Volunteers

What does volunteering mean at our SPCA?  It means dedication, commitment, ability to work as a team member and a sincere empathy for the animals in our facility.

We ask that you are serious in being able to commit to a regular scheduled time and be dedicated to fulfilling your commitment.

Volunteers are assigned a specific day(s)/time(s) to volunteer.  Failing to show up for a shift, not being able to work the entire shift, arriving late, etc are not acceptable.  Volunteering is a commitment just like employment is.  We are not in a position to have people dropping in at their convenience to volunteer – our animals and other volunteers rely on you.

Volunteers are asked NOT to address social media or public forums on behalf of the CNP SPCA.  Volunteers are expected to refer all queries and concerns (personal or from the public) to either a member of the Executive or the SPCA Coordinator.  Only a member of the Executive and the SPCA Coordinator are authorized representatives of the CNP SPCA.

Policies and procedures are in place and volunteers are expected to abide by them.  Should a volunteer not wish to follow policies and procedures they will be released from their obligations.

It is expected that all volunteers conduct themselves in a confidential manner in and out of the facility.

We are fortunate to have a minimum of 2 committed volunteers per day, seven days per week.  Even though we rarely need to “top up” our volunteer core, we will accept volunteer applications and if approved to volunteer, you will be placed on a waiting list for a possible position to become available.  We will keep your application on our waiting list for a period of 6 months.

Dog walking requirements

We do not endorse people randomly dropping by to walk the dogs in our care.

There is a training period where volunteers assisting with our dogs are shown procedures in their daily care; parameters of interaction between the volunteers and visitors, and particular procedures to use while walking and exercising.  Consistency is key to assisting our dogs in becoming more adoptable.  This training period is determined by the progress of each individual volunteer and is monitored by the SPCA Coordinator.

Cat care requirements

Under the Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters Guidelines there are specific procedures we adhere to.  Volunteers who work with the cats will be trained in these procedures and work under the supervision of the SPCA Coordinator.

Seasonal and Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities

The CNP SPCA can offer seasonal and short-term volunteer opportunities such as pulling weeds in the summer and shovelling in the winter – predominantly in the dog run area.

If you are interested in a possible future volunteer opportunity with us, please complete our Volunteer application and return it to the CNP SPCA either by mail, email or dropping by the shelter.