Volunteer

*Adoption Events occur on various weekends throughout the year*

Location:

• Masonville PetSmart, Westwood Pet Valu, or Ren’s Pet Depot

Purpose:

• To help our animals get adopted into loving homes!

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the public in filling out adoption applications
• Answer questions from the public about HSLM
• Ensure cats and small animals are safe, happy, and healthy throughout the event
• Collect payment from approved adopters
• Represent Humane Society London & Middlesex in a positive and enthusiastic manner

Time Commitment:

• 1 shift is usually 2 – 4 hours at an adoption event

Required Skills:

• Friendly attitude towards the public and fellow volunteers
• Pay attention to detail and follow instructions
• Experience in customer service is an asset

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Events training (1/2 hour)

*Booths are set up at various events throughout the year (craft shows, vendor fairs, etc.), but the busiest times are November – December*

Location:

• Venues all over the City of London and the Counties of Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford

Purpose:

• To sell packaged and home-made pet gifts (for cats and dogs)

Key Responsibilities: Sales

• Represent Humane Society London & Middlesex in a positive and enthusiastic manner
• Set up/tear down of booth
• Keep items organized (pet gifts, documents, sale slips, etc.)
• Collect payment from customers

Time Commitment:

• 1 shift is usually 3 – 4 hours
• Attend at least 1 event throughout the calendar year

Required Skills:

• Friendly attitude towards the public and fellow volunteers
• Pay attention to detail and follow instructions
• Experience in customer service is an asset

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Events training (1/2 hour)

HSLM relies on the support and dedication of volunteers to knit, sew and crochet pet toys, beds and apparel (bandanas, sweaters) to sell at over a dozen venues and events throughout the calendar year.

Purpose/Overview:

• To sew, knit and crochet dog and cat toys, beds, and apparel to be sold as a fundraising initiative throughout the year.
• Volunteers are provided with all necessary materials (fabric, fleece, cotton stuffing, etc) and instructions needed to complete sewing, knitting & crocheting products.

Time Commitment:

• Time commitment of this volunteer role is dependent on the type and quantity of products the volunteer is willing/able to provide. It is preferred that volunteers commit on a year-round basis.

Required Skills:

• Pay attention to detail and follow instructions
• Previous experience sewing, crocheting and/or knitting is preferred

Training:

• Training for sewing, crocheting and/or knitting is not provided, however all volunteers are provided with instructions, patterns and all other necessary supplies (with the exception of sewing machines, knitting needles, etc).

*Includes our largest annual fundraiser Bark in the Park Festival (June), Cookies & Cupcakes (February) and many other events throughout the year*

Location:

• May take place at the shelter or at off-site venues in London and Middlesex County

Purpose:

• To raise awareness and/or funds for Humane Society London & Middlesex

Key Responsibilities

• Represent Humane Society London & Middlesex in a positive and enthusiastic manner
• Other responsibilities will vary depending on the event and will be outlined in greater detail before sign-up

Time Commitment:

• Approximately 3 – 4 hours each shift

Required Skills:

• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff
• Able to work as a member of a team
• Follow instructions

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Additional training will depend on the nature of the event

Purpose:

• To enrich shelter dogs lives by bringing them to Plover Mills Dog Arena

Key Responsibilities:

• Use shelter van and/or bus to drive shelter animals to Plover Mills Dog Arena (Thorndale, Ontario)
• Provide attention, care, play-time, etc to shelter dogs while at the arena
• Ensure safety of dogs at all times
• Maintain cleanliness of the arena 

Time Commitment:

• Weekly commitment of 2 hours

Required Skills:

• Valid G class license 
• Comfortability handling large/strong dogs
• Ability to tolerate various weather conditions (rain, snow, cold, etc)
• Experience with dogs and knowledge of positive-reinforcement training techniques are an asset
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Dog training (1 hour)
• Driver training (1/2 hour)

Purpose:

• To enrich our cats’ lives through socialization and exercise

Hours:

• Weekdays 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Weekends 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• *Time-slot availability varies*

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide attention, care, play-time, grooming, etc. to adoptable cats
• Ensure safety of animals at all times
• Maintain cleanliness of cat socialization rooms
• Keep detailed and organized records for each cat

Time Commitment:

• Weekly commitment of 1+ hours

Required Skills:

• Pay attention to detail
• Able to lift 20lbs
• Be patient and follow instructions
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff
• Experience with cats is an asset

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Cat training (1 hour)

Purpose:

• To enrich our small animals’ lives through socialization and exercise

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide attention and play-time for our adoptable small animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, etc.

Time Commitment:

• Weekly commitment of 1+ hours

Required Skills:

• Pay attention to detail
• Be patient and follow instructions
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff
• Ensure safety of animals at all times
• Able to lift 10 lbs
• Experience with small animals is an asset

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Small animal training (1/2 hour)

*Clean Team will not be responsible for cleaning animal cages*

Purpose:

• To keep our kennel looking and smelling its best, and to keep our animals healthy

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain shelter cleanliness (sweep, mop, vacuum, etc.)
• Wash dishes and litter pans
• Laundry

Time Commitment:

• Weekly or bi-weekly commitment of 1+ hours

Required Skills:

• Follow instructions
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Clean team training (1/2 hour)

Purpose:

• To keep the outside of our building looking its best

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in gardening activities such as planting, weeding, raking, etc.

Time Commitment:

• 2 hours once a month or as required

Required Skills:

• Be able to tolerate various weather conditions (heat, rain, etc.)
• Follow instructions
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Additional training on-site as required

Purpose:

• To keep our building in good condition

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with building repairs
• Provide a specialized service (could include electrical work, drywall, painting, plumbing, lighting, etc.)

Time Commitment:

• 2 hours once a month or as required

Required Skills:

• Knowledgeable of proper protocol and safety measures when completing repairs
• Able to lift heavy objects

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Additional training on-site as required

Purpose:

• To transport shelter animals to/from Veterinary Clinics for medical appointments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Use shelter van and/or bus to drive shelter animals to their medical appointments
• Accompany shelter animals into their appointments, take detailed notes of any information from the Veterinarian to relay to the Animal Health Department 
• Bring any medications dispensed by the Veterinarian from the appointment back to the Animal Health Department 

Time Commitment:

• Weekly or bi-weekly commitment of 1+ hours

Required Skills:

• Valid G class license 
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Driver training (1/2 hour)

Purpose:

• To enrich our dogs' lives through socialization and exercise at off-site locations

Hours:

• Monday 8:30 am – 10:30 am
• Friday 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Key Responsibilities:

• Use shelter van to drive shelter animals to the Indoor Arena
• Provide attention, care, play-time, grooming, walks etc. to adoptable dogs
• Ensure safety of animals at all times
• Maintain cleanliness of areas where you take the dog
• Keep detailed and organized records for each dog

Time Commitment:

• Weekly commitment of 2+ hours

Required Skills:

• Valid G driver's license
• Able to handle strong and large dogs
• Tolerate various weather conditions (heat, rain, cold, etc.)
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff
• Experience with dogs and knowledge of positive-reinforcement training techniques are an asset

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Dog training (1 hour)

Purpose:

• To transport shelter animals to/from out of town Veterinary Clinics for medical appointments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Use shelter van and/or bus to drive shelter animals to their out of town medical appointments including, but not limited to: Stratford and Sarnia
• Bring any medications dispensed by the Veterinarian from the appointment back to the Animal Health Department 

Time Commitment:

• Weekly or bi-weekly commitment of 1+ hours

Required Skills:

• Valid G class license 
• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)
• Driver training (1/2 hour)

Purpose:

• Assistant the office administration team in various roles as well as being a welcoming face of the shelter when guest arrive

Hours:

• Monday & Friday 1 – 3:30pm or 3:30 – 6pm
• Weekends 1 – 4pm

Key Responsibilities:

• Greet guests as they arrive to the shelter and help them as needed
• Answer the phone occasionally and use scripted responses to assist and gather information effectively
• Assist in collecting and sorting donations
• Assist is general shelter housekeeping and support the Animal Care Team if needed

Time Commitment:

• Weekly commitment of 2:30+ hours

Required Skills:

• Friendly attitude towards the public, fellow volunteers, and staff

Training:

• General orientation (1 hour)

Volunteer positions are available only to those individuals who are 18 years of age or older. All volunteers will be required to provide a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC).

Humane Society London & Middlesex requires that all volunteer complete an “application form” and a general orientation session. Depending on your area of interest, you may be required to complete additional training.

Due to the amount of applications we receive, there is a waiting period for attending orientation.

The most important attribute of a volunteer is commitment! We understand that people’s schedules may not always be consistent and that hours of availability may fluctuate, however, we need your commitment to selected programs for our relationship to be mutually beneficial.

Volunteers participate in a number of different programs on our behalf and each follows varying timelines. However, in the case of our animal care volunteers, we do require a regular visit to the shelter; weekly is ideal. We would also hope that you have applied with a long-term commitment to the animals in mind.

What’s in it for you? In addition to the personal satisfaction of knowing that you’re contributing to the well being of animals, you’ll gain valuable experience, contacts, and the pleasure of working with others who also care deeply about animal welfare.