The email I received back today:

I spoke with [name redacted] and unfortunately she is not at a stage right now where she needs a volunteer to assist.

You might want to look at the MSc program in animal welfare at the University of Guelph.  It is a more course based program so less emphasis on research experience.

And that was it.

I did go look at the Guelph website but number one, it’s in Ontario and I’m in BC and I don’t really want to move out there, and number two, they require an honours degree in a scientific field as a prerequisite, which I don’t have.

I feel frustrated. I have a year in which I could volunteer and get research experience, because the cut-off for applications for September is in January, but I have no idea how to go about doing that.