CAT 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.
Cat fostering role profile
Volunteer Role: Cat Fosterer
Volunteer Manager: Volunteer Cat Coordinator
Where you will be based: At your home, South Buckinghamshire
What you will be doing
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Providing care and suitable housing in a safe environment for cats while they are in foster care, in accordance with our policies and guidelines.
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Offering a separate room to keep the cat/s in and separate from your own animals.
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Some cats may have had surgery and will need a period of cage rest. This will be provided.
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Feeding, watering, providing enrichment, socialising and grooming cats (as appropriate).
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Liaising with the Cat Coordinator regularly. For cats ready for rehoming, sharing photos and videos to enable them to be put up for adoption.
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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.
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Transporting your foster cat for vet appointments.
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Allowing a potential adopter to enter your home to view a cat up for adoption after they have been assessed by the Cat Coordinator, a volunteer can support you in this.
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Completing the local branch paperwork relating to the cats in your care.
What we’re looking for
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Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.
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Ideally you will be living within a 30-minute drive of High Wycombe, for logistical reasons.
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Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial, and experience caring for cats is essential.
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If you have existing cats, they must be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
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If in rented accommodation, permission from the landlord must be obtained.
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Your family/household must be fully supportive (and checked/confirmed that there are no cat allergies within the household).
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All members of the household should discuss with their GP whether a tetanus vaccination is required, and make a decision based on this.
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Due to the length of time it can take to find a forever home for cats, we ask that you commit to fostering for a minimum of six months.
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All volunteers must complete an online induction, you will need basic IT skills and access to a PC or laptop.
Why volunteer with us?
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Meet like-minded people and get to know more about the work of the RSPCA South Bucks Branch.
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Regular contact with your Cat Coordinator to support you and support from our local and national teams.
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Add an important animal welfare role to your CV.
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Learn new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
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You’ll be making a huge difference to the welfare of animals.
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We provide all the food, litter, medication and equipment needed to foster cats in our Branch. Any additional expenses must be approved by the Finance Manager before they are incurred.
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.