The Cat Care Team works to increase the welfare and health of GTHS feline residents. The Cat Care Team works as a group and/or individually to care for our cats and maintains high cleanliness standards in our Adoption Rooms, as well as our Quarantine and Isolation Rooms. This role is integral to maintaining a bright, clean and healthy environment for our cats, kittens, volunteers, visitors and potential adopters. Playing with and cuddling the cats is required!

In 2023, our Cat and Dog Care Teams cared for more than 1500 animals onsite at our Animal Centre.

Description

The GTHS Cat Care Team reports to the Cat Care Coordinator and Cat Care Team Members are assigned a specific room (an Adoptions Room or a Quarantine / Isolation Room) to provide nutrition, as well as mental and physical stimulation or interaction, to the feline residents in their room. Cat Care Team Members are also responsible for sweeping and mopping the floor, maintaining clean and organized litter, feeding stations, kitten or cat kennels and communal areas. Other duties such as dishes and laundry are also included.

Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required (unless approved for student / community hours). Shift times are: 8-11am

Roles and Responsibilities

• Maintain clean and organized litter, kennels, counter tops and communal areas (shelving, windows, etc.) in the assigned room(s)
• Disinfect toys (loose and in kennels), scratching posts, wooden boxes, climbing apparatus, etc. in the assigned room
• Feed cats / kittens wet food (as appropriate), provide fresh water and maintain feeding stations
• Wash up any dirty animal dishes
• Perform laundry tasks (gathering dirty laundry in sacks if assigned to Room 3, and all Team Members assist with washing, drying and folding linens)
• Dispose of garbage and recyclables
• Wipe all surfaces after use
• Tasks specific to the room assigned include:
  • Wiping surfaces and floors in the Animal Kitchen, as necessary
  • Placing cats ready for ‘moving up’ into carriers
  • Carrying cats in carriers to the appropriate Adoptions Room / kennel
  • Weighing cats (if specified on Kennel Cards), with assistance from the Cat Care Coordinator as required
• Interact with cats for socialization and enrichment purposes
  • Adapt activities based on cats being interacted with
  • Stimulate and interact with cats (includes grooming, play and snuggles)
  • Reduce cat stress and improve their overall wellness
  • Provide cognitive stimulation and encourage curiosity
  • Provide places for cats to hide and perch, as appropriate
  • Stimulate cats’ hunting instinct
  • Make enrichment items (food puzzles, cat cabins…)
• Identify and report any behavioural concerns
• Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
• Use online Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage