Animal carer volunteer roles in northampton, northamptonshire
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Passionate about animal welfare? Bring your expertise to our Board.
Our mission
Our mission is to improve the lives of dogs and cats today and avoid harm tomorrow.
The Edgard & Cooper Foundation exists to end the suffering of dogs and cats.
To realise our mission, we work in partnership with projects that meet our three key goals:
- Stop the avoidable suffering of dogs and cats
- Help people understand what dogs and cats need
- Champion the legal protection of dogs and cats
Since the start of our operations in 2016, The Edgard & Cooper Foundation has worked hard to reach its full potential but we need your help. We see the need to bring a new Trustee to the Board, with a background in legal or governance and animal welfare to help us continuously improve and further our impact.
Edgard & Cooper and the Foundation
The Edgard & Cooper Foundation operates as a distinct and independent entity from Edgard & Cooper, the pet food brand. While both share a deep commitment to improving the lives of dogs and cats, the Foundation is solely dedicated to philanthropic efforts, focusing on funding impactful animal welfare initiatives worldwide. Since our inception, we have provided financial support to 22 projects in 16 countries, with a total funding commitment of €3,303,869. In 2024, we donated €770,000 to partners addressing animal welfare, education, and legal protection.
Person Specification
It’s essential to us that all persons involved with The Edgard & Cooper Foundation in any capacity have a genuine passion for the welfare of all animals, and fully support our mission and values.
We are seeking a Trustee with expertise and experience in:
- Animal welfare issues faced by dogs and cats, and their possible solutions locally and globally, to enhance impact.
- Legal, compliance, and risk management to ensure strong charitable governance.
- Previous Board Trustee experience, ideally within animal welfare philanthropy or related causes.
Trustee Responsibilities
- Developing and upholding the mission and values of The Edgard & Cooper Foundation.
- Strategic input on our Theory of Change model and setting our goals and key priorities.
- Expert input on decision-making and evaluation of partners and grant-making activities.
- Ensuring legal, compliance, and risk management best practices are integrated into all Foundation activities.
- Reviewing budgets and statutory annual accounts, as well as reviewing and developing all internal processes; financial, operational and otherwise.
- Reviewing and development of external communications when required.
- Supporting the Foundation team with expertise and critical advice.
- Review of organisational structure, including advice and decision-making on new Board members and succession.
- Acting as an ambassador for The Edgard & Cooper Foundation and paying keen attention to any organisations we fund through grant-making.
What's in it for you?
This is the perfect opportunity to make a tangible, lasting difference in dog and cat welfare while using your professional skills for a meaningful cause. As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in shaping the Foundation’s impact, working alongside a passionate and dynamic Board committed to driving positive change.
This role offers valuable learning and developing opportunities, exposure to high-level strategic decision-making, as well as network expansion opportunities.
Please note that trustee roles are not accompanied by financial remuneration, though reasonable travel expenses may be claimed.
Hiring Process
- Fill in your information through our Careers Page to express your interest in the position and we will schedule a “Get to know you” call (25’)
- Match? Please send us your resume and a cover letter
- Competency-based interview with the Executive team (1 hour)
- Opportunity to engage with the other Board Members
Equal opportunities
We believe our strength comes from its diversity. We strive to create an environment where every person feels valued and empowered. So no matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe in or what your dreams are, we welcome you and look forward to receiving your application.
If your circumstances require any special arrangements at any stage of our interview process, please let us know.
We're looking forward to hearing from you.
We kindly ask you to apply in English.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Van Driver – Help Us Make a Difference!
Location:RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch – Community-based
Role Type: Volunteer – Van Driver
Manager: Operations Manager
Do You Enjoy Driving?
Would you like to help save time for our animal welfare team by transporting animals, stock, and essential supplies?
At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our volunteer drivers play a crucial role by:
- Transporting animals to and from vets, foster homes, and boarding establishments.
- Moving stock and donations between our two shops (Chesham and Burnham) and storage facilities.
- Delivering pet food, litter, and bedding to cat fosterers and small animal carers.
If you have a valid driving licence, some spare time during weekdays, evenings, or weekends, and live in or around South Bucks, you could support our vital work.
Why Volunteer With Us?
As an RSPCA volunteer driver, you will:
- Meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, and animal care professionals.
- Know that your time and effort is directly helping animals in need.
- Enjoy a rewarding role that makes a tangible difference to animal welfare in your local area.
What We’re Looking For:
- Aged 18 or over with a valid driving licence.
- Ability to lift animals safely in and out of the vehicle.
- Comfortable lifting and handling boxes, bags, and hay bales.
- Friendly, reliable, and responsible with good communication skills.
- A careful and considerate driver.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Animal Transport: Safely transporting animals to and from vets, foster homes, and boarding establishments.
- Stock and Donation Transport: Moving donations and stock between shops and storage.
- Pet Food and Supply Delivery: Ensuring fosterers and small animal carers have the supplies they need.
- Ad Hoc Requests: Supporting ad hoc transport needs from the management team.
- Vehicle Care: Cleaning animal transport equipment and the van interior after each use.
- Administrative Tasks: Completing basic paperwork, such as mileage returns.
What’s in It for You?
- Meet new people and make new friends.
- A comprehensive induction and training programme relevant to your role.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to the welfare of animals.
- Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.
- Practical Considerations:
- Driving Assessments: Volunteers will be required to undertake online and practical driving assessments.
Vehicle Use:
All volunteers must use the van provided for RSPCA purposes only and must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving.
Physical Requirements:
This role involves lifting animals and handling stock of varying sizes and weights.
Training and Support:
You will receive a volunteer drivers’ handbook and full support from our team.
Online Access:
Online training may not be compatible with mobile devices, so access to a laptop or PC is required.
Disclaimer:
Our voluntary roles are subject to:
- An informal interview and trial period.
- Submission of two referees’ contact details.
- Completion of a simple online Health & Safety assessment.
- Driving assessments and ongoing training.
If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA, we’d love to hear from you!
We would love to hear from you!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Small Animal Coordinator - RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch
Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for a dedicated volunteer to help find loving and caring homes for the animals in our care. This rewarding role directly impacts the lives of animals, ensuring they find safe and happy forever homes.
About the Opportunity
As an Assistant Rehoming Coordinator, you will play a vital role in finding homes for animals cared for by our local RSPCA branch. You will work with the Small Animal Coordinator, and the team of fosterers, liaise with external organisations, and maintain accurate rehoming records. This role is essential in improving animal welfare and promoting responsible pet ownership.
About the RSPCA
Founded in 1824, the RSPCA is the UK’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity. Our vision is a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Through rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts, we work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty and neglect.
The Buckinghamshire South Branch is a separately registered local charity, working alongside the national RSPCA to carry out animal welfare work in our area. Our branch focuses on providing small animal welfare and rehoming services with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers.
Key Responsibilities
Rehoming Coordination:
● Act as the contact point for the public, police, local authorities, RSPCA inspectors, and other organisations regarding the acceptance of unwanted or unowned animals.
● Ensure that all animals offered for adoption are assessed prior to rehoming.
● Working with the Small Animal Coordinator and a team of fosterers to make a plan for all intake animals and prepare animals for adoption.
● Oversee the adoption process, including reviewing applications, arranging viewings, and carrying out home visits (in-person or virtually).
● Maintain regular contact with fosterers to oversee animal welfare, including monitoring animal health, behaviour, and rehoming readiness.
Fosterer and Volunteer Management:
● Working with the Small Animal Coordinator to recruit and manage a team of fosterers.
● Working with the team to provide and support training, issuing updates, and maintaining motivation.
● Working with Small animal Coordinator to conduct in-person interviews and risk assessments for fosterer placement suitability, including reviewing references.
● Support fosterers with veterinary visits, including emergencies and end-of-life decisions.
● Organise holiday cover for fosterers, including sourcing temporary carers.
Animal Care and Welfare:
● Arrange for veterinary visits, vaccinations, and neutering procedures for animals in care.
● Ensure all animals are scanned for microchips and returned to original owners when appropriate.
● Develop and implement care plans for each animal, considering health, companionship, and rehoming needs.
● Keep accurate records of all animals in care, including health status, treatment plans, and adoption outcomes.
Administration and Reporting:
● Compile regular rehoming and welfare reports.
● Maintain accurate records of rehoming activities and fosterer details.
● Ensure compliance with data protection legislation when handling sensitive information.
● Contribute to the monthly and annual branch reports.
● Support fundraising events and write content for social media appeals.
What We’re Looking For:
● Excellent organisation and communication skills.
● Knowledge and experience of working with small animals.
● Understanding of welfare guidelines and where appropriate Defra regulations.
● Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a volunteer team.
● Comfortable with administrative tasks, including record-keeping and report writing.
● Experience in team management is advantageous but not essential.
● Passion for animal welfare and improving the lives of animals.
● Flexible and reliable, with the capacity to offer an ongoing commitment, we are looking for 2 positions to cover days, evenings and weekends.
● You must be 18 years or older, hold a valid driving licence and be able to lift animals in and out of your own vehicle safely, possess your own vehicle, lap top, mobile phone and have access to the internet. Ideally you will also have space for equipment to foster and assess small animals, especially rabbits.
What We Offer:
● The opportunity to make a direct and meaningful difference in the lives of small animals.
● Training and development opportunities, including induction and ongoing support.
● The chance to meet new people and make lasting friendships.
● Become part of a compassionate community, meet new people, and make lifelong friends.
● Gain valuable skills through our comprehensive induction and training program.
● Gain leadership and management experience and newly acquired skills.
● Access to the RSPCA Learning Hub with a wide range of training materials.
● The satisfaction of seeing small animals find their forever homes.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Handyperson – Help Us Keep Our Facilities in Top Shape!
Location: RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch – Community-based
Role Type: Volunteer – Handyperson
Manager: Operations Manager
Do You Enjoy DIY and Fixing Things?
Would you like to use your practical skills to help improve the environment for rescued animals and support our charity shops?
At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our volunteer handypersons play a crucial role by:
● Repairing and maintaining small animal pens and hutches to ensure they are safe and comfortable.
● Installing shelves, notice boards, and basic fixtures in our charity shops.
Carrying out general maintenance tasks at our shops, storage facilities, and animal care locations.
● Assisting with minor repairs, painting, and basic carpentry tasks as needed.
If you have basic DIY skills, some spare time, and want to make a real difference, we’d love to have you on board!
Why Volunteer With Us?
As an RSPCA volunteer handyperson, you will:
● Meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, animal carers and people from our community.
● Help create safer and more comfortable environments for animals.
● Support the smooth running of our charity shops and animal care sites.
● Enjoy a rewarding role that makes a tangible difference in your local community.
What We’re Looking For:
● Aged 18 or over with practical DIY skills.
● Ability to use basic tools safely (drills, screwdrivers, hammers, saws, etc.).
● Comfortable lifting, carrying, and handling materials.
● Reliable, responsible, and able to work independently.
● A problem-solver with a can-do attitude.
What You’ll Be Doing:
● Animal Pen & Hutch Repairs: Fixing broken enclosures and ensuring they are safe and weatherproof.
● Shop Maintenance: Putting up shelves, assembling furniture, and installing small fixtures.
● General Repairs & Upkeep: Basic painting, minor carpentry, and fixing small issues.
● Storage & Organisation: Helping maintain our storage areas and ensuring everything is tidy.
● Ad Hoc Jobs: Supporting the team with various maintenance tasks as needed.
What’s in It for You?
● Meet new people and be part of a passionate team.
● A comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role.
● The chance to make a meaningful difference to the welfare of animals.
● Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.
Practical Considerations:
● Health & Safety: Volunteers must follow RSPCA safety guidelines for DIY work.
● Physical Requirements: This role involves lifting, carrying, and working with tools.
● Equipment Use: Tools and materials will be provided where needed.
● Volunteers must use equipment safely and responsibly.
● Training & Support: You will receive a volunteer handbook and guidance from our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Canine Partners are looking for volunteers who can provide loving homes for our young dogs, aged 14 months upwards, whilst helping to train them to be canine partners.
By volunteering you will:
- Be a valued member of our Charity
- Know that you are integrally involved in the care and training of a dog that will change the life of a person waiting for their Canine Partner
- Benefit from the companionship and enjoyment of having a dog in your life without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
- Meet like-minded people
- Can develop your knowledge of puppy development and training.
‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs.’
What is involved
- Commitment to providing a loving home, care, and training for a dog for the duration of their time in training.
- We consider this a full-time role as you, or another approved adult member of the household, will be required to care for the dog for much of the day and overnight.
- Our trainers need access to the dogs during weekdays for training purposes. We ask that you commute to and from our training centre when required to drop off/collect the dog. Drop off and collection times are between 7.30 - 9.30am and 4-6pm. We try to be as flexible as possible with the times that are best for you.
- Availability to attend pre-arranged training sessions at your home, in your local area, and at our training centre.
- Attend an Introduction session before we coordinate a dog into your care
- With our guidance, and using positive training methods, to continue the training of the dog in various areas. For example:
- Home behaviour
- Social behaviour
- Behaviour around other animals
- Walking on a lead
- Off lead exercise
- Maintaining the dog’s health and welfare and, via support and training, to recognise behaviour/health concerns and report them immediately to the dog’s trainer.
What we require from you
- You live within a 30-minute drive of our training centre (post code LE12 9SR)
- That you, as the dog's main carer, are over 18 years of age
- You have a dog friendly secure garden
- Though desirable, prior dog ownership is not required.
- All members of the household are keen to foster.
- There is no more than one pet dog living in your home. The pet dog must be over 12 months of age and would need to undergo our pet dog suitability assessment
- Have the time and ability to commit to the training and care of a young dog. This is a physical role
- Have access to a suitable vehicle to transport the dog
- That you or other approved adult member of the household are at home most of the day, and overnight, to care for the dog
- Attend two training sessions each year
- Understand that the dog in your care remains under the ownership of Canine Partners
Support and Training
- Induction process which includes telephone assessment and home visit
- On-going Instruction and support from our dog trainers. This will be in person, via video link, phone calls, handouts etc.
- Holiday cover and appointments cover can be arranged.
- Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a training session with a Canine Partner representative
- Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
- Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We will change the lives of disabled people using expertly trained dogs to improve physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.