WAG volunteers bath dogs

VOLUNTEERING

Share some love

Being a volunteer is extremely rewarding, educational, exciting and fun.  You can have a huge impact on the lives of these homeless animals

It is amazing to see how the animals respond immediately to the love they receive while they are at the shelter.

Here are some of the many ways you can be part of the solution:

Drop-in Dog Walking

This program is ideal for visitors to Whistler, or locals who have an hour or two to spare. That’s all we ask of you, no commitment required. Just drop by any day during our visiting hours and take a WAG dog for a walk. You’ll provide a shelter dog with some much needed exercise and you’ll feel better for getting some yourself! Dog are sent out on a first come, first serve basis and there are a limited number of dogs available for this program. Please bring photo ID. Please note that for safety reasons children under 10 may not accompany dog walkers (exceptions to this policy are made when we have dogs who are suitable for young children).

WAG Hours:

Mondays and Tuesdays 3-5 pm

Wednesday through Sunday 1-5 pm

Volunteer Positions

Volunteers are key to providing the animals in the shelter with the high quality of life for which WAG is known. You can make a difference in their lives every time you come in for a shift at the shelter. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the animals are happy, healthy, trained and well-socialized. This improves their chances for adoption and reduces the amount of time they spend in the shelter prior to adoption.

Working with the Animals

Cattery Attendant

Cattery volunteers feed the resident cats, change litter boxes, clean the cattery, groom the cats, and provide play time and socialization. By spending time with the cats, volunteers get to know their personalities and can provide staff with important information that will assist with the adoption process.

Most cattery attendants complete shifts in the mornings between 9 am and 11am, when feeding and cleaning takes place. Cattery volunteers may also wish to complete afternoon shifts in which less cleaning is required but you may serve to answer visitors’ questions about the cats and the adoption process. Afternoon shifts may be anytime between 1 pm and 6 pm.

Dog Walking

Volunteer dog walkers provide exercise and a little bit of training for the WAG dogs. Often there are times when WAG has dogs that are not participating in the drop-in dog walking program. Dog’s are that not fully vaccinated or who have behavioural issues might not be participating in the drop-in walking program. It is for these dogs especially that volunteer dog walkers are needed to ensure they get the exercise and training they require. Regular volunteer dog walkers are invited to sign up for walking between the hours of 9 am and 12 pm or between the hours of 1 pm and 5 pm.

Kennel Attendant

Kennel Attendants feed resident dogs, clean kennels and dog runs, groom dogs, and provide play time and socialization. By spending time with the dogs, volunteers get to know their personalities and can provide staff with important information that will assist with the adoption process.

Most kennel attendents complete shifts between 9 am and 11 am. Kennel attendents may choose to complete shifts in the afternoon between 1 and 6 pm. Some kennel attendents enjoy splitting a shift between in-shelter duties and dog-walking. Often kennel attendants select shifts that start with dog walking between 4 and 5 pm and then proceed to assist staff with feeding, cleaning and closing duties.

When WAG has a litter of puppies, kennel attendents are encouraged to complete shifts as puppy room attendents. Puppy room attendents help keep the puppy room clean, socialize the puppies, and answer visitors’ questions about the puppies. Puppy room attendant shifts occur during public visiting hours.

Quiet Visiting

Shelter life is stressful for animals. Dogs can become very excitable and cats have anxiety. Volunteers can help by spending quiet time with the animals in the home-like setting of the adoption room. Quiet visiting hours are very flexible.

Working for the Animals

Shelter Host

Shelter hosts greet visitors to the shelter, show them where they can view and visit the animals, answer visitors questions, and assist the staff with reception duties. Shelter Hosting is a fun way to meet lots of people and to become very familiar with WAG.

Fundraising Events

WAG holds a variety of fundraising events and activities throughout the year. Volunteers are the ones who make these events possible. Some examples of events and activities include the Dog Wash (summer), K9 Wine and Dine (summer), Photos with Santa (Dec), and various coat checks.

Other ways to help

¡ Help transport animals to veterinary appointments (based on your availability)

¡ Volunteer at the Spay and Neuter clinics

¡ Join a WAG committee. For e.g. the fundraising committee helps plan and organize fundraising events

To Become a Regular Volunteer:

   Ask WAG staff for a volunteer application

  Attend an introductory orientation session

  Read the Volunteer Manual

Click Here to view the Manual (pdf)

  Staff will train you for your position

   Sign up for your shifts

For more information on volunteering, please contact the shelter at 604-935-8364 or drop in to see us.

The Wendy Wahl Award

Wendy Wahl, Chair of the WAG Board of Directors 2006-2007, was passionate about animal welfare and believed that WAG is a very special place. The recipient of this annual award is a WAG volunteer who inspired those around them to believe that they can make a difference in the lives of animals in need.