SMALL ANIMAL FOSTERING
At RSPCA South Bucks it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteer Fosterers are incredible, they play an essential role helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day, and enabling animals to be rehomed.
Our Fosterers provide a calm, safe and loving temporary home for animals that are in our care, whilst they are waiting for a suitable permanent home to be found. We provide all the necessary guidance, equipment, food and veterinary care.
As an animal Fosterer, you could be fostering an animal for just a few weeks, or it could be a longer term placement for several months and in a few cases it can be longer.
Small animal fostering role profile
Volunteer Role: Small Animal Fosterer
Volunteer Manager: Volunteer Small Animal Coordinator
Where you will be based: At your home, South Buckinghamshire
What you will be doing
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Providing the appropriate care and safe, suitable housing, as outlined in our policies and guidelines.
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Feeding, watering, providing enrichment, grooming (if appropriate), socialising.
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Liaising with your Small Animal Coordinator regularly. Providing regular updates on the animal’s progress and photos and information for their adoption listings.
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Taking to the vet (when required).
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Meeting potential adopters (with Small Animal Coordinator where appropriate) and introduce them to the animal.
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Completing the local branch paperwork relating to the cats in your care.
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If the animal has specific needs you will be supported by your local team of fosterers to enable you to provide the care needed.
What we’re looking for
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Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had experience caring for animals.
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Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
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Ideally you will be living within a 30-minute drive of High Wycombe, for logistical reasons.
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Suitable outdoor or indoor space for animal housing of rabbits and guinea pigs (provided).
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Any existing pets or animals may need to have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated (depending on species).
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All volunteers complete an online induction, you will need basic IT skills and access to a PC or laptop.
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Due to the length of time it can take to find a forever home for animals, we ask that you commit to fostering for a minimum of 12 months.
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If in rented accommodation, permission from the landlord must be obtained.
Why volunteer with us
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You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the small animals in your care.
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Join a friendly community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
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Learn new skills through our comprehensive training and support programme.
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Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
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All equipment is provided and reasonable expenses can be reimbursed with prior agreement.
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Regular contact with your Small Animal Coordinator and other Fosterers to support you.
Disclaimer
Our voluntary roles are subject to:
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An informal interview and trial period.
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Submission of two referees’ contact details.
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Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.
How to apply
If you are interested in this role, we would love to hear from you.
Make sure to include details of your experience of caring for animals.
Join us and help make a huge difference to the lives of animals in need.