Home > Organizations > Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT) > Care Closet Volunteer
Populations Served
- Adults
- Low-Income
- People with Disabilities
- Seniors
- Young Adults
Competencies/Skills
- Accountability
- Communication
- Community Engagement/Advocacy
- Empathy
- Time Management
Opportunity last updated: October 2nd
Care Closet Volunteer
Flexible Hours- Suitable for Seniors
The Care Closet Volunteer helps PAACT provide free pet food and essential supplies to community members experiencing financial hardship. This practical, community-facing role includes distributing prepared supplies at scheduled pickups, collecting donations, organizing inventory, and preparing emergency pet supply kits as needed.
During the initial volunteer and training stage, the Core PAACT team reviews requests and makes decisions about eligibility, assistance, and exceptions to program policies. Volunteers follow the team’s instructions and refer questions or concerns to them.
This entry-level position is designed to prepare you to become PAACT’s Care Closet Coordinator, with the goal of being voted onto the Board in that role. You will begin with hands-on tasks, then gradually learn the program’s policies and procedures and take on greater responsibility. The Core PAACT team will provide resources, guidance, and ongoing support as your knowledge, skills, and confidence grow.
Volunteer Duties
Whenever possible, we group pickups at the same time and location to make the most of your volunteer time. Please provide your available days and times about a week in advance, where possible, so the team can arrange pickups with community members.
When supplies will be ready during one of your available times, the Core PAACT team will contact you to confirm a pickup that works for both you and the community member(s). Once confirmed, you will collect the prepared supplies, usually in north Lethbridge, and meet the community member(s) at an agreed public location. Please text the PAACT number when the pickup is complete.
If a community member cancels or does not arrive within the agreed pickup period, text the team to let us know. You are not expected to wait beyond that period. Follow the team’s instructions for returning unclaimed supplies to inventory. The team handles rescheduling and any exceptions to Care Closet policies.
The role also includes collecting donations from Care Closet bins at Green Acres Animal Hospital, Bone & Biscuit West, and Zen Cat Clinic in Lethbridge at least once every two weeks. Collections can be arranged around your availability and each location’s opening hours. Coordinate with the team to confirm which bins you will collect from and whether donations should be dropped off at the Care Closet storage area or storage locker. Text the team when collections and drop-offs are complete.
Age Requirements
18 years of age or older
Other Requirements
- Dependable, respectful, compassionate, and comfortable interacting with diverse community members.
- Able to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
- Able to communicate reliably with the PAACT team.
- Access to reliable transportation for donation-bin collections.
- Able to safely lift and transport bags or boxes of pet food and supplies. Accommodations can be discussed.
- Personal access to a phone and email.
- Willingness to follow PAACT policies and procedures.
Schedule
During the initial volunteer stage, we ask that you be available for at least one pickup period of approximately 30 minutes each week, with two periods preferred if your schedule allows. You will also collect donations from community bins at least once every two weeks. Please allow additional time to collect prepared supplies, travel, drop off donations, and review training resources.
Pickups are arranged around your communicated availability, capacity, and reasonable travel area. Your availability can change from week to week; simply keep the team informed so we can plan together.
As you progress toward the Coordinator role, the time commitment will increase to include scheduling, communication, inventory oversight, supporting volunteers, and eventually Board responsibilities. The Coordinator role will require more than one or two hours per week, with the amount of time varying according to program demand.
We will review the expected commitment together before you take on additional responsibilities. You are not expected to maintain open availability, be available around the clock, rearrange personal commitments, deliver supplies to homes, or take on more than you have agreed to do.
Time Commitment
Continuing commitment
Type of Opportunity
Animal Care,Behind the Scenes,Community Engagement,Transportation
Application Type
Basic
Other Opportunities with Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT)
We are seeking Core Volunteers who are committed, kind-hearted, and aligned with our belief that both pets and families deserve understanding, respect, and accessible care. This opportunity is ideal for individuals seeking consistent involvement, deeper engagement, and long-term impact.
Support Provided: Clear role expectations, mentorship, collaborative teamwork, and ongoing communication.
If you are seeking a role where your time, care, and commitment truly matter, we invite you to consider joining PAACT as a Core Volunteer.
Core Volunteers are the backbone of PAACT’s ongoing programs and services. This role goes beyond occasional involvement and offers the opportunity to contribute consistently to meaningful work that helps keep pets safe, supported, and at home with the families who love them—often during times of crisis, transition, or uncertainty.
PAACT is a rapidly growing grassroots nonprofit serving communities across Southern Alberta. Our work is grounded in compassion, dignity, and proactive support—strengthening the bond between pets and their people through education, advocacy, and early intervention.
We recognize that each volunteer brings unique strengths, perspectives, and skills. Roles are thoughtfully aligned to individual capacities and interests to ensure involvement is both sustainable and impactful. We believe volunteers should feel valued, supported, and empowered—not overwhelmed. Together, we create meaningful, lasting imPAACT for pets, their people, and the broader community.
Thanks for your interest in this volunteer position!
We'll just need a bit of information so we can pass your application along to Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT).
Volunteers can sign up for up to 3 continuing commitment opportunities for immediate referrals. If you signed up for more than 3, a Volunteer Lethbridge staff member will connect with you before making new referrals.