  • Abide by all Foster Program policies and procedures
  • Ensure safe interaction with people and other animals
  • Follow the animal care plan as outlined by the Animal Centre
  • Provide transportation for the animal as needed
  • Ensure any other animals in the home have up-to-date vaccinations
  • Pick up animal care supplies from the Animal Centre
  • Communicate week with the Centre Manager
  • Report any bites or scratches immediately to the Centre Manger
  • Groom, exercise, and train foster animals
  • Report any changes in health
  • Work closely with Centre Coordinator and Animal Behaviour Coordinator to fulfill animals training plan (where applicable)

 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 18 years of age
  • Ability to follow directions as outlined by the centre
  • Previous experience caring for animals with medical needs
  • Access to (or ability to provide) transportation
  • Ability to provide a safe and appropriately sized space to house foster animals that is segregated from household pets

 

Prerequisites:

  • Complete an online volunteer application form
  • Complete volunteer orientation forms and training
  • Complete foster care training

 

Supervision:

  • Foster Program volunteers will be supervised by the animal centre staff