Role Title: Cat Fostering Volunteer
Role Purpose: Every year, Cats Protection (CP) helps and rehomes thousands of cats. This work is undertaken through our network of adoption centres and volunteer-run groups. Cat Fostering Volunteers provide temporary care and accommodation for cats and kittens in need, whether they are stray or have been abandoned, need one-to-one care following an operation, or are ready to go to a loving and caring home.
Role Summary: Cat Fostering Volunteers provide daily hands-on cat care in their own homes, either in a provided purpose-built cat cabin in your garden or in an adapted spare room. This is a key role to ensure the needs of each cat being cared for are met appropriately and in good time in accordance with CP Policies and procedures*. In addition to looking after the health and well being of each cat, time is spent grooming and socialising the cats. From time to time, liaison with other group members, vets or potential owners may be needed. This role involves some record keeping to ensure we have an accurate record of each individual cat’s health and social needs which helps us to monitor their progress and match them with their ideal new home.
Experience/Skills/
Knowledge Required: A good working knowledge of basic cat care and an understanding of the importance of following care and hygiene standards are needed for this role. Good interpersonal skills for dealing with members of the public and vets are essential. The nature of this role means that emotional attachments to the cats do form; therefore Cat Fostering Volunteers need to be level headed, practical and committed to finding new homes for all the cats in their care.
Support and
Training Provided: A comprehensive manual of cat care advice has been developed and produced by the charity for use by Cat Fostering Volunteers and regular bulletins of advice and information are provided. The Regional Development Manager and Regional Development Assistant will provide training on an ongoing basis and centrally, CP’s Veterinary Department also provides specialist advice and support.
Time commitment: Cat Care Volunteers have full responsibility for the cats in their care. In practical terms this usually involves 1-3 hours per day caring for the cats but this will vary depending on the number or needs of individual cats. However, a variety of opportunities are available including short term, long term or periodic fostering depending on the commitment you wish to make.
*CP & CP volunteers work in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006; the Animal Health & Welfare Act (Scotland) Act 2006 and the principal legislation in Northern Ireland being the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972 and any secondary legislation or codes of practice introduced by parliament or the individual assemblies in due course.