Cat fosterer volunteer volunteer roles

ANIMAL FOSTERER

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH, SOUTHEND AND DISTRICT

We are looking for animal-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the well-being of our furry friends whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their perfect furever home?

We are seeking caring and dedicated foster caregivers to join our small team and help us support the dogs and cats in our care.

As a foster, you would be supporting your local RSPCA branch in providing our animals with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in an animal’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the animal centre will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your foster. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our animals are in your foster care, you will:

•   Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
•  Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
•  Help us spread the word about the animals in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddling are also a must!                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                     
What we are looking for in a volunteer:

•  Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for animals.
•  For their well-being, the whole family should be on board with fostering an animal.
•  Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they can’t be so, please let us know if this is the case).
•  Experienced caring for dogs or cats - the animals in our care have different needs, some are ready for rehoming, others may require rehabilitation or have ongoing health issues.
•  For dogs, you will need direct access to a private, secure garden for house training and off-leash playtime
•  For cats, you will need a spare room/secure, separate space for them
•  Plenty of time to spend with the dog/cat
•  Any existing pets need to be spayed/neutered
• Own car to transport the animal to veterinary appointments as required

 What we can offer you as a volunteer Fosterer

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the 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.

Ideally, foster volunteers should live within our branch’s district (postcodes SS0–SS12). We ask for a minimum commitment of three months to ensure the animals receive the love and stability they need.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     
It is worth mentioning that our animals do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster animal.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Do You Enjoy Driving?

Would you like to help RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch raise money locally by moving stock between our two shops, taking excess stock to storage and collecting donations from local businesses?

If you have a valid driving licence, can spare 2-3 days a week, and live in or around South Bucks, you could support our vital work.

Our volunteer drivers get to meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, and animal care professionals in the South Bucks area. You'll also get a buzz knowing that your efforts are directly helping animals.

Why We Want You:

We are RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, and our vision is to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible—they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Stock and Donation Transport:
• Move stock between our two shops (Chesham and Burnham) and their storage facilities, as required by the Shop Managers.
• Collect and deliver donations from around South Bucks to our shops.
• Remove over-sized rubbish from the shops and take it to the Amersham dump.
• Pet Food and Supplies Delivery:
• Ensure there is sufficient stock in the RSPCA Pet Food Store.
• Plan and deliver food and litter to cat fosterers at regular intervals.
• Collect and deliver bedding for small animals on a regular basis.
• General Duties:
• Carry out ad hoc transport requests from the management team.
• Undertake appropriate training as directed by the management team.

The Skills You Need:

• Aged 18 or over with a valid driving licence, happy to drive our van.
• Ability to lift, carry and handle boxes, bags and other items, safely.
• Good communication, friendly with organisational skills.
• A careful and responsible driver.
  
  What’s in It for You:
• Meet new people and be part of a dedicated team.
• Gain valuable skills and experience to enhance your CV.
• A comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role.
• Volunteer in a fun and rewarding environment at the heart of RSPCA South Bucks.
• The satisfaction of making a real difference to the welfare of animals.
• Reimbursement for any reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.

Practical Considerations:

• Volunteers will be required to undertake an online and practical driving assessment.
• This role involves lifting items of various sizes and weights.
• Volunteers must use the van provided for RSPCA purposes only.
• Volunteers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving the vehicle.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.
• Submission of two referees’ contact details.
• Completion of a simple online Health & Safety assessment.
• Online and practical driving assessments, after which you will receive a copy of our volunteer drivers’ handbook.