Current Opportunities
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The success of Annex Cat Rescue depends on the dedication of our volunteers -- not just the foster homes and trappers who work hands-on, but also those who support ACR's rescue work behind-the-scenes. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in becoming a volunteer, or expanding your work within the organization, please e-mail us, or apply online.
Here are some ways you can help. Our experienced volunteers are always there to support you, and even a few hours of your time every month can make a big difference.
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Fundraising
This is one area where we always need originality, energy, commitment. If you're the type of person who can come up with good ideas, or who has the motivation and organizational ability to put plans into action, please let us hear from you.
Special Events
Each year the Annex Cat Rescue participates in a number of special events, such as street festivals and craft shows, in order to educate people about the plight of homeless cats in the GTA, to find homes for those who are adoptable, to collect donations and to sell our own crafts in order to pay our vet bills. We're always in search of positive, friendly people to staff our tables in shifts of about 2 hours. This is a great way to get to know us as well as to help the kitties.
Catnip Toy Making
The income from the selling of catnip toys, in stores and vet clinics, plays a significant role in sustaining Annex Cat Rescue's activities. While sewing the rectangular shells takes only basic skill, a sewing-machine is required in order for each volunteer to reach a quota of 60 toys a month, which translates into a few hours a week.
Monitoring Donation Boxes
Do you or a friend own a store or work in some other retail outlet? Is there a vet clinic or pet shop in your neighbourhood? If so, would you consider arranging to place one of our attractive catnip-toy baskets, or donation boxes, on the counter? Depending on the amount of traffic, these boxes should be emptied anywhere from once a week to once a month. If the outlet is not in your neighbourhood, we will have one of our other volunteers monitor it.
Postering/distributing brochures
This is a simple yet crucial method of advertising our work and finding adopters. It's a task in which a little time can go a long way.
Foster Parenting
Since the Annex Cat Rescue does not have an animal shelter, we use a network of foster homes to nurture, socialize, provide companionship, love, respect and temporary shelter for our kittens and cats on their journey to finding forever homes. Our foster parents pay for the food and other basic necessities, for which they receive charitable tax receipts; ACR pays all medical expenses. Foster homes must also be comfortable about having potential adopters visit their cats, at a mutually convenient time.
Adoption Screening
Our counsellors retrieve messages from potential adopters from our phone line or our e-mail website; then they conduct phone interviews to screen out unsuitable callers as well as to match up successful candidates with possible adoptees for a home visit. Typically, this involves a weekly 3- to- 4-hour commitment, and counsellors must have access to a phone and the internet.
Photography
Because ACR doesn't have a shelter, the only way adopters can "view" many of our cats at the same time is through our "virtual shelter" on our website. Photographers are needed to provide appealing pictures for foster homes unable to do so. You will need your own digital camera, along with some skill and patience.
Trapping
An important part of ACR's work is our Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return (TNR) program. This requires a network of volunteers to trap feral cats; transport them to and from the vets where they are neutered or spayed; provide them with recovery space, then returning them to their colonies. In this way, we help to curb overpopulation of the city's backalleys with homeless, starving, often injured or sick, stray and feral cats. Interested in helping out but still a little unsure? Our experienced volunteers will provide training in baiting and setting traps; transporting feral cats; gaining the cooperation of neighbours, along with all other elements of trapping.
Transportation
Do you have a car, and a couple of hours you can sometimes spare? We're always looking for people who can transport supplies to special events, collect and distribute donated food, pick up and drop off cats at the vets. For that last task, the weekday hours of 8:00am to 10:00am and early evening are especially important.
Feral Colony Feeding
As well as practicing TNR, Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return (TNR) and providing veterinary treatment for the sick and injured, we feed our feral cat colonies along two established routes. Volunteers go out once a week or once every two weeks, for which they provide the food, in exchange for charitable tax receipts. A car isn't necessary.
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact us right away!
