Paws for a Cause – Get Involved!​

If you have a few hours to spare, we invite you to experience firsthand how rewarding—and fun—it is to volunteer at our animal shelter. You’ll get to interact with our cats and kittens, watch their personalities shine, and enjoy the joy they bring while making a real difference in their lives.

With the help of our volunteers and community, our no-kill shelter ensures every feline has food, shelter, and medical care. Volunteers are essential to making this possible and play a key role in giving our cats and kittens the happy, healthy lives they deserve.

There are many ways to help:

• Shelter Operations
  • Helping us keep a clean, healthy environment for the cats
  • Dishes/Laundry
  • Pans/Laundry 
  • Cat Socializing 
  • ​Cat Grooming (experienced volunteers only) 
  • Assisting with property maintenance
• Fostering 
• Fundraising
• Christmas / Holiday Committee

Even just a 2-3 hours a week can make a huge difference! Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn new skills, meet great people, and spend time with adorable cats who can’t wait to meet you!

Download and complete the volunteer application form to join our team.​

​The volunteer application must be printed and signed with a physical signature.

Completed paper copy applications can be:
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• Dropped off or mailed to GDHS, 85 Highway 32, RR#1, Gananoque, ON K7G 2V3
• Scanned and emailed to [email protected]

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​​​​Please note: We are currently in the process of developing an online application form to make submission easier in the future.

Thank you for your patience and for your interest in volunteering through GDHS.

Volunteer Application

Jax

Jewel (bottom left floor) BellaTrix (bottom right floor) and Inky (on bridge)

Membership Opportunity for Volunteers
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Volunteers who have been active for at least six months are eligible to become GDHS members. Membership gives you the right to attend the AGM, participate in discussions, and vote on key decisions. [Learn more about becoming a member - link to ​→ Membership page]

Madison

​I started volunteering with GDHS in February 2022 and love getting to meet all the cats and kittens, each with their own unique personality. It’s wonderful to watch them gain confidence and eventually find their forever homes. I especially enjoy working in the lobby, though I’ve also helped out in recovery. I am now the Cat Socializer Coordinator, helping monthly focus cats at the shelter become more socialized, confident, and comfortable interacting with people. For anyone considering volunteering with GDHS, I would say it’s a truly great place to volunteer. Everyone is friendly, supportive, and welcoming, and there is always a strong need for volunteers. Many people don’t realize just how many cats and kittens the shelter cares for at any given time. GDHS is a wonderful place, where the cats’ health and well-being are always the top priority. The cats are exceptionally well cared for, well socialized, and genuinely happy.

Val

Val began volunteering with GDHS in 2015 after retiring. She chose GDHS because it is a no-kill shelter and enjoys being part of a team so dedicated to animal care. Over the years, Val has volunteered in nearly every area of the shelter, and now focuses mainly on bottle returns, and preparing old towels for reuse as rags.  Val shares that volunteering at GDHS is very rewarding and that volunteers are always needed. She values the strong sense of community, noting that staff and volunteers often work the same shifts each week, allowing friendships to naturally develop. ​ Val would like people to know that the staff and volunteers at GDHS work incredibly hard every day to care for the cats and help them find loving homes. From feeding, cleaning, sanitizing, laundry, and medications to adoptions, phone calls, vet trips, donations, ordering supplies, and paperwork—there is always something to be done, and help is always appreciated.

Hilary

​I have volunteered on and off since around 2002 and returned on a regular basis about two years ago, and I continue to volunteer to this day.  I chose GDHS after learning more about the shelter while working as a Veterinary Technician at the Gananoque Veterinary Clinic. I was deeply impressed by the dedication of the volunteers and by GDHS’s commitment as a no-kill shelter. ​At the shelter, I help with weekend dishwashing and laundry. Most of my role, however, takes place behind the scenes, as I hand-writing special thank-you notes to show our appreciation to donors and supporters.  What I love most about volunteering at GDHS is working alongside people who genuinely care about every animal they meet. From feral mothers and their newborn kittens, to elderly cats surrendered after the loss of their owners, to frightened or injured strays—each animal receives compassionate, devoted care. It is truly an honour to work with such caring individuals from all walks of life. To anyone considering volunteering, I would say this: while you will help enrich the lives of many deserving animals, they will enrich your life in return. Over the years, I’ve shed tears of joy watching animals recover from serious injuries or illness, learn to trust again, and find their purrfect forever homes. All of this is possible because GDHS is a no-kill shelter where every animal is given the best chance we can provide.​

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