Receptionists

Each day, the adoption counsellors are assisted by volunteer receptionists. This job is much more than a regular receptionist. Our volunteers are the first face of Burlington Humane and greet people as they come into the shelter, assist them in filling in applications, take potential adopters through to meet the animals and everything else required in the front office on a day to day basis. Reception is a great way to get to know the animals if you can not participate in our feed & clean program.

Reception shifts are 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 12 noon - 3:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Feed & Clean

The best way to spend time with the animals is in our Feed & Clean program (which is open to students completing theit school hours). Twice a day, volunteers come in to clean the animals living spaces, provide them with fresh food and water and some interaction.

Feed & Clean shifts start at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. the length of shift is not fixed and will depend on the number of volunteers that day as well as the number of animals and how long you spend with each one.

Dog Walking

Dog walking has less structured shifts and is great for someone who has less time to give. Each day, volunteers come in to walk the dogs or play with them in our play park and help with training them.

Please note that we often have larger dogs, German Shepherds / Labs etc and if you do not feel comfortable handling all dogs please let us know when scheduling. The dogs are assessed for aggression before volunteers handle them.

Store Staff

Burlington Humane has two stores that sell used items to help generate funds for the care of the animals. We are always in need of staff for these stores and is a great way to help if you can not help with the animals.

Shifts vary according to store. People are needed for sorting, pricing as well as a salesperson to assist shoppers and complete purchases.

"The Attic" is located on John St in Downtown Burlington and "The Loft" is at the Adoption Centre on Griffith Court.

Fostering

Each year, many pregnant cats come into Burlington Humane's care. Shelters can be a stressful environment for a mothering cat so volunteers foster them in their homes. Burlington Humane supplies everything you will need except a small room away from any animals you may have and lots of love. Fostering is a commitment, often the mothers will be with you for 3 months, while they give birth, nurse and wean their kittens and then wait to be spayed while the kittens come into the Adoption Centre when they are 8 weeks old.

With our kennels at the adoption centre, 2009 has already seen two pregnant dogs and quite a few young puppies without their mothers and we are in need of people to foster dogs and puppies.

Sadly, we also see young motherless kittens come through our doors and we are in need of people who can spend a lot of time with these kittens handfeeding them. Hand-feeding is extremely rewarding as you watch the kittens grow up and is usually a 6 to 8-week commitment.