Volunteer with our Animal Rescue Team in Canada

Volunteers work with our Animal Rescue Team to help animals who have been the victims of cruelty and neglect. They assist in the ongoing care of dogs and cats who have been rescued from harm—whether it’s from an out-of-control hoarder or a puppy mill.

When our Animal Rescue Team responds to a law enforcement action, volunteers are called in to help out at our care and rehabilitation centre. Animal Rescue Team volunteers come from all walks of life, generously giving their time to apply their skills and experience in response to animals in need. From animal handling and to enclosure cleaning, the work of animal rescue volunteers is the true core of our mission to save animals' lives.

Location

The care and rehabilitation centre is located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, about an hour from Montreal.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteers provide care to animals in our care and rehabilitation centre. Responsibilities including cleaning enclosures and common areas, feeding, watering, restocking supplies, washing dishes, walking dogs or socializing animals as directed.

Benefits of volunteering

Animal rescue volunteers often report that assisting with a rescue operation changed their lives. They never forget the animals they helped get on the road to recovery or the people who are a part of this important mission. Volunteers gain skills, undertake new challenges and become part of a community.

Becoming a volunteer

Animal rescue volunteers are required to be at least 18 years old and come to the care and rehabilitation centre for a full-day training session.

They must also meet the requirements outlined in the Essential Capabilities document.

Process

Fill out an application

Upon receipt of your completed application, staff will contact you to outline next steps and to have you fill out additional paperwork, including a waiver and release of liability and a volunteer agreement.

Candidates are asked to come to the care and rehabilitation centre for a day of training and as part of a screening process. If the deployment goes well and both parties agree that it's a good fit, the candidate will be admitted fully into the program as a regular animal rescue volunteer. Trained, vetted and approved volunteers let us know their preferences about availability. When animal rescue response is needed, our office puts out the call to all qualified individuals, with details of the need, timing and any special skills needed. Volunteers reply to indicate their willingness and are then approved for deployment and asked to sign up for shifts.