Animal Welfare Association of Hamilton

What services does your organization provide?
Every animal that comes into our care is treated by a veterinarian for any medical problems, then is vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
Cats are boarded at the vet's or placed in foster homes until a suitable adoption can be arranged. Our adoption fee goes towards medical and boarding expenses but only covers a fraction of our costs. We cannot afford to re-home pets that already have owners.
All our adoptive families are carefully screened and cats are placed in a home on a 2-week trial to ensure that both the animal and the new owner are satisfied with the match. The adoption fee is completely refundable within the 2-week trial period.

Do you have any age requirements?
Volunteers should be at least 18 years old.

Do you require language proficiency other than in English?
No.

What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer?
A foster home is required when a cat first comes into our care and must be isolated for 10 days before it can be boarded at the vet's. An hour or so per day would be required for the actual care of the cat. It's difficult to calculate the amount of time required to help with fundraising activities but roughly an hour per week.

Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer?
For fostering, the volunteer must have a suitable living space where a cat could be accommodated. If there are any other animals in the home, a separate room would be required for the foster cat during the 10 day isolation period. We inspect all our foster homes before they are approved.

Are there any specific skills and experience required?
For fostering, the volunteer should love animals and be familiar with caring for cats.
To help with fundraising the volunteer should be able to meet the public and work with other people.

What type of volunteer positions are typically available?
Fostering cats or helping with fundraising activities such as selling raffle tickets, collecting Canadian Tire money, HBC points, Air Miles, Denninger's cash register receipts, helping set up tables and chairs at penny sales etc.

Do you provide training for volunteers?
For fostering, the type of care required would be explained to the volunteer.

What are the typical volunteer activities occurring at your organization?
Fostering cats, selling raffle tickets, helping out at penny sales by setting up tables and chairs, collecting Canadian Tire money, HBC points, Air Miles, Denninger's cash register receipts etc.

How will a person benefit from volunteering with Animal Welfare Association of Hamilton?
They will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped give homeless animals a better life.

Do you accept high school students?
In some cases, yes, although it would be difficult to calculate the service hours.