The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth

Volunteers will provide bottle baby kitten(s) care within their own home.

Assignment Responsibilities:

• Providing daily care to an assigned bottle baby kitten(s) in one’s private home.
• Providing each kitten 10-12 feedings in a 24-hour period.
• With proper training, be comfortable with tube feeding kittens, if necessary.
• Tracking each kitten(s) food intake, elimination, bodyweight and temperature, as directed by Foster Coordinator or medical team.
• Stimulate kittens less than 4 weeks of age, to urinate and defecate.
• Provide litter box training to kittens from 3 weeks of age.
• Weaning from a liquid to solid diet.
• Administer medication.
• Transporting kittens to the centre for medical appointments.
• Picking up supplies or medications from the centre, and transporting to private home.
• Ongoing communication through email and telephone, with the Foster Coordinator or medical team to provide updates or photos.

Other Requirements & Assignment Boundaries:

• Must be age 18 years of age or older.
• Must reside in the Kitchener-Waterloo or Stratford Perth area.
• Must have a flexible lifestyle, to be with kittens at all times.
• Existing animals in their home are spayed/ neutered, up to date on vaccines, and have current license tag(s) for applicable animals.
• Volunteers, if renting, must show landlord consent for animals in the home.
• Volunteers must have a separate area for fosters.
• Volunteers must have access to transportation for vet appointments/ medical emergencies, supply or medication pick-ups.
• Must have access to a computer, email and telephone to communicate with our team.
• Must adhere to the policies outlined in the Foster Waiver form.
• Follow all Policies & Procedures as outlined by the Volunteer Manager or Foster Coordinator.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times and sign the confidentiality agreement.
• Must follow all HSKWSP policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Must have experience with kittens or cats.
• Must be able to bend, stoop and walk independently.
• Must be able to clean littler boxes.
• Ability to lift items up to 15 lbs.
• Ability to cope with potential emotionally stressful situations; neonatal mortality can/ does happen despite best efforts.
• Patient, calm demeanor and an interest in working with fragile kittens.

Training & Supervision:

• Volunteers will complete an online bottle baby training certificate course and organization specific training at home.
• Volunteers must attend one in-person 2-hour training session, held at the centre.
  • Kitchener Centre Training: March 23rd or March 27th, 6-8pm
  • Stratford Centre Training: March 30th or April 2, 6-8pm
• Volunteer will complete hands on training in centre, when picking up bottle babies for the first time.
• Ongoing training as needed. 

Time Commitment: 6 months.  Volunteer will not have kittens in their home for the entire 6 months, we are seeking volunteers who are able to commit to their role for 6 months. Must be available to start immediately after completing in-person training.

Foster Volunteers will support The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford Perth and our adoption dogs by providing care within their own home, while the dogs are waiting to find their forever homes.

Assignment Responsibilities:

• Providing daily care to an assigned foster dog in ones private home, including: feeding, walking, house training, behavior training.
• Transporting dogs to the centre for medical appointments and adoption appointments.
• Picking up supplies or medications from the centre, transporting to private home.
• Communicating with the Foster Coordinator ongoing with updates and photos to be used for adoption promotion, through email communication.

Other Requirements & Assignment Boundaries:

• Must be age 18 years of age or older.
• Must reside in the Kitchener-Waterloo or Stratford Perth area.
• Existing animals in their home are spayed/ neutered, up to date on vaccines, and have current license tag(s) for canines.
• Volunteers, if renting, must show landlord consent for animals in the home.
• Volunteers must have a separate area for fosters.
• Volunteers must have access to transportation for vet appointments/ medical emergencies, and supply or medication pick-ups.
• Must adhere to the policies outlined in the Foster Waiver form.
• Must follow all HSKWSP policies and procedures.
• Volunteers must have access to a computer and telephone.  Email address and telephone number must be in working order, to communicate with our team.

Qualifications:

• Must have experience with medium and large size dogs.
• Must be able to walk dogs weighing 40-80 lbs.
• Must be able to bend, stoop and walk independently.
• Ability to lift items up to 40 lbs.
• Must be comfortable handling the following behaviors: jumping up, mouthing, barking, pulling on a leash and house training.
• Ability to cope with potential emotionally stressful situations.
• Patient, calm demeanor and an interest in working with dogs who have behavior challenges.

Training & Supervision:

• Volunteers will complete a training presentation and quiz.
• Volunteers will complete one on one in-person training with our Canine Specialist on-site. 
• Ongoing training as needed.
• Volunteers will communicate directly with the Foster Coordinator ongoing.

Time Commitment: 6 months.  Must be available to start immediately.

Foster Volunteers will support The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford Perth and our adoption cats or small animals by providing care within their own home, while the animals are waiting to find their forever homes.

Assignment Responsibilities:

• Providing daily care to an assigned foster cat or small animal in ones private home, including: feeding, enrichment, house training, behaviour training.
• Transporting animal to the centre for medical appointments and adoption appointments.
• Picking up supplies or medications from the centre, and transporting to private home.
• Communicating with the Foster Coordinator ongoing with updates and photos to be used for adoption promotion, through both email and telephone.

Other Requirements & Assignment Boundaries:

• Must be age 18 years of age or older.
• Must reside in the Kitchener-Waterloo or Stratford Perth area.
• Existing animals in their home are spayed/ neutered, up to date on vaccines, and have current license tag(s) for canines.
• Volunteers, if renting, must show landlord consent for animals in the home.
• Volunteers must have a separate area for fosters.
• Volunteers must have access to transportation for vet appointments/ medical emergencies, supply or medication pick-ups.
• Must have access to a computer and telephone.  Email address and telephone number must be in working order, to communicate with our team.
• Must adhere to the policies outlined in the Foster Waiver form.
• Must follow all HSKWSP policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Must have experience with small animals or cats.
• Must be able to bend, stoop and walk independently.
• Must be able to clean littler boxes.
• Ability to lift items up to 15 lbs.
• Must be comfortable handling the following behaviors, as the animal adjusts to its new environment: hiding, hissing, refusal to eat, anxiety.
• Ability to cope with potential emotionally stressful situations.
• Patient, calm demeanor and an interest in working with animals

Training & Supervision:

• Volunteers will complete an on-line cat behaviour certificate training course.
• TLC Cat Fosters will complete 2 in-person TLC training shifts.
• Ongoing training as needed.
• Volunteers will communicate directly with the Foster Coordinator ongoing.

Time Commitment: 6 months.  Must be available to start immediately.

Volunteers will maintain a clean and healthy environment, by assisting with general animal husbandry in adoption cats.

Assignment Responsibilities:

• Assist Animal care with the morning cleaning, which includes:
  • Scrubbing of cat condos and small mammal areas.
  • Sweeping and mopping floors.
  • Cleaning litter boxes.
  • Cleaning of animal dishes.
  • Cleaning of animal laundry.
  • Maintaining general cleanliness of the Centre.
  • Putting away Centre donations.
  • Cleaning windows.
  • Fill out daily animal health charts.
  • Assure animals have sufficient food and water and reporting to Animal Care Team any health or behavioral changes or concerns.

Other Requirements & Assignment Boundaries:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must follow all HSKWSP policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with cats and other small animals is considered an asset.
• Must be comfortable handling cats and other small animals.
• Must be comfortable working on feet for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

Time Commitment: 6 months.  A weekly 2-hour schedule shift.

We are currently recruiting for Monday, Thursday- 8:30am-10:30am.

**Please note we are not able to  provide every applicant with an interview or position. **