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
Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. Our Cat welfare team leaders have the important role of coordinating, encouraging and supporting teams of fosterer volunteers and cat care volunteers. They help make sure volunteers with direct cat care roles are happy and confident and provide advice and guidance when needed. This incredible teamwork means we are able to help more cats and kittens in need.
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
A bit more information about this role and the team
Our Atherton and Wigan branch are a well established team of volunteers who do amazing work to promote positive outcomes in their area. They are looking for a new team member to come on board to support the Branch Team Lead in supporting the fosterers within the branch when they take cats into care. Our Cat Welfare Team Lead role is a commitee role and an incredibly important and integral part of the branch team. Volunteers can expect to spend 10-12 hours a week in this role and it can be a reactive role dependent on when other branch members need support or have questions.
The successful applicant will be motivated and have great communication skills allowing them to flourish and enjoy their role in supporting the cats and people involved in our foster network here in the branch. They will also be involved in inputting data onto our internal systems.
This volunteer will be a first point of contact for fosterers if they have questions about the cats in their care and will be involved in providing fosterers with equipment, organising the cats moving into and out of foster homes and ensuring adherance to policy and procedure when it comes to the cats we look after.
The ideal candidate will have access to a car with any travel expenses being reimbursed. Full training will be given for the role.
What we need from you
You’ll be:
- Volunteering alongside colleagues including the branch coordinator/team leader, Cat Welfare team, branch development manager and Vet team to ensure that cat care policies, procedures and standards are applied
- Support fosterers to follow cat welfare policies and procedures
- Acting as the main point of contact within the branch for cat welfare and ensuring that welfare updates are shared and implemented effectively
- Supporting the branch by ensuring that accurate and up to date records of all cats helped are maintained, using specified systems
- Attending relevant volunteer training sessions and encouraging other volunteers to do likewise
- With the other volunteers, recruit, induct and support all branch fosterers and cat care volunteers
- Represent the branch at relevant meetings
- Play an active part in the branch committee, being part of the branch team leading on cat adoption information and updates
- Collaborating with the cat adoption team leader to ensure the highest standards of cat care are applied in line with our policies and procedures
Time expectation
The time expectation for this role will vary depending on the number of volunteers and cats in care. Our cat welfare team leaders usually spend between 10 to 12 hours per week in this role which is flexible and 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.
