Equine and Farm Foster.  Equine and Farm Program Fosters help the BC SPCA house and care for many horses and  other farm animals across the province, every year. We are seeking the support of private  farms, ranches and land owners, groups, riding clubs and others with the space and facilities,  to help foster large animals in need of temporary care. Your assistance can help these animals  recover and thrive until they find permanent homes.  Responsibilities:  • Provide a suitable & safe environment for the animal(s) in foster care for an unknown period of time.  • Provide daily care including feeding, watering, grooming, exercising, maintaining a clean living  environment and so on.  • Ensure the foster animal(s) 5 freedoms are met: https://spca.bc.ca/faqs/five-freedoms  Ensure other animals in the home and on the property have up-to-date vaccinations and can live safely and comfortable with other animals coming and going from the property.  • Ensure you have the space and facilities to keep the foster animal isolated from other animals on the property as needed.  • Be on call for emergency placement, and available to return animals when requested.  • Adhere to all specialized policies directly linked to the program.  • Submit weekly reports to the manager or designate and communicate urgently if the animal requires veterinary attention.  • Adhere to BC SPCA policies and procedures.  • Note: feed, medical care, and other costs are assessed and paid by the BC SPCA on a case-by-case basis.  Requirements & Training:  • Dependable and committed with the ability to work independently.  • Experience working with animals that may have experienced trauma or neglect.  • Patience & empathy.  • Positive reinforcement, evidence-based methods of animal handling, training and care.  • Understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality.  Specific knowledge and experience with horses and/or one or more species of other farm animals.  • Must have existing infrastructure appropriate for the species you wish to foster. This may include but is not limited to appropriate housing such as coupes, stalls, paddocks, pastures, feed and water systems.  • A site visit by a staff member may be required before final approval is given to foster for this program.  Volunteering Conditions:  • Indoor and Outdoor Settings: Volunteers may work both indoors and outdoors, depending on the tasks. Indoor settings include animal care areas, offices, and medical facilities, while outdoor work might involve handling and care of the animals.  • Weather Conditions: Outdoor tasks may require working in various weather conditions, including rain,snow, ice, or heat. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for seasonal changes.  • Lifting and Moving: Volunteers may need to lift or move supplies, equipment, or animals, which can require physical strength and stamina.  • Standing and Walking: Many roles involve long periods of standing or walking, particularly when interacting with animals.  • 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:  • Care for a specific foster animal may last only days or weeks, but we request fosters be part of our program for 6 months or longer.  • At least 2 hours per day focused time with the animal(s).  May require more depending on the type of animal and its specific needs.  Benefits of Volunteering:  • The intrinsic reward of making a difference in an animal's life by caring for them until they can be rehomed or returned to their guardian.  Quality time with animals that need your support.  • Building a supportive community through collaboration with the BC SPCA to provide animals in our care with a high standard of evidence-based animal welfare and behaviour support  Questions? Email volunteers@spca.bc.ca.  MISSION-  PROTECTING VULNERABLE ANIMALS AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES SO  ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THRIVE TOGETHER.

Equine and Farm Hauler.  Join our team of passionate animal lovers as a volunteer hauler for our Equine and Farm  Program. Work in partnership with staff and volunteers to ensure that animals taken into our  care, are safely transported to one of our locations or another approved foster facility. You  will drive animals from a pick-up location to a drop-off location, in order to ensure they  receive the care they need, in a timely fashion.  Responsibilities:  • Transport horses or other farm animals to facilities where they will receive the care they require, including veterinary clinics or foster facilities.  • Drive animals on short hauls (in the community/region) or longer hauls (across BC) and possibly wait on standby for a few hours on-site before loading occurs.  • Pick up of animals from a humane officer, that have been seized and surrendered animals, and/or are part of a Large Scale Animal Intake, or municipal contract support for farm animals-at-large.  • Help handle, load and unload horses or farm animals.  • Ensure animals are transported in a safe and secure manner .  • Adhere to BC policies and procedures.  Additional Information:  • Costs are addressed on a case-by-case basis. At a minimum, fuel costs are covered. Donated time and services are appreciated.  Requirements & Training:  • Must provide proof of a valid Class 5 Driver's Licence and an ICBC Driver's Record.  • Your own vehicle and trailer with valid insurance for both.  • Trailer/vehicle inspection record if commercial.  • Good customer service skills.  • Physically fit and able to lift up to 50 lbs.  • Familiar with your community, region, and confident with navigation when transporting to other areas of BC.  • Panels/chutes are an asset but not required.Must be in philosophical harmony with our mission, vision, values, and strategic directions  Volunteering Conditions:  • Indoor and Outdoor Settings: Volunteers may work both indoors and outdoors, depending on the tasks.  Indoor settings include animal care areas, offices, automobiles, and medical facilities, while outdoor work might involve stalls, paddocks, and pastures.  • Weather Conditions: This role may require driving in various weather conditions, including rain, snow, ice, or heat. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for seasonal changes.  • Lifting and Moving: Volunteers may need to lift or move supplies, equipment, or animals, which can require physical strength and stamina.  • Standing, Walking, Sitting: This role involves periods of standing or walking, particularly when interacting with animals, as well as long periods of sitting/driving.  • Animal Handling: Working directly with animals may involve low-stress handling and transporting 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 associated with driving and those related to working with animals such as bites, scratches, or exposure to zoonotic diseases. Training will cover how to minimize these risks.  Time Commitment:  • This is an on call role. The frequency of hauling requests is varied and generally infrequent.  • Be willing and able to commit to the program for a minimum of 6 months.  Benefits of Volunteering:  • Engagement in a province-wide initiative and working with other passionate animal lovers.  • Experience for future roles in your field of interest.  • Experience working with vulnerable horses and farm animals, to ensure they receive proper care and attention.  Questions? Email volunteers@spca.bc.ca.  MISSION:  PROTECTING VULNERABLE ANIMALS AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES SO  ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THRIVE TOGETHER.