Volunteer

Volunteer

Tails To Tell is a collective of amazing people striving to build a better life for rescued or abandoned cats.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Tails to Tell Volunteer! We are very pleased to have an active and dedicated group of volunteers who are making a difference at the shelter every day – and we hope that you will become a part of our team!

Our Shelter is run entirely by volunteers! There are so many ways you can assist us with the cats and kittens. If you don’t see an area listed that interests you but have an idea – we are all ears.

To volunteer, please complete our application.

The application can be printed, completed and scanned/emailed to volunteer@tailstotell.ca or dropped off at the shelter.

Why Volunteer at Tails to Tell?

Giving your time and talent to a worthy cause is a satisfying experience. The cats and kittens are so grateful for the safe, clean and loving home we provide them as they wait for their furever home – you can be a part of changing cats’ and kittens’ lives. Volunteering involves teamwork and leadership – you will become part of a team of people dedicated to cats and kittens and each others’ wellbeing. Volunteering is an excellent way to support our mission and give back to the community. Interested in a career working with animals? Volunteering is an excellent way to gain practical experience.

Types of Volunteers

  • Animal Care volunteers:  long-term volunteers who adhere to an ongoing schedule and come regularly to do various tasks. Level of commitment: medium.

  • Interns: post-secondary students who volunteer for a set period of time to gain practical experience within their field of study. Level of commitment: medium.

  • Special Event Volunteers: volunteers who work various seasonal exhibits and during special events. Level of commitment: low. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator to inquire about Volunteering for Special Events.

  • Group Volunteers: groups of people who come as a whole, representing any type of organization, to volunteer collectively either during special events or periodically on small projects (i.e., building a shed, painting the Shelter). Level of commitment: low.

  • Handy People: If you are a handy kind of guy or gal, there are always repairs and projects that need doing at the shelter. Scratch posts recovered, walls to be painted, rooms build, shelves hung, etc.. From time to time we need the assistance of a plumber or electrician; having a volunteer on our team with these talents and skills can help the shelter save hundreds of dollars that can instead be spent on the cats and kittens.

  • Animal Medical: People who bring a background in animal medical care can help us to keep our Shelter and Foster cats and kittens in top health.

The Best Experience Ever

Administration

Basic administration – Do you have experience with documenting medical records, database management, excel and word, scheduling appointments?

Let us know what office skills you have to offer when you Apply to Volunteer!

Community Engagement

We are always busy planning events or marketing.

We hold several events a year and If you would like to help at these events, or help plan the events, please Apply to Volunteer!

Marketing – Have experience in Marketing or interested in helping our team? This would include designing different media to promote our cats and shelter.

Animal Care Workers

Are you a cat lover with some time to spare? Do you like hanging out with cats, kittens and other cat lovers? Consider volunteering at the shelter! There are many tasks to be completed throughout the day. We can always use your help.

Our Volunteer Application invites you to indicate what you can help us with and what days of the week work best for you.

Other areas to help: We have recycling that needs to be taken to a depot, animals to drive to and from vet appointments, and supplies to be picked up. If a Volunteer role with lots of variety sounds like a good fit, please Apply to Volunteer!

Who Can volunteer?

We encourage people of all types to volunteer at our shelter! Due to the nature of some of the work required, we have some limitations and requirements depending on the position.

We consider adults to be 18 years of age or older. Adult volunteers, other than special needs adults, can volunteer at the shelter without supervision and can volunteer for any position available at the shelter.

Updated January 2023: Youth must be 14 years of age in order to volunteer with our shelter, and accompanied at all times by a responsible adult (parent, friend, current volunteer). A permission slip must be signed by a parent or guardian in order for youth to volunteer. Youth Volunteers can apply for most of the positions available.

Special needs volunteers are any persons of any age who’s physical or mental disabilities require them to be assisted by an adult. Special Needs Volunteers must be accompanied by an adult or guardian while volunteering.

We can discuss this on a case by case basis, so please email us at volunteer@tailstotell.ca.