Volunteer Application Form


Yes! I would like to become a volunteer for Pets Niagara.


The mission of Pets Niagara is to provide solace and safety to homeless, unwanted and in-need companion animals and to inspire change to the end the homeless and abandoned pet crisis. Thank you for your interest in joining us in these efforts. Please read and complete this application form if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

Volunteering is a great way to become involved with Pets Niagara and the work we do to aid and assist homeless and in-need companion animals. We rely on our volunteers to help with a large number of important tasks, including animal care, animal maintenance, manning fundraising and adoption events, office support, and even sanctuary construction and grounds maintenance. So, we are constantly seeking generous community members who are interested in helping us achieve our mission by using their established skill set to complete assigned work in an independent manner. Each volunteer's experience is unique and dependent on the amount of time they wish to contribute and the skills they offer. So, please put some thought into how you would contribute to Pets Niagara's programs as you complete this Volunteer Application.

Training for our various volunteer positions will be provided by way of an orientation session, printed materials, and by way of "hands-on" experience.


Rules and Regulations for Volunteers

We feel it's important to share some of our rules and regulations before you commit to a volunteer position to help you better understand our standard practices.

  1. All emergencies must be reported to a staff member immediately. Safety training is provided for certain volunteer positions.

  2. At any time that Pets Niagara is closed to the public, the only people allowed on-site are volunteers scheduled to work, staff and certain donors/community members.

  3. Volunteers must give as much advanced notice, but no less than 24 hours, prior to cancelling a shift.

  4. Cameras and camera phones are prohibited during volunteer projects. If you are working on-site cell phones must be set to vibrate rather than a ring tone. Outgoing cell phone calls are prohibited during your volunteer shift except in the case of an emergency. Incoming cell phone calls must be limited to no more than 3 per volunteer shift each lasting for no more than 5 minutes in duration.

  5. NEVER give out confidential information, including private contact information for any staff or volunteer.

  6. Drugs, alcohol or other substances are not allowed on the property. Smoking is not permitted on the property. Nor is a volunteer permitted to attend to their volunteer session in an inebriated or intoxicated state. To do so would result in immediate termination of your volunteer status with Pets Niagara.

Contact Details



Emergency Contact Details


2nd Emergency Contact Details


Volunteer and Work Experience

    Please provide details of any current or past volunteer work that you have done. Include the name of the place and a description of your position and duties.


    • Please provide details of your current or past employment. Include the name of your employer(s) and a description of your position and duties. If you have never been employed, please state "Not yet employed".


    • Please list 3 references, including phone/email that can speak to your personal character, work ethic and/or animal welfare knowledge/experience.These references cannot be related to you.





Volunteer Preference

For which volunteer positions are you applying? Please select up to 3 positions for which you wish to apply.


Administrative Volunteers       Adoption Screeners      

  Animal Care Volunteers         Companion Animal Socializing Volunteers      

  Events Coordinator and Volunteers         Fundraising Coordinator and Volunteers      

  Group Volunteering         Marketing Volunteers      

  Program Placement Coordinator         Public Relations Volunteers      

  Spay/Neuter Coordinator         Volunteer Coordinator      


What days are you available to volunteer? Please select as many as apply.

  •   Monday       Tuesday       Wednesday       Thursday    
      Friday       Saturday       Sunday       Holidays

What times during the days or holidays are you available to volunteer? Please select as many as apply.

  •   Early morning, e.g. 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.    
  •   Morning, e.g. 9 a.m. to noon    
  •   Afternoon, Noon a.m. to 3 p.m.    
  •   Late Afternoon, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.    
  •   Evening, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.    

Choose how frequently you wish to volunteer? Please select only one.

  •   Daily
  •   Weekly
  •   Bi-weekly (once every two weeks)
  •   Monthly
  •   Once every 3 months

When can you begin volunteering?  


Do you require hours for school?

  •   Yes          No

Do you have access to a car you can use for volunteer work?

  •   Yes          No

Do you know any other volunteers or staff at Pets Niagara? If so, who?


Do you have any pets at home? If so, please describe your pets, e.g. type of pet, age, current health status.


Are your pets current on their vaccines?

  •   Yes          No

We are keenly interested in engaging skilled and energetic volunteers who can help propel us forward as a successful non-profit organization. Please answer the questions below in the form of an essay. Responses should be approximately 50-100 words each and are a required part of your application.




Basic Volunteer Requirements and Agreement

By checking the boxes below, you are acknowledging that you have read, understand and agree to the following basic volunteer requirements.

  • I am age 12 or older

  • I can commit to one full year of service

  • I can read and comprehend protocol information

  • I can fulfill the role independently with training, if necessary

  • I can remember and follow Pets Niagara rules, policies and standards

  • I can take and follow direction

  • I have or am covered with current and valid OHIP

  • I understand and agree that submitting this application form does not guarantee placement in the volunteer program and does not form a commitment or promise by Pets Niagara to me for volunteer placement.

  • I understand there are additional requirements I must meet and documents that I must sign before I am accepted into the volunteer program.

  • By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge and that I have not withheld and will not withhold any information that would affect my application for a volunteer position.

  • I also understand that Pets Niagara has the right to perform a background check and I hereby give permission for Pets Niagara to contact anyone it deems necessary to verify any information provided by me to discuss my suitability for any volunteer position(s), including my background, volunteer and work experience, and my education or any other related matter. Furthermore, I voluntarily and knowingly wave all rights to bring any action for defamation, invasion of privacy, or similar cause for action against anyone who provides such information to Pets Niagara.
    I Agree

  • I understand that any misrepresentation or omission made by me may be cause for my immediate rejection for any volunteer position with Pets Niagara or my termination as a volunteer with it at any time now or in the future.
    I Agree

  • I understand that my volunteer work is conducted at my own risk, including the risk of the transmission of viruses or diseases to pets in my household or to the pets of others with which I may come in contact.
    I Agree




Please answer this question to let us know that you are not a machine

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR APPLYING TO VOLUNTEER WITH PETS NIAGARA!


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