Volunteer roles for the Animal sector

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Become a Fundraising Volunteer!

Help make a better life for cats – because life is better with cats

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is, and always will be, at the heart of Cats Protection. It’s joyful, inclusive, and driven by people working together to transform the lives of cats, people, and communities. When you volunteer with us, you become part of something truly meaningful.

The difference you’ll make

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Cats Protection helps thousands of cats every year. Our fundraising volunteers play a vital role in making this possible. By using your passion for cats and people, you’ll help raise the funds needed to support more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we’ll support you to get involved in a way that suits you best. Whether you enjoy organising events, fundraising online, promoting activities on social media, helping with administration, or coming up with fresh ideas — there’s a place for you here. Whatever your skills or interests, this could be the perfect role.

What you can expect from us

• A warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment in line with our values and behaviours
• Support to help you have a positive and impactful volunteering experience
• Agreed out-of-pocket expenses covered in line with our Expenses Policy
• Access to learning, development, and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a highly flexible role, and you can choose how you’d like to get involved. Opportunities include:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping at fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, and monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals and writing engaging cat case studies to maximise donations
• Marketing and promotion – spreading the word about fundraising activities via social media and local press
• Administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, and completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – helping to develop new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• Photography – capturing images of cats in care, cats we’re helping, fundraising events, and all things Cats Protection

Time commitment

This role is flexible and designed to fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a friendly team raising vital funds — and having fun along the way.

You could be just the volunteer we’re looking for

We’re committed to building a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. Together, we’re courageous and compassionate in helping people see the world through cats’ eyes.

Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats. Together, we are all for cats.

Become a Fundraising Volunteer!

Help make a better life for cats – because life is better with cats

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is, and always will be, at the heart of Cats Protection. It’s joyful, inclusive, and driven by people working together to transform the lives of cats, people, and communities. When you volunteer with us, you become part of something truly meaningful.

The difference you’ll make

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Cats Protection helps thousands of cats every year. Our fundraising volunteers play a vital role in making this possible. By using your passion for cats and people, you’ll help raise the funds needed to support more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we’ll support you to get involved in a way that suits you best. Whether you enjoy organising events, fundraising online, promoting activities on social media, helping with administration, or coming up with fresh ideas — there’s a place for you here. Whatever your skills or interests, this could be the perfect role.

What you can expect from us

• A warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment in line with our values and behaviours
• Support to help you have a positive and impactful volunteering experience
• Agreed out-of-pocket expenses covered in line with our Expenses Policy
• Access to learning, development, and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a highly flexible role, and you can choose how you’d like to get involved. Opportunities include:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping at fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, and monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals and writing engaging cat case studies to maximise donations
• Marketing and promotion – spreading the word about fundraising activities via social media and local press
• Administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, and completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – helping to develop new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• Photography – capturing images of cats in care, cats we’re helping, fundraising events, and all things Cats Protection

Time commitment

This role is flexible and designed to fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a friendly team raising vital funds — and having fun along the way.

You could be just the volunteer we’re looking for

We’re committed to building a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. Together, we’re courageous and compassionate in helping people see the world through cats’ eyes.

Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats. Together, we are all for cats.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately, thousands of cats each year are abandoned or have strayed and rely on charities like Cats Protection for help. Becoming a trap, neuter and return (TNR) volunteer is one way you can make a real difference to cats in your local area. Our TNR volunteers help reduce the number of feral cats by raising awareness of our TNR programmes, setting humane traps to safely capture cats, taking them to local vets to be neutered, and hopefully returning them back to their territory. Local TNR programmes are crucial, as feral and abandoned cats present a huge challenge for communities across the UK.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Trapping cats using humane methods
• Taking cats to local vets to be neutered 
• Returning cats to their territory or finding a suitable alternative

The role might also include:

• Regular feeding of feral colonies
• Promoting neutering by building relationships with farmers, land owners and local businesses
• Liaising with vets to promote and arrange neutering 

Time expectation 

This is a flexible role and the hours will vary depending on the number of cats identified for specific TNR campaigns. Our current TNR volunteers spend about 2 to 3 hours per week in this role which can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

Time expectation

Our branch team leader volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are available.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better  with cats.

About the Role

Do you enjoy fixing things and taking on practical maintenance tasks? We are looking for a reliable and hands-on volunteer to support the upkeep of our charity shops.

This role focuses on maintenance and repairs, helping ensure our shops are safe, functional, and fit for purpose. Your support will reduce external maintenance costs and allow more funds to go directly towards helping animals in need.

Key Responsibilities

As a Shop Maintenance & Handyman Volunteer, your focus will be on practical repair and upkeep tasks, including:

• Carrying out general repairs and maintenance across our charity shops
• Fixing fixtures and fittings such as shelving, rails, doors, locks, and furniture
• Assembling or repairing donated items suitable for resale
• Painting, decorating, and maintaining shop interiors
• Identifying maintenance issues and proactively addressing them where possible
• Reporting any larger or specialist repairs that require external support
• Supporting with small improvement or refurbishment projects

Additional (desirable) support:

• Assisting with moving stock or equipment between locations
• Helping with collections or deliveries if you hold a driving licence

What We’re Looking For

• Someone practical and confident in carrying out DIY and maintenance tasks

• Experience in general maintenance, repairs, or a trade (informal experience is welcome)

• A proactive, problem-solving approach

• Ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively

• Willingness to follow health and safety guidance

• A positive attitude and commitment to supporting the charity

• Desirable (but not essential):

• A full, clean driving licence

• Confidence driving a van or willingness to assist with transporting stock

• Ability to support with lifting and moving items (with appropriate training)

Time Commitment

We are flexible and can work around your availability, but we are ideally looking for someone who can offer regular support (e.g. a few hours per week or month).

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to use your practical skills for a meaningful cause
• A chance to meet new people and be part of a friendly team
• Hands-on experience in a retail and charity environment
• The satisfaction of seeing tangible results from your work

What Difference Will You Make?

By keeping our shops well-maintained and operational, you will play a vital role in supporting our income generation. Every repair and improvement you make helps our shops run more efficiently—ensuring more funds can go towards protecting and caring for animals in need.

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!

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the South London Branch.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and depending on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Our social media volunteers use their passion and knowledge of social media to promote the activities of local volunteer teams though various channels. They directly help cats by raising awareness of Cats Protection. A higher profile can help us raise the funds we need for our work, ensure people know they can adopt a cat from us, help promote neutering and help as many people as possible learn more about feline welfare.
 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

Our Warehouse is at the very heart of the Woodgreen Retail operation and ensures all our shops have stock in the right place, at the right time.

The income from our shops, directly supports pets and their people and we would love you to join our friendly volunteering team, as a Warehouse Volunteer.

What better way to spend your spare time, supporting us and helping us to raise money through our shops and the sale of our donated items.

What will I be doing?

We can offer a wide range of roles within our warehouse to suit all sorts of interests, skills and abilities;

• Maybe you are interested in fashion and can help with sorting our clothing donations?
• Maybe you love books, or homewares and can help sort these for our shops?
• We often require PAT testers for our donated electrical items; (we give free PAT test training)?
• Do you love music? We need people to check and sort our CDs, Vinyl and DVDs.
• Are you interested in antique and collectable items? We often get interesting items donated to us which we need to research and value.  These are then passed to our Ebay team to raise more money for Woodgreen.

If none of this sounds exciting you could also prepare packages of stock for our shops, sort bags of textiles for recycling and help load our vans for shop deliveries. Some heavy lifting may be required but assistance will always be available.

Where is this role based?

Our distribution centre, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH

What is Woodgreen looking for?

Essential Attributes

• You must be over 18 years old
• Reliable and punctual

• Positive and friendly manner
• Be able to work as a part of a team as well as on your own

Desirable Attributes

• Good written and spoken English
• Reasonable level of fitness
• Computer literacy

What will I gain from this role?

For just a few hours of your time each week you will have the chance to ...

• Help pets and their people in need
• Learn new skills and gain experience
• Make new friends
• Become part of a friendly, diverse & committed team
• Put your spare time to good use and add meaningful & respected content to your CV
• We offer 25% discount within our shops to all volunteers
• Uniform will be provided
• Free onsite parking

How many hours per week would I be required to volunteer?

We work around you!  All voluntary hours are negotiable, and we are very grateful for any time you can give to us.

Our distribution centre operates between Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm.

If this sounds of interest, please apply now. 

Woodgreen is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.