How to become a Volunteer Animal Sanctuary Worker

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Flexible
Entry level
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Thinking of spending some time as a Volunteer Animal Sanctuary Worker?

The primary task of a Volunteer Animal Sanctuary Worker is to keep the animals in your care for happy, clean and well-fed. Cleaning cages, scrubbing cat boxes and walking dogs are top your task list. Delivering meals makes you quite popular with the animals, and as they eat, you help them become accustomed to receiving love and attention. Animal Sanctuary Workers are often working with animals that have experienced neglect so patience is important as you'll have to proactively build a sense of trust with each animal you look after.

The benefits of being a Volunteer Animal Sanctuary Worker

How you’re helping

  • Providing animals with a safe, comfortable and happy home
  • Working with members of the public to educate them on the issues surrounding animal health and safety
  • Raising awareness on the particular organisation and cause

What you’re gaining

  • Understanding of the time, attention and care that is necessary for caring for animals
  • An opportunity to take responsibility for caring for animals in a sanctuary
  • Preserve the lives of animals and help them to live comfortably, free of fear

Development and growth

Skills you’ll need

  • Understanding of the care and attention that many animals require
  • Active listening, including giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate
  • Judgement and decision making – considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one

Skills you’ll gain

  • Roll up your sleeves and get to work in a number of different environments
  • Social perceptiveness – being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do
  • Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making