What's involved in volunteering as a cat handler?
Some of the cats that come into our care can be shy, nervous or aggressive because of their past or if they are struggling to adapt to the rescue environment.
Our dedicated team of cat desensitisation volunteers help these wary moggies to become happier and more confident cats by spending time gently handling them and playing with them. This helps to prepare them for finding their perfect forever home where they can continue to develop their pawsome personalities.
This is an ideal role if you want to spend time with cats and make a direct contribution to improving their lives. It can also be beneficial for your own wellbeing as volunteering with cats can improve your mental health. As you’ll be working as part of a team, you’ll have the opportunity make lots of new cat-loving friends and learn lots more about felines.
To discover more of the benefits of becoming a cat desensitisation volunteer, watch our video below:
What does the role involve?
- Ensuring the needs of each cat are met
- Using desensitisation programmes to help cats get used to different people and experiences
- Enriching each cats experience through play, exercise and handling
What skills/experience do I need?
- A basic knowledge of cats, cat care and behaviour
- Good observational skills
- Patience and perseverance
- A level-headed and practical approach
- The ability to be calm, quiet and confident around cats
How many hours do I need to give?
This role is flexible and most cat desensitisation volunteers give one to two hours a week. However, the role can be shared between more than one volunteer if needed. We request that volunteers spend time with a particular cat on a weekly basis, as this will be more beneficial for the cats in care.
To find out more about volunteering with Cats Protection or to apply for one of our many volunteering roles, visit https://www.cats.org.uk/support-us/get-involved-volunteering.
