Animal Volunteer Roles

Exciting Volunteer Opportunity to Lead a Passionate Team of Volunteers at Cats Protection in Horsham!

Are you a natural leader with a passion for both people and cats? Cats Protection in Horsham is looking for a dynamic and motivated Branch Team Leader to join their incredible team of volunteers! This diverse and rewarding role will see you supporting your volunteers, guiding them in their roles, and ensuring they feel confident, valued, and part of a close-knit, dedicated team.

If you’re someone who thrives in a leadership position, loves working with people, and is ready to make a real difference in the lives of both cats and volunteers, we want to hear from you. We're seeking a compassionate, people-focused individual who has the time and energy to make sure everything runs smoothly, while fostering a positive and welcoming environment for all involved.

Above all, you’ll need to have a love for cats and an understanding of their welfare – because when you’re working with Cats Protection, every paw matters!

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups and teams, all of which help our feline friends in a different ways. They take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our volunteer treasurers maintain the finances of local groups and teams, ensuring they hold the funds needed to continue their vital work. Cats Protection relies solely on donations from generous members of the public, and our volunteer treasurers help make sure these funds are spent in the most effective way.  

What can you expect to be doing?

• Preparing budgets
• Keeping accurate financial records
• Reporting financial records via ‘Cashlog’ (Cats Protection supplied software)
• Paying invoices and volunteer expenses
• Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure
• Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds
• Managing and monitoring donations made to the group
• Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by overseeing the finances of a local volunteer groups or team. You will meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Experience or knowledge of accounting, book keeping and/or good numeracy skills
• The ability to collect and present information clearly and logically
• Good communication skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to use own initiative  
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our current volunteer treasurers usually spend between 2 to 4 hours per week in this role. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year but support is always available. 

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

We already have a fantastic group of volunteers, helping in our charity shops, fundraising, fostering animals in our care and undertaking vital home assessments of potential animal adopters.  We want to grow this group and deepen our engagement with them.  If you have volunteer management experience, we would love to hear from you.

In April 2024, our branch expanded, encompassing our existing area of Lincoln, Gainsborough, Wragby, Witham St Hughs, Woodhall Spa and Horncastle and gaining new geographical areas including Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Louth and Mablethorpe. Our volunteer base is crucial to support our re-homing, run our charity shops and fundraising activities efficiently and we now have ambitious plans for our expanded area to ensure more mistreated animals can find their forever homes.

About us:

RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, NE & Lincoln Branch rehabilitates and re-homes animals rescued by the RSPCA's national Inspectors. We also promote responsible pet ownership and hold animal action days such as for microchipping.

We currently run three charity shops and regular fundraising events, to support more than 100 animals escape cruelty and neglect, to find their forever home each year.

What you can bring to our board:

The Trustees make extremely important decisions for the branch, for example deciding on how to raise income for the branch, as well as meeting in sub-groups to consider important subject matters with recommendations being made to the full board of trustees.  Our branch is an extremely passionate branch with eleven trustees currently forming the committee.

We are looking for someone willing to bring their volunteer management experience to our board. We want to ensure we are communicating well with our volunteers and maximising opportunities for them to bring their skills and expertise to our branch activities through targeted engagement.  You will support our decisions around communications and events, volunteer activity planning, volunteer recruitment, training and performance management, and much more. 

You will live and/or work in our branch area in Lincolnshire, UK, to bring local insight to our branch decisions.

We meet monthly as a board, with most of these online but we like to also meet at least 3 times each year in-person, as well as support local fundraising events. 

If you would like an informal chat about the opportunity, please contact the Chair, Sophie Easteal.

Branch Secretary

RSPCA Macclesfield, South East Cheshire & Buxton

Would you get a buzz from being part of a team of volunteers dedicated to helping animals in need, working mainly from home at a time that suits you?

Key Responsibilities:

• To act as principal communications trustee managing and maintaining the administrative affairs of the branch.
• To act as main contact point for all branch communications with the national Society, the  branch committee and the branch membership.
• Order and distribute RSPCA stationary, leaflets, posters and other fundraising and promotional material.
•  Arrange branch meetings, usually 11 per year, there is no meeting in December, meetings generally last about 2 hours and are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
• Ensure all branch committee decisions are implemented and actions completed.
• Arrange the branch AGM Including the compilation and distribution of the annual report, nominations and agenda in line with the strict timetable laid down in the branch rules.
• Arrange the timely dissemination of the contents of all correspondence and literature received by the branch, ensuring availability to all committee members, and reply to all  branch correspondence where necessary.
• Liaise with the Branch Support Specialist and group chief inspector and notify them of all  branch meetings.
• Monitor the secretary email address, issue the newsletters, issue any one off appeals.
• Training is available.

Sometimes of the year are much busier than others. For example, April when the Annual Report needs to be done, May when all the calling notices for the AGM need to be sent out and in June when everything needs to be prepared ready for the AGM. Working from home with occasional visits to team meetings in Macclesfield, preferably local to the areas the branch covers.

Applicants will need to be able to prioritise/organise a workload, being tactful but clear, have basic computer skills, understanding confidentiality and working independently whilst keeping everyone informed and accept the ethos of the RSPCA.

We will work with all relevant regulatory bodies, including Local Authorities, the Charity Commission and other local and national bodies to ensure that safeguarding arrangements are robust, current and fit for purpose. The branch will cooperate with all inspection and scrutiny of its safeguarding arrangements as appropriate.

All those who work or volunteer for or with the branch will be given access to this policy.    

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch. 

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have over 250 branches across the UK, all of which help our feline friends in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and staff, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by supporting other volunteers in their roles. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong interpersonal, leadership and people management skills
• Experience of promoting a positive team environment
• Confidence and experience of ensuring policies, procedures and processes are met
• Excellent communication skills with individuals and groups at all levels
• Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and delegate
• Ability to think and plan ahead
• Patience and diplomacy
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our branch team leader volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are always available.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have over 250 branches across the UK, all of which help our feline friends in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and staff, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by supporting other volunteers in their roles. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong interpersonal, leadership and people management skills
• Experience of promoting a positive team environment
• Confidence and experience of ensuring policies, procedures and processes are met
• Excellent communication skills with individuals and groups at all levels
• Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and delegate
• Ability to think and plan ahead
• Patience and diplomacy
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our branch team leader volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are always available.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups and teams, all of which help our feline friends in a different ways. They take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our volunteer treasurers maintain the finances of local groups and teams, ensuring they hold the funds needed to continue their vital work. Cats Protection relies solely on donations from generous members of the public, and our volunteer treasurers help make sure these funds are spent in the most effective way.  

What can you expect to be doing?

• Preparing budgets
• Keeping accurate financial records
• Reporting financial records via ‘Cashlog’ (Cats Protection supplied software)
• Paying invoices and volunteer expenses
• Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure
• Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds
• Managing and monitoring donations made to the group
• Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by overseeing the finances of a local volunteer groups or team. You will meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Experience or knowledge of accounting, book keeping and/or good numeracy skills
• The ability to collect and present information clearly and logically
• Good communication skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to use own initiative  
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our current volunteer treasurers usually spend between 2 to 4 hours per week in this role. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year but support is always available. 

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

We are a small team looking for people to dedicate time supporting animals in need. You will have lots of opportunity to shape process and define goals.

As a Volunteer Coordinator, you would be the central point of contact for current and potential volunteers and would play a vital role in their recruitment and placement. Alongside fellow coordinators, you would help manage and motivate the team of volunteers and ensure that they were placed in the best volunteer role available so that we can help as many animals as possible. We have a cattery, three charity shops and a large number of individual fosterers

Volunteer Branch Volunteer Coordinator responsibilities

• Welcoming new volunteers to the branch.
• Keeping an up to date list of volunteering opportunities within the branch.
• Working with the Cattery Manager, the rehoming coordinator, the fundraising coordinator and trustees to arrange the recruitment and placement of volunteers.
• Matching what volunteers would like to do to help the centre with the Branch’s need for volunteer help.

What we are looking for in a Branch Volunteer Coordinator

• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Experience of recruitment, managing volunteers or motivating teams would be useful, but not essential.
• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Volunteer Coordinator

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your local area.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

As a volunteer Social Media Coordinator, you would play a massive part in ensuring that our branches activities are promoted online whilst creating a positive public profile on social media. You would play a significant role in gaining more awareness and support for animal welfare and helping us come to the aid of more animals in need.

This position will be part of a team of three people, all looking to work together to support the charity aims. We mainly work with cats and small animals although we also do sometimes have dogs. We have a cattery, 3 charity shops and many fosterers.

Volunteer Social Media Coordinator responsibilities

• Maintaining the branch’s Facebook and other social media sites.
• Ensuring activities are updated regularly to maintain the branch’s profile and attract more support.
• Pro-actively seeking engaging content that shows the branch in a positive light.
• Responding appropriately to online comments and feedback.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Social Media Coordinator

• Experience of using social media and awareness of its potential as well as its dangers.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• An interest in animal welfare.
• Reliability and can offer an ongoing commitment on days and times to suit you.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Social Media Coordinator

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your local area and attracting more support.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

Alongside the RSPCA National website, each Branch has its own website which they run independently. In this volunteer post, you will play a vital role, as you would be responsible for updating and maintaining our website and helping to promote the activities of the branch/centre to attract more support.

Volunteer Website Coordinator responsibilities

• Liaise with volunteers, trustees, and staff to generate appropriate information on the animals for rehoming, events, campaigns etc.
• Use the information to generate and update content for our website.
• Promote key animal welfare initiatives such as neutering or microchipping on the website.
• Liaise with key staff, including the Branch Support Specialist and Regional press officer for advice and guidance.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Website Coordinator

• Experience of using content management systems for website updates.
• Excellent written communication and IT skills.
• An interest in animal welfare.
• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Website Coordinator

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

As a Volunteer Administration Assistant, you would provide administrative support to the rehoming team to support the animal adoption process. This is a varied role that enables you to learn all about the rehabilitation and rehoming of animals and the lovely people who choose to adopt from the RSPCA. We need help to keep everything running smoothly. Full training will be provided but you must be able to type at a reasonable speed and use computers.

This role is important to the smooth running of our branch, can be completed remotely from home at times to suit your schedule and you have the opportunity of interacting with our teams at the charity shops.

Volunteer Administration Assistant responsibilities

• Completion of adoption paperwork.
• Updating and maintaining the Animal Shelter Manager database.
• Follow up contact with adopters post-adoption
• Making up adoption/foster packs.
• Manually filing and archiving animal records.

What we are looking for in a Volunteer Administration Assistant

• Good written and verbal communication and organisational skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Computer literation and ideally has experience with databases and data input.
• Attention to detail.
• Comfortable with animals.
• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.

What we can offer you as a Volunteer Administration Assistant

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your local area.
• Join a community that will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

A bit about this role

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. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped. 

What can you expect to be doing?

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers

• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation

• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes

• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively

• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan

• Sign-posting queries from members of the public

• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens by helping maintain positive communications, managing administration processes and promoting the work of Cats Protection. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong administration skills and attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Good organisation and prioritisation skills
• Good team-working skills
• Good IT skills to use Cats Protection systems – training and support can be provided
• A willingness to learn how the branch and organisation operates
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have over 250 branches across the UK, all of which help our feline friends in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and staff, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by supporting other volunteers in their roles. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong interpersonal, leadership and people management skills
• Experience of promoting a positive team environment
• Confidence and experience of ensuring policies, procedures and processes are met
• Excellent communication skills with individuals and groups at all levels
• Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and delegate
• Ability to think and plan ahead
• Patience and diplomacy
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+