Volunteer at Cats Protection Swindon Branch
Give a little time, make a big difference.
Below is some guidance about the different roles and opportunities within the branch/area.
Fosterers
Essential to the work of Cats Protection, fosterers are responsible for looking after homeless cats and kittens until a new home can be found for them. It is important that fosters have the time to devote to the cats and kittens in their care, as many rescued cats will need rehabilitating and socialising before being rehomed.
Fosterers can do indoor or outdoor fostering. Indoor fostering requires a completely separate room where the cats can live, unless the fosterer is content for them to have the run of the house (there must be no other cats in the house if they are allowed the freedom of the house), noting that the cats are not allowed outdoors for their own health and safety while with us. We provide a pen for outdoor fostering but this requires a long term commitment as pens cost several thousand pounds.
The role may include taking foster cats to the vet for vaccinations or if they’re unwell. Providing detailed information about the cats to the website administrator, and letting potential adopters into your home to view the cats is also part of the role.
If you live in rented accommodation, written permission from the landlord must be obtained before fostering can commence. If you have your own cats, they must be kept fully up to date with their vaccinations, for their own wellbeing.
Administration / Liaison
Volunteers to help with our webpage, updating our cat recording system and possibility of setting up new fundraising / awareness initiatives. There will shortly be an opportunity to liaise with another organisation regarding cats coming into care.
Fundraisers
As a charity we are only able to help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to the donations we receive from generous members of the public. Online fundraisers help volunteer groups raise vital funds by organising online sales of goods, using social media to encourage donations and any other innovative ways to raise funds they can think of! Our fundraising volunteers help plan and deliver exciting and varied fundraising events, which can be anything from jumble sales, craft fairs, cake sales, etc. Fundraisers should have: Good communication skills, confidence in handling money, a willingness to be part of a team, confidence in speaking to members of the public and have your own transport and be willing to participate in the fundraising events.
Drivers
We are always in need of people with their own car who would be willing to take cats to the vets for appointments, picking up those cats coming into care and taking to the vet for examination and liaising with fosterers.