Help us look after the cats in our care as a Cat Care Volunteer
If you’re looking to spend a little extra time around cats and want to gain experience providing hands-on care, cat care volunteering could be for you. Our Cat Care Volunteers offer daily support including feeding the cats, cleaning their accommodation and maintaining a safe, hygienic environment in our cattery.
Who can become a Cat Care Volunteer?
There is no typical Cat Care Volunteer and we encourage anyone with enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard to apply. You will need to be able to travel to the Mitcham Homing Centre, based at Units 3+4 Boundary Business Court, 92-94 Church Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 3TD. For this particular role you will need to be physically able to complete the cleaning tasks required, which we do appreciate can be quite demanding. You must also be willing to get involved in the messier jobs and not get too squeamish over a dirty litter tray!
How much time do I need to commit to this role?
Due to the induction, training and ongoing support we provide for our volunteers, we would expect volunteers to complete at least one 3-hour shift every 2 weeks, ideally every week. We would also ask that volunteers are able to commit to their role for at least 6 months on a regular basis.
When can I volunteer?
Our volunteering shifts are between the hours of 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm (on any day) and 6pm-8pm (on Tuesdays only). Many of our volunteers undertake multiple shifts in a day or join us for a few days a week.
What is the minimum age for Cat Care Volunteers?
We recruit volunteers from the age of 14 years old and upwards, however volunteers under the age of 14 are only able to join us if accompanied by an equally enthusiastic adult. Volunteers between the age of 14 -18 years, will require permission from a parent or guardian. Please note - if you are wishing to complete a volunteering placement as part of a Duke of Edinburgh award or school work experience programme, please follow the separate guidance provided for work experience applications.
What skills must I have to be a Cat Care Volunteer?
You don't need any specific skills, but it is essential that you are enthusiastic, hard-working, eager to be part of a team, adaptable, and of course you must adore cats!
What is the recruitment process for Cat Care Volunteers?
To begin the process you will need to apply online. If your application is shortlisted you will be contacted for a telephone interview and we will complete reference checks. Successful applicants will then be invited to complete our in-house induction session, where you will learn more about Cats Protection and your role as a volunteer with us. You will then be offered a role-specific training session to provide you with practical training to prepare you for commencing your new role.
How can I apply?
To apply to join our team as a Cat Care Volunteer, please refer to our volunteering page, which will give you details of our next volunteer recruitment dates, and - once recruitment is under way - a link to begin the application process.
Hear from some of our Cat Care Volunteers:
“We adopted our cat from Cats Protection six and a half years ago, and she's brought us so much joy. Cats Protection does a great job looking after the cats in its care and finding good homes for them, and I wanted to be part of that process and help other people have the same great experience that we had! Plus, who can resist free cuddles with cats?” – Kat, Cat Care Volunteer
"I began volunteering at Cats Protection after deciding to retire early from my day job in the City of London. I needed something that allowed me plenty of time to pursue my interests yet still captured my desire to do something fulfilling and of real use. Having adopted a cat 12 years ago and loved them since childhood there was no better place to express myself than at Cats Protection. My time is generally spent caring for the huge variety of cats that Cats Protection are looking to re-home: deep cleaning and spot cleaning cat pens, feeding cats, as well as taking photos and writing briefs of new cats for the website.” – David, Cat Care Volunteer
“I love cats! I have always wanted to volunteer and when I heard that Cats Protection was opening a new adoption centre I quickly put in my application. I've now been volunteering as a Cat Care Volunteer for 2 years and I really love it. In this time I've learnt lots of new things about cats, met some great people who love talking about cats all the time, and, of course, met lots of wonderful kitties. Cats Protection has quite strict procedures in terms of hygiene and therefore my role involves quite a bit of cleaning, some days are so busy that you don't need to go to the gym after that!” – Maddy, Cat Care Volunteer