Volunteer

Junior Volunteer Program (ages 13 to 15)

The Nova Scotia SPCA recognizes the benefit of engaging youth in Animal Welfare. The goal of the junior volunteer program is to give youth ages 13-15 hands on experience and education about companion animals and animal welfare. We hope this will inspire the “next generation” to be leaders in their community and become the future advocates for animal welfare.

The new and improved Junior Volunteer Program is an opportunity for youth to learn about and work with companion animals by becoming informed about handling, life cycles, health and other pet concerns to allow animals in their homes and neighborhoods to live healthier and more humane lives.

Qualifications of the Junior Volunteer Program:

• Must be between 13-15 years of age
• Junior volunteer applicant must have a parent/guardian to attend all sessions with the junior volunteer

Absenteeism:

• Youth must attend a minimum of six of the eight sessions, which will be outlined prior to the first session in order to become an ongoing volunteer

Length of Service:

• The program consists of eight sessions 1.5 hours in length.
• The summer start date consists of four sessions a month for 2 months starting in July 2012

Space in the junior volunteer program is limited, a maximum of 5 junior applicants and their guardians will be accepted for each session. Apply early as attendance is available based on a first come basis. If there are more applicants than available spaces, remaining applicants will be placed on a wait list for future sessions.

Please note:

• Cleaning substances and peanut butter are used in the shelter facility. Volunteering at the shelter may not be suitable for persons with allergies or sensitivities to strong scents.
• Those with weakened immune systems should consult their physician prior to applying as all our roles have some direct animal contact, it is possible for a cat or dog scratch/bite to occur and become infected.
• There is always some risk of injury, a waiver is required, volunteers are expected to do their roles in a safe manner, and always treat the animals with the utmost care, respect and consideration.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the NS SPCA Provincial Animal Shelter. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at 468-7877 Option 4.

Adult Volunteer Program (ages 18+)

Greetings Volunteers!

Over the past couple of years, the Provincial Animal Shelter's Volunteer team has reached out to our volunteers to assess our program. We've received lots of feedback on ways we can not only improve our volunteer program, but to provide even greater value to the shelter in our never ending need to provide care, exercise and enrichment to our animals.

We are continuing to offer committed volunteers the opportunity to work directly with the animals and our shelter staff with the day to day care of our animals. We will be recruiting volunteers who can commit to one scheduled shift per week.

Animal care assistants are needed each and every day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. This program will require volunteers to sign up for a 3 hour set shift one day per week. During your shift, you will take part in a variety of tasks including cleaning, customer service and animal socialization. Adoption counselor shifts are at different times during the day, based on hours that the shelter is open to the public and can be either 3 or 4 hours in duration.

You will receive one-on-one training at the beginning to ensure that you are properly trained to the shelters disease control standards. As this program requires a higher level of commitment, volunteers will be required to show up for their scheduled shift and if unable to do so, will have to contact the shelter directly to let them know.

If you have the time, desire and commitment to be part of our team, please fill out one of our volunteer application forms and either email, fax or drop it off in person at the shelter. Please specify on the application what role (Cat or Dog care Attendant/Adoption Counselor) would interest you and what day (Monday-Sunday) and shift (morning, afternoon or evening) you would be able to commit to. You must be over 18 years old to apply.

Unfortunately, due to limited resources and orientations space available, we are no longer able to accommodate casual volunteers at our shelter.

Thank you for your continued support of the Provincial Animal Shelter!

Sandra Flemming
Director of Animal Care
Nova Scotia SPCA