Volunteering at PHS

Volunteers are the backbone of the Peterborough Humane Society. As a registered charity with limited resources, volunteers provide support in all areas of the organization.

Foster Program
Volunteers save lives by joining our Foster Program. Underage kittens, nursing cats and dogs with babies, or animals needing a period of quiet care are placed in loving homes for a short period of time. There they receive care and socialization and are protected from contracting illness. Fostering is an opportunity to add pets to your home when it works for you and to be pet-free when you need to be. Most importantly, fostering can be a truly joyful experience for the entire family and there is tremendous satisfaction in knowing that you have played an instrumental role in saving lives and in helping animals to become truly adoptable.

Working with the Animals
Volunteers are needed each day to ensure that all of the dogs receive walks. These exercise periods are vital to their physical health and to their mental and psychological health as well. Living in a shelter is highly stressful for any animal and exercise helps the animals to de-stress. An animal that has been fully exercised and is therefore not exhibiting signs of stress presents better and is more likely to be adopted.

Cats benefit from volunteers through playtime and brushing. Simply being held and petted brightens a cat's day and reduces the stress that shelter living causes. Cats that do not get handled enough can become depressed and unwell. Volunteers help our cats to stay healthy and feeling loved.

Dishes/Laundry/Cleaning
Without our volunteers we would never be able to keep up with the cleaning of dishes and pans and the laundry would soon be out of control. Volunteers help us to keep on top of these vital duties as well as assisting us in keeping the shelter clean and shining. The health of the animals in our care hinges on the cleanliness of the entire building.

Administrative Support
Do you have excellent computer skills? Are you organized? We need your help in many administrative areas. Create spreadsheets, update data, help with mail-outs. There are a variety of tasks available depending on your skills and interests.

Fundraising/Special Events
Volunteers bring enthusiasm and experience to our fundraising initiatives and special events. Become a committee member and help us to plan our next fundraiser. Solicit donations of items for silent auctions, assist with registration or man a booth at an event. There are lots of opportunities to help the Peterborough Humane Society to raise the funds necessary to ensure that the abused, neglected and abandoned animals that need us are able to be helped.

One of our fundraising methods is coin boxes that are placed throughout the community. These donation boxes raise much needed funds for the care of the animals. Volunteers are required to collect the funds and bring them into the office to be rolled and deposited. Volunteers are asked to work in pairs and to monitor collection boxes in their area.

Vet Driver/Supply Pick-ups
Each week, dogs and cats attend at local veterinary offices to be spayed and neutered. We are currently seeking volunteers available to deliver animals in the morning and pick them up again later in the day after they have had surgery.

Picking up supplies (donations of food, blankets, toys etc.) is another job for volunteers who wish to help out.

Application Form
To be a volunteer with the Peterborough Humane Society you must be 15 or over. In order to volunteer, you must fill out an application package including two references and a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check. To receive a volunteer application package, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 705-745-4722 x205, or email us at volunteering@ptbohs.com, or stop by the Humane Society office for the package.Once all paperwork has been received you will be invited to attend an orientation session. Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week for 6 months. Training will be provided in the area in which you volunteer.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with PHS!