Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of the Cochrane & Area Humane Society. Donating thousands of hours in virtually every department of the organization, volunteers allow us to continue to provide the services we do. Regardless of the task, all of the work of our dedicated volunteers contributes to our goal of finding loving homes for deserving pets.

To find out how you can become a volunteer, keep reading!

 

You CAN make a difference...

You can help the animals by joining our team of valuable volunteers! We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities that allow you to develop new skills while making a much-needed contribution to our organization and your community. We strive to ensure that volunteer participation meets expectations and is a rewarding experience.

In this life we cannot all do great things.
But we can do small things with great love.
-Mother Teresa

Volunteer Qualifications

If you have a genuine love of animals, are reliable, can make a commitment and are 16 years of age of older, you may apply to become part of our Volunteer Team!

The Application Process

Step 1. Attend a volunteer orientation to find out what we’re all about and discover the wide variety of volunteer opportunities we have to offer. See upcoming orientation dates on the poster to the right. Email our Volunteer Coordinator to register or call (403) 932-2072 ext.105. 

Step 2. Complete a volunteer application form. Decide which volunteer positions interest you and think about the time commitment you are able to make. Mail, fax, email or drop off your application to us in person. Click here to download the application form or come by the shelter to pick one up.

Step 3. Schedule an interview with our Volunteer Coordinator to be matched with an appropriate and rewarding volunteer position.

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 932-2072 ext.105 or volunteer@cochranehumane.ca to discuss becoming a volunteer.

 

Our Volunteer Opportunities

Shelter Duties
These are volunteer opportunities which take place at the shelter. Many involve direct contact with the animals and are essential to their well-being.

• Cat & Kitten Care
  This important volunteer role is one the shelter cannot manage without! Volunteers are required mornings everyday to assist with feeding, cleaning cages, cuddling, grooming and all around socializing with the cats. The volunteers provide additional human contact into the lives of the cats that the shelter staff are not always able to provide.

• Bunny Huggers & Critter Cuddlers
  This special volunteer role cares for our bunnies by feeding and cleaning them and gives our bunnies some quality one-on-one socializing time. This role also extends to our other small animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, birds, etc.)

• Dog & Puppy Care
  This volunteer role greatly enhances the quality of life for the dogs at the shelter and provides staff with valuable assistance. Volunteers are required mornings everyday to assist with feeding, cleaning kennels and all around socializing with the dogs through walks, playtime and grooming.

• Dog Walking
  This active volunteer role gives the adoption dogs the energy release they so desperately need. By walking and playing with the dogs you will be providing them with exercise that is so essential to their mental and physical wellbeing. Dog walking volunteers are required every day of the week.

• Dog Training
  This volunteer role works with special needs adoption dogs. The special needs dogs may have mild behaviour issues, may have limited leash experience or may need extra obedience training. The extra time and energy spent with these dogs really improves the dog’s overall behaviour and increases his/her adoptability.

• Bedtime Routine
  We need volunteers to help the staff with shelter closing duties in the evening. There is only one staff having to feed, clean, mop and put everyone to bed each evening and extra help would be so appreciated. Volunteers would help with feeding and bring in the dogs, topping up water for the cats and feeding kittens, mopping hallways, folding some laundry and finishing off any left over dishes. As you can see, a big job for just one person!

• Groomers/Bathers
  We’re looking for volunteers willing to get a little wet and hairy! Clean and brushed animals feel better, look better and their adoptability increases because of it.

• Shelter Host
  With friendly greetings, volunteers guide members of the public through the adoption side animal areas, answer questions regarding the adoption pets and assist the Adoption staff with the adoption surveys.

• Hospital Assistant
  This volunteer role assists the Animal Health Technician and the Veterinarian with animal health related duties such as holding animals for exams, vaccinations and anesthesia induction, cleaning/sterilizing surgical instruments and preparing kennels for animal recovery.

• Office Work
  Volunteers assist administrative staff by performing data entry, stuffing envelopes, rolling coin, gathering event material and assisting with special projects. 

• Photography
  This volunteer role increases the adoptability of an animal with the click of a finger! Having photographs of the animals on our website makes such a difference. Volunteers will have a creative eye and be able to bring their own digital camera equipment.

• General Cleaning
  Paw prints are everywhere, everyday throughout the shelter and any extra help keeping our shelter clean and presentable is most appreciated. You can’t imagine how much a half an hour of mopping helps out!

• Maintenance
  Volunteers with skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work or painting are needed for special projects as needed.

• Landscaping
  Enjoy gardening? Please bring your green thumb and help us keep our green space thriving and looking its best.

• Recycling
  We recycle all we can and our bins fill quickly. With the recycling depot located conveniently next door, we are looking for volunteers willing to help take our recycling over on a regular basis.

• Summer Camp Assistants
  Volunteers are needed to help with our exciting new day camp program.

Outside of Shelter Duties
These volunteer opportunities generally take place away from the shelter. Volunteers in these roles play such an important part in raising funds for the shelter and promoting the mission of the Society.

As there are some people who find it emotionally difficult to be involved with the animals at the shelter, volunteering in this capacity helps the mission of the Society but does not have direct one-on-one contact with the animals.

• Events & Fundraising
  Volunteers involved in planning, organizing and holding our special events play an incredibly important role to the Society. It is the multiple fundraisers held each year that contribute to the doors of the shelter remaining open to all the animals in need. Volunteer participation is needed in many areas including the event committee, specific subcommittees and at the events themselves. A really fun and creative volunteer opportunity!
• Marketing
  Volunteers with an interest or experience in marketing assist in promoting the Society and its services to potential sponsors, donors and the community to raise awareness and support.
• Donation & Auction Item Collection
  Many generous businesses donate auction items for our fundraisers. Volunteers are needed to collect these items and deliver them to the shelter.
• Information Booths
  Volunteers that enjoy interacting with the public and promoting the shelter help by manning information booths at trade shows, pet expos and other local events.
• Coin Box Monitor
  As an ongoing fundraiser, coin boxes are distributed in various locations in Cochrane, Calgary and surrounding areas. Volunteers are needed to collect and replace the boxes as necessary.
• Brochure & Poster Distribution
  Many local businesses and organizations support the CAHS by displaying our brochures and posters. Volunteers are needed to distribute and top up materials as needed.

Programs

• Education Programs
  -The CAHS Kid’s Club and Humane Helpers program offer educational activities to children and youth. Please click here for more information.
  - School classroom visits and school classroom shelter tours are conducted by volunteers with an interest in inspiring children to learn about and find compassion for their animal friends.
• Foster Program
  This program places animals who need a little extra care into foster homes before they are put up for adoption. Experience in animal health, veterinary care and / or animal behavior is an asset, but not a requirement for participation in the program. The demands on the volunteers’ time tends to be much greater as foster animals need to be cared for in the volunteers' home and many of the animals require medication, socialization and /or obedience training. There are screening procedures in place to ensure homes will be suitable and the program successful. It’s a program the whole family can be involved it!
• Morley First Nations Program
  Volunteers participate in an out-reach program that provides education and support to pet owners and residents of the Morley First Nation.

Board of Directors
Apply to join our Board of Directors where you will help shape the direction and growth of the Cochrane & Area Humane Society in the coming years. The board sets policies, determines budgets, and implements fundraising strategies. Board members must also be members of the Society. Please submit your resume to our Executive Director at tracy.keith@cochranehumane.ca.

“The highest reward for a person's work is not what they get for it,
but what they become because of it”
- John Ruskin

 

Our Immediate Volunteer Needs...

These are volunteer opportunities that we are looking to fill as soon as possible. Please click to find out more.

• Morning Cat & Kitten Care
• Morning Dog & Puppy Care
• Bedtime Routine
• Event Committee
• Event Subcommittees
• Appeals Volunteer
• Strategic Partnerships Committee Volunteer

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 932-2072 ext.105 or volunteer@cochranehumane.ca for more information.

 

Teens and Families

Hey Teens – we have a NEW volunteer opportunity for ages 13-15 years where you and a parent volunteer together for a variety of important shelter duties to help the animals. Click here to find out more!

Volunteer Camp Assistants are needed for our new Summer Day Camp. If you enjoy working with kids 8 - 11 years old and care about animals, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. Click here to learn more and for an application form!

Hey Families – are you looking for a volunteer opportunity the whole family can be involved in? Becoming a foster home is a rewarding way for all family members to participate in making a difference in the life of an animal desperately needing a second chance. Click here to find out more!

There are also other ways to support the Mission of the Society that families can play a big role in. By attending our events, such as the Mutt Strut, you help raise funds and promote the shelter at the same time. Click here to see which other events you may wish to participate in as a family!

 

Volunteering is its own reward but there are some other benefits of volunteering with us as well...

• Be part of an organization with the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the welfare of animals.
• Opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of homeless animals.
• Help increase the adoptability of the animals so they may find their forever homes faster.
• Learn about animal welfare issues.
• Use your skills and talents to support a worthy cause.
• Gain new skills for personal or professional development.                               
• Privilege of our quarterly CAHS newsletter.
• Access to our Resource Library.
• Make new acquaintances who share similar interests.
• Free licks and purrs

 

Volunteer Hours

The shelter is open to volunteers during the following times:

Sunday 7am – noon
Sunday 4pm - 7pm
Monday 7am – noon
Monday 4pm – 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 8pm
Wednesday 7am – 7pm
Thursday 7am – 7pm
Friday 7am - 8pm
Saturday 7am – 7pm