Welcome to our volunteer program!
Joining our volunteer team directly impacts the lives of the animals in our care and in our communities.
When you volunteer with us, you are giving the animals one of the greatest gifts of all — your time.
Whether you are spending one-on-one time with the animals, helping at events, or assisting in some other way, you are making an impact on the lives of animals. Everyone here at the Ontario SPCA is incredibly grateful for our volunteers’ contributions!
Please note: our minimum age to volunteer is 15 years old.
Becoming a volunteer
How you become a volunteer with us can vary a little bit depending on the role, but it basically consists of 6 simple steps:
1. Review available/open roles using the left sidebar menus.
2. Submit your application online. Qualified applicants will be invited to a telephone meeting.
3. If selected for the role, complete all required paperwork and online training.
4. Attend an in-person orientation and training session.
5. Start volunteering!
6. Manage your volunteer schedule and log your hours using our online platform.
Volunteer roles and how to apply:
There are many ways to make a positive impact at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society!
Select your closest animal centre or department on the sidebar menu to view all available opportunities in your area and to apply.
Interested in fostering?
Foster volunteers with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Provincial Foster Care Program will temporarily provide a safe and nurturing environment by taking care of animals in their homes. Living in an animal centre can be stressful for some animals! This program offers animals the chance to thrive in a home environment.
Check out our FOSTER PAGE for more information and to apply!
Interested in Community Outreach Services?
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society offer various services to help our communities and our centres care for their furry friends. Click on each of the below headings to learn more about each role.
Humane Education
Through AnimalSmart™ presentations to students, out Humane Education team foster empathy and promote a sense of responsibility for animals to youth, grades 1-8. These presentations aim to foster meaningful conversations about animals through discussions, videos and activities with curriculum connections.
As a Humane Education Volunteer Team Member, you would deliver presentations (60-75 minutes in length) primarily to local schools. The content for presentations will cover the Ontario SPCA mission and reflect humane education`s goal to inspire compassion, empathy, and respect for all animals, inspiring a connection with animals.
Click here to learn more about the volunteer role and apply or click here to watch a video.
Community Outreach/Fundraising & Events
As a Community Outreach/Fundraising & Events Volunteer, your role will greatly assist with revenue generation and public awareness in support of the animals in our care, through helping run events and activities throughout the year.
Some of the things you might do:
- Help host/run small fundraisers
- Host a booth at a community event, and provide the community with information about the organization
- Help host Bingo nights each month
Although this role does not directly work with the animals, it is one of the most incredibly gratifying roles we have, as it impacts our life-saving work in our local community, so if you are passionate about your community and love people, this role is for you!
Click here to view available opportunities and to apply.
Transportation
Transportation is a critical step that has a huge impact on the lives of animals in our animal centres every single day. All volunteer drivers must be comfortable driving our fleet vehicle, providing a clear, 3 years drivers record check and a copy of their license to be added to our insurance. We have a variety of driving opportunities for volunteers:
Short Drives: your role will provide hands-on support to your local, busy animal centres through activities such as driving animals to medical appointments within your community.
Long Drives: your role will be to help transfer animals between animal centres. This could be for adoption, for spay/neuter appointments, or more! These trips could be 3-4 hours, round trip.
Please check your local animal centre in the Volunteer Opportunities menu to apply.
The impact our volunteers make!
To date, our volunteers have helped us achieve the following milestones:
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National Volunteer Week 2024
Every year we celebrate our volunteers, but especially during National Volunteer Week! Check out how you made a difference in 2024…
Volunteer FAQs
What is your minimum age to volunteer?
For the health and safety of our community members and animals we ask that all of our volunteers are a minimum of 15 years old. Individuals must be able to personally manage all correspondence as it relates to volunteering and be comfortable independently completing all steps of the volunteer onboarding process.
What requirements do I need to volunteer?
- Be a minimum of 15 years old
- Submit all required waivers and sign off on policies
- Complete any required training appropriate for the role
- Volunteer Drivers: Submit driver license information and a clear, 3 years drivers record check
- Follow safety protocols and procedures
- Manage your volunteer schedule and log your volunteer hours using our online platform.
- Handle all volunteer correspondence (phone and email) personally.
What is the time commitment to volunteer?
We are looking for consistency within our teams and volunteers who can support the animals in our care. The majority of our volunteer assignments ask for a once-a-week commitment typically between 2-4 hours long, but a minimum of once every other week. Should you require an opportunity with less coverage, talk to our team during your one-on-one interview to determine the best fit!
What do volunteers need to wear?
What if I can’t join your team, but I still want to help?
Check out our make an impact globally tab for ideas and tips on how you can improve animals’ lives and their families in your community and across the globe.
Do you have a program for students under 15?
Currently, we currently do not have volunteer opportunities for students under 15 at the centres but click here to check out other ways you can help!
Do you have family volunteering opportunities?
Currently, we currently do not offer family volunteer opportunities at the centres, but there may be some opportunities for family volunteering within the Community Outreach/Fundraising and Events departments – check your area on the sidebar menu for available opportunities!
How can my group get involved?
Click here to see how your company can get involved!
I don’t have a computer; can I just complete a paper form?
In order the manage the volunteer program and communication, we require that all volunteers must have access to a computer with internet. You will need it to apply, complete the onboarding process, and send and receive ongoing communication. You will also need computer access to manage your volunteer schedule and log your volunteer hours using our online platform.