Volunteer
BUTTONNOSES Save a Life Program (BUTTONNOSES Rescue) is run completely by passionate and devoted volunteers who are looking to make a difference in the lives of our four-legged furry friends. We are always in need of volunteers in various capacities to help us save as many lives as possible.
Please note that WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING ANY NEW VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS until further notice.
We need help with:
• Fostering
• Transporting
• Events
• Home Visits
• Reference Checks
• Grooming
• Training
• Photography
• Crafting
• Anything Else You Can Add Your Talents To!
Please note:
In order to join our fun and dynamic volunteer team you need to:
• Be computer knowledgeable to a certain degree. We are proud to be a virtually paperless organization, so proficiency with cloud based file sharing, online forms,etc. is necessary.
• Have a Facebook account you can use to join our private group. That is where we communicate and manage volunteering tasks!
Here are the required qualifications for some of these volunteer positions:
Fostering:
Fostering is the epicentre and the heartbeat of every animal rescue. Our foster paw-rents save lives, and without them, we couldn’t do what we do. Because of the special and unique needs of the majority of our foster pups (e.g. size, age, fragility, special needs, medical issues, etc.) we are seeking foster homes that are able to meet the following criteria:
Located in GTA.
The ability to take the foster dog to their treatment appointments (veterinary, chiropractic, physiotherapy, etc.).
Previous experience with tiny dogs and their unique care requirements
Verifiable experience taking care of special needs, geriatric, ill dogs.
Pet First Aid and CPR Certification would be a bonus.
Understand that we have a holistic approach to our dogs care and follow certain guidelines such as a minimal vaccination protocol (read this, and this, and this. There’s also a wealth of information about vaccines here by Dr. Jean Dodds who is one of the best known immunologists in the world working tirelessly to change the current harmful vaccination practices), no chemical flea and tick prevention, alternative treatments for certain conditions, healthy nutritious food and supplements (no kibble or nutritionally void food). Foster parents are expected to follow these guidelines and protocols and be supportive of this type of care and mindset (we provide the food and cover the cost of vetting and treatments. Foster parents need to be able to provide transportation - and accompany - their foster pup to and from appointments).
Be familiar with and agree with an R+ (positive reinforcement) approach in dog training.
Be committed to the dog they take in until he/she is adopted. This is not a situation where you are able to change your mind and expect to have the dog removed from your care immediately. Be prepared to deal with any situation and allow (at minimum) a week for us to make other arrangements.
No children under the age of 12. We love kids too, but the fragility of even the healthiest foster pup is too significant to risk injury (or worse).
No resident dogs over 20 lbs.
On-boarding Process for Foster Homes:
Foster application submission
Reference checks and home check.
If approved, you will be added to our list of attendees for our Mandatory Hands-On Training. We conduct this training once every few months.
Next training date: TBD.
Events:
BUTTONNOSES Save a Life Program is a rescue relying completely on the generosity of donors and fundraisers to generate funds for expenses such as veterinary care, foods, supplies and other necessities for the fur babies. We are looking for individuals who are go-getters in this field. We need your help brain-storming and organizing events such as fundraisers, garage sales, adopt-a-thons, silent auctions... anything creative you can think of. The sky is the limit!
We are also in need of day-of event volunteers to help with set up, take down, and various tasks during the events.
Transporting:
This position requires someone with a valid driver's license, a travel crate and / or doggy car seat to safely carry our precious cargo, and a vehicle (a GPS wouldn’t hurt)!
Transporters help pick up dogs from shelters, surrendering owners, and anywhere foster dogs need to go and their foster parents are not able to (events, appointments, etc)
Training:
Most often, these itty-bitties need a little attention, love, guidance and some confidence-boosting. Sometimes we receive pups in our rescue who have never received basic training, or have certain undesirable behavioral traits. Through no-fault of their own, this sadly affects their ability to be adopted. With time and patience, this ‘ruff’ persona can be won over with some positive training. Your purpose will be to assist foster homes and volunteers with how to re-train and rehabilitate these dogs.
Please note that we are only interested in working with R+ (Positive Reinforcement) trainers who implement gentle and force-free methods.
Are you able to help us in other ways? Contact us and tell us how.