The Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering with animals has been scientifically proven to have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of humans. It helps lower stress levels as well as blood pressure. In addition, volunteering at animal shelters encourages people to be active, especially around the dogs. Finally, the more volunteers that contribute their time, the bigger impact there is on the lives of the homeless animals that enter our shelter every day.
Application Process
- Complete an application form
- Obtain a criminal record check (please contact us to obtain your criminal record check at a discounted price)
- Attend an orientation session
* Please note volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Download our Volunteer Application Form: Volunteer_Application
Volunteer Program Opportunities
Maintenance Committee—Volunteers assist with yard work, general maintenance around the shelter, automotive repairs, renovations, etc.
Fundraising Committee—TDHS relies on local fund raising, donations and volunteers to support its activities. We receive no funding from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), as we only have the status of an affiliate branch. Therefore, volunteers that are interested in discussing fundraising ideas, assist in the planning, coordinating and execution of events are greatly appreciated. Volunteers could also assist in communicating with sponsors and donors.
Sewing Committee—Volunteers are asked to cut down and resew large bulky comforters that do not fit in our washing machine into smaller bedding pieces for the comfort of our animals.
Canine Enrichment—This program allows volunteers to help maintain the health and welfare of TDHS dogs by providing physical activity, training, and companionship. While volunteers are walking our dogs, they can also provide mental stimulation through positive reinforcement by leash training or reinforcing basic commands. Volunteers can also let certain dogs run loose in our fenced-in yard to allow them to burn their energy. Other tasks may include brushing and bathing dogs, playing fetch and socializing puppies through humane interaction.
Feline Enrichment—This program includes several activities to help stimulate the cats. Volunteers will be asked to play with very active cats and kittens. Volunteers will also be asked to pet and brush some of the cats that are more nervous and shy in order to improve there socialization through humane interaction. Feline enrichment provided by our volunteers is necessary to improve the quality of life of the feline residents and make there stay here at TDHS more enjoyable. A well-socialized cat is more likely to be loving, trusting, affectionate and well-behaved and therefore can be successfully adopted.
Hands-On Cleaning—Depending on the time of day, volunteers will assist our employees with animal care that is provided daily. Some of the responsibilities include cleaning adoption rooms (scooping litter boxes, cleaning dog kennels, sweeping, moping), providing fresh food and water, helping with laundry, replenishing areas with bedding and supplies, etc.
Fundraising Events—TDHS is always planning different types of events which could not be possible without the help of our volunteers. There are several roles that volunteers can have during these events. Events vary from fundraisers, booths, adoption events, community events, etc.
Promoting Pet Adoptions—Volunteers assist staff by showing adoptable animals to the public during events. They also help promoting adoptable pets from the TDHS through social media.
Fostering Animals—On occasion TDHS searches for extraordinary families who are capable of opening their homes and hearts to certain animals in our care that are in need of special care such as post-op patients, bottle feeding kittens, nursing mothers with their kittens, cats or dogs with minor wounds or treatable illnesses, etc.
Dog & Cat Transfer Program—When TDHS is faced with a lack of space for new arrivals in our facility, we reach out to other shelters in Ontario through our Second Chance Dog Transfer Program. With this program we occasionally need new volunteers to transport our animals from our shelter to another.