Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.
We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.
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
A bit more information about this role and the team
Our friendly team of volunteers would love you to join us at our Framlingham & Saxmundham branch.
We are currently looking for both indoor fosterers and outdoor fosterers. Locations can be anywhere within our branch area, but we would particularly welcome enquiries from people in the Woodbridge area.
Indoor fostering requires a dedicated room within the house if you have other pets. Or, whole house fostering is a possibility if you have no other pets. For outdoor fostering a cabin or cabins are provided for erection in a garden. All food and equipment are provided, and full training, support and advice will be given.
Becoming a fosterer for Cats Protection means you’ll temporarily take care of a cat in need while we find them their new home. This involves providing a safe and loving home for your foster cat (or cats) for between a few weeks to several months. You’ll get to know the cat in your care and fulfil their day-to-day needs by feeding them, changing their litter tray and keeping their space clean, making sure they have fresh water, socialising them, grooming them and, of course, offering lots of chin scratches! If they need any additional care, you’ll give them their medication and take them to vet appointments to keep them healthy and happy.
As your foster cat settles and you form a bond, you’ll play a huge role in helping to find them the perfect match by telling us all about the cat’s personality and taking lots of photos we can share with prospective owners. You’ll accommodate pre-booked visits from any potential adopters who pass our checks.
Use of a car is essential. We look forward to hearing from you soon for an informal chat.
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.
