Canine Foster Volunteer

(Georgian Triangle Humane Society)

Position ID: V-CWD0402
Last Modified: 12 May 2025
Last Full Update: 12 May 2025

Opportunity Details: Canine Foster Volunteer

Comments

Please be advised that a Foster Application Form will need to be completed by all applicants - this will help us determine which foster candidates are most suitable for your family and home environment.

Contact Joanna Chardola, Team Coordinator, Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS); Phone: 705-445-5204 ext 220; Email: volunteer@gths.ca
Duties

Canine Foster Volunteers provide a safe, loving and temporary home for puppies, senior dogs and adult dogs with specific needs.  You must have the ability to separate the foster animals from any pets in your home by keeping them in a separate room, if necessary.  We will provide training and all the supplies you need.

In 2023, our Animal Care Team looked after more than 1500 animals onsite and, thanks to our Foster Volunteers, 1044 additional cats and dogs were cared for in loving foster homes.

Description

Canine Foster Volunteers are responsible for helping puppies (litter sizes can range from 4-6 puppies), seniors and / or adult dogs in their care thrive until they are ready to be adopted.  This will include feeding the animals at least twice a day, possibly more, potty training (for puppies), and exercising and socializing the animals.  It may also include bottle feeding and administering oral medications.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Maintain clean and tidy environment
  • Provide treats, food, clean water and clean bedding as required
  • Provide puppy pee-pad training, if necessary
  • Bathe and groom dogs, as necessary and if comfortable doing so
  • Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
  • Provide a structured environment and reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
  • Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ health and welfare
  • Administer medication, as required and as instructed
  • Ensure any veterinary appointments are kept
  • Return dogs to GTHS Animal Centre as required (for surgery, treatment, adoption…)
  • Ensure dogs are safe and secure
  • Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures

 

More Info Link https://gths.ca/gths-volunteer-positions/
Benefits
  • Care for animals in need in your own home - all foster supplies are provided by the GTHS
  • Keeping active
  • Meeting like-minded people supporting a good cause
  • AGM Voting rights after 90 days
  • Reduced cost GTHS apparel and Treasure Tails discount voucher
  • First in line to adopt
  • Volunteer events, volunteer recognition, volunteer newsletter and internal Facebook group access
  • Suitable for Highschool Credit Hours Yes
    Areas of Interest Animal Services ; Community / Neighbourhood Volunteering
    Skills/Experience Communication & Interpersonal Skills ; Confidentiality ; Dependability & Trustworthiness ; Friendly & Outgoing ; Listening Skills ; Mentoring & Training ; Patience ; Planning & Organizing ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor ; Self-Motivated / Work Independently ; Team Work ; Be at least 18 (younger members of the household may assist the primary Foster Volunteer and gain volunteer hours – please contact volunteer@gths.ca for details) 
    Everyone in the household must be in agreement 
    A room for fostering 
    Committed to animal welfare 
    Experience fostering puppies and/or dogs is preferred, but not necessary 
    Dog handling experience is required 
    Experience interacting with dogs with behavioural concerns is essential (if accepting foster cases of this nature) 
    Willing to learn to bottle feed (if fostering pregnant/nursing moms or puppies) 
    Willing to provide medication 
    Self motivated 
    Ability to read and follow directions 
    Ability to follow protocol 
    Good communication skills
    Commitment Length Short Term (3 months or less) - Foster cases may range from a few days, a few weeks, to several months - based on your agreement to the foster cases you are offered ; Medium Term (4 months to 1 year) ; Typically varies from 1 to 4 hours a day depending on the situation.  Foster terms generally last between 2 and 10 weeks, and we ask for an overall, combined commitment of 6 months to fostering.
    Interaction Level Virtual Volunteering - Foster animals in your home until they are old enough/ready to be fixed and/or to go up for adoption ; Foster from home. A separate room and / or the ability to separate your pet(s) from the animal(s) being fostered is required.
    Minimum Hours 1 / Day
    Accessibility Not Accessible ; The areas of our facility accessed by Foster Volunteers is unfortunately not Accessible
    Location Collingwood
    Number of Positions Blue Mountains: 2 individual(s) ; Clearview (Simcoe County): 2 individual(s) ; Collingwood: 2 individual(s) ; Grey County: 2 individual(s) ; Simcoe County: 2 individual(s) ; Wasaga Beach: 2 individual(s) 
     
    12 individual(s) needed in total. 
     
    Foster Volunteers must live in the area, to visit the Animal Centre in Collingwood for appointments, surgeries, foster supply collection, etc. and in case of the unexpected
    Training Orientation ; Training is provided - Resources, support and guidance will be provided ; Training is required ; Foster volunteers are expected to have some dog / puppy handling experience. Resources, support and guidance will be provided according to the foster scenario(s) you are assigned.
    Transportation Car required ; Transportation is needed to pick-up / drop-off animals and/or foster supplies, and/or to attend appointments for animals being fostered
    Police Check Not Required
    Additional Requirements Please submit a Foster Application Form to apply. Go to 'How to become a GTHS volunteer' section at www.gths.ca/volunteer
    Start Date On or after 20 Mar 2024

    Agency Details: Georgian Triangle Humane Society

    Office Phone 705-445-5204
    E-Mail info@gths.ca
    Website www.gths.ca
    Address & Map
    549 10th Line
    Collingwood, ON
    Canada L9Y 0W1
     
    View Google Map
    Mailing Address 549 10th Line 
    Collingwood, ON 
    Canada L9Y 0W1