Cat fosterer volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Belfast

Volunteer Animal Fosterer - RSPCA North West London and South Hertfordshire Branch

Could you open your home to an animal who needs a little extra time, care and love?

Not every animal is ready to go straight into their forever home. Some need somewhere quiet and comfortable while they recover from illness or treatment. Others need time to grow in confidence, experience life in a home environment or simply have someone give them the attention and reassurance they need.

That's where our fosterers come in.

By opening your home temporarily to a cat, rabbit, guinea pig or another small animal, you can give them something incredibly valuable - a safe place to settle, recover and be themselves while we find their forever home. You could be the person who helps a nervous cat discover that people can be trusted, gives a rabbit the chance to experience life in a loving home, or helps us understand exactly what an animal needs from their future family. And when the time comes for them to move on, you'll know that you played an important part in getting them there.

You won't be doing it alone Our fosterers are part of our wider animal welfare team. We'll get to know you, your home and your experience, and we'll support you throughout the placement.

We'll provide:

• Fostering training and an induction.

• Food and equipment needed for your foster animal.

• Veterinary care.

• Ongoing advice and support from our animal welfare team.

• Reimbursement of other expenses agreed with us in advance.

You'll always be able to talk to someone if you have a question or are unsure about something.

What does fostering involve?

Every foster animal is different, so no two placements will be exactly the same. Depending on the animal, you might:

• Give them a safe, comfortable and appropriate space in your home.

• Provide food, fresh water and grooming as needed.

• Spend time helping them feel safe, settled and comfortable.

• Give them plenty of appropriate play, enrichment and, when they're ready, affection and cuddles.

• Keep an eye on their behaviour and wellbeing and let our team know how they're getting on.

• Give medication or support rehabilitation where needed.

• Take them to routine or emergency veterinary appointments.

• Tell us about their personality, likes, dislikes and the progress they're making.

• Help us find the right forever home by sharing what you've learnt about them.

You don't need to be an animal behaviour expert. What matters most is patience, commitment and a willingness to learn.

Could you be a fosterer?

Fostering could be a great fit if:

• You're aged 18 or over and have good experience of caring for animals.

• Everyone in your household is happy to welcome a foster animal into your home.

• You have enough time to give an animal the care and attention they need.

• You're patient and able to adapt if their needs change.

• You live within the area covered by our Branch, as shown on the accompanying map.

• You're able to collect supplies from our offices.

• You can transport your foster animal to veterinary appointments, including urgent appointments if needed.

• Any animals already living in your home have been spayed or neutered. If this isn't possible for medical reasons, please talk to us - we can discuss your circumstances.

You don't need previous fostering experience. If you have the right experience with animals and are willing to learn, we'll provide the training and support you need.

What will you get from fostering?

Fostering can be incredibly rewarding.

You'll:

• Make a direct difference to an animal who needs your help.

• Give an animal the chance to feel safe and relaxed in a home environment.

• Help an animal recover, build confidence or prepare for adoption.

• Get to know an animal's individual personality and help us find the right forever home for them.

• Develop your animal-care knowledge and practical skills.

• Receive training and ongoing support from our team.

• Become part of our community of staff and volunteers.

• Gain valuable volunteering experience.

And, of course, you'll get to enjoy the company of your foster animal - without making the lifelong commitment that comes with adoption.

Finding the right foster animal for you

We don't expect you to foster every animal who needs a home.

Every animal is different, and we'll take the time to understand your home, your experience, your availability and the types of animals you're comfortable caring for. We'll then look for a foster placement that's a good match for both you and the animal. You'll have the opportunity to talk to us about each potential placement before you agree to take an animal. If a particular animal isn't right for you, that's absolutely fine. We want fostering to work well for everyone.

Could you give an animal a temporary home? If you've ever thought about helping an animal but adoption isn't right for you, fostering could be the perfect way to make a difference. You could give an animal the time, patience and care they need today - and help them take their next step towards a happy life in their forever home.

We'd love to hear from you.

All our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and an initial trial period. We'll ask you to provide details of two referees. Depending on the role and the animals you foster, you may also need to complete specific training and sign a volunteer agreement before you begin.

Can you help us by providing a calm, safe, and caring environment for our small furries whilst we find them their fur-ever home?

Often when we think about animal fostering, cats, and dogs spring to mind, but have you ever thought about fostering our smaller animals? The RSPCA received more than 5,000 reports last year about rabbits and other small furries relating to neglect or abandonment and rescued an average of 340 small furries a month! To help us with the rehoming of these small animals, we are actively looking to add to our fantastic team of volunteer fosterers.

As a small animal fosterer, you would play an essential role in providing the animals in our care with a temporary home whilst they are being rehomed. Like us, even small furries have specific needs and requirements, but rest assured, once we have guided you through the fostering process the animal centre will ensure that you have all the necessary guidance, equipment, food, and veterinary care.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Provide them with care, safe suitable housing, and space for playtime, as outlined in our policies and guidelines.

• Ensure that they are groomed if appropriate and fed and watered.

• Provide them with suitable and clean bedding to keep them cosy.

• Give them lots of attention and plenty of cuddles as they are very sociable animals.

What We’re Looking For:

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience of caring for animals.

• Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.

• For their wellbeing, our small furries may need to be fostered in pairs, so please bear this in mind.

• Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case).

• You should be located in South Buckinghamshire or within a reasonable distance.

What’s in It for You?

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the small animals in your care.

• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.

• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.

• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

• The RSPCA is happy to reimburse you for any pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Practical Considerations:

• Health & Safety: You’ll need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before starting the role.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.

• Submission of two referees’ contact details.

• Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.

Are you passionate about animal welfare and wanting to make a difference to the lives of cats and kittens in the York area? Join us as a Foster Coordinator to support the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of cats and kittens. 

Role overview:

As the Volunteer Foster Coordinator, you will play a vital role in managing our foster program for cats in our care. This position is essential for ensuring that our cats are placed in loving, temporary homes while they await adoption. You will collaborate closely with foster carers, potential adopters, and other volunteers to create a supportive environment that benefits both the cats and their fosters.

Key responsibilities:

• Foster management: Oversee the onboarding and ongoing support of foster carers.

• Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for foster carers, addressing any questions or concerns and providing necessary updates. Communication will primarily occur through email and messaging platforms, access to facebook and Whatapp is essential.

• Training and support: Provide guidance and resources to foster carers on cat care, behaviour, and best practices to ensure the well-being of the cats in their care and ensuring our policies and procedures are upheld.

• Record keeping: Maintain organised and accurate records of foster placements, including intake forms, health updates, and feedback from foster homes.

• Coordination of resources: Ensure that foster homes have the necessary supplies (food, litter, etc.) and access to veterinary care as needed.

• Post-Foster follow-up: Check in with fosterers to gather feedback and facilitate any transitions to permanent homes, ensuring a smooth process for both the cats and their fosters.

What we’re looking for:

• Passion for animal welfare: A strong commitment to the well-being of cats and a desire to support their journey to permanent homes.

• Excellent communication skills: Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with foster carers and the volunteer team.

• Organisational skills: Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple foster placements simultaneously.

• Computer proficiency: Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and communication platforms such as email and social media.

• Previous experience in animal rescue: Preferred but not essential; a willingness to learn and grow in this role is important. It is essential, however, to have experience and knowledge of cat health and behaviour.

Why Join us?

• Make a difference: Play a crucial role in the lives of cats and their foster families.

• Gain experience: Develop valuable skills in animal rescue and foster care management.

• Community support: Become part of a dedicated team of animal lovers and advocates.

• Ongoing training & development: Receive support and guidance from experienced volunteers and trustees.