VOLUNTEERING
We simply cannot run without our volunteers. They perform all sorts of tasks, such as fostering animals in their own homes, posting updates on social media, responding to queries from the public, raising much needed funds, educating school children about animal welfare, and selling items in our charity shops, which raises money for our work.
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Many of our volunteers have been with us for a long while, but we are always looking for more (over 18). If you would be interested in giving some of your time to help animals in need, please contact us. Tell us what skills you can offer and we’ll find a role for you!​
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Volunteering can also gain you new skills, which you may later be able to use in paid employment. Visit the National RSPCA site for more information.
Animal fostering
​​At RSPCA South Bucks, we rehabilitate and rehome animals brought into our charity through our network of volunteer animal fosterers.
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Becoming a fosterer is a wonderful way of getting involved with the work we do at the branch. Having more fosterers enables us to help more animals, and gives us the best chance of matching our animals to the perfect permanent home. We are always looking for local people willing to open their homes to a cat, rabbit or other small animal looking for a fresh start.
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When you foster an RSPCA animal, you will be responsible for the day-to-day husbandry needs as if they were your own. However, they will remain the responsibility of the branch until a permanent home has been found for them. The branch will provide the equipment you need and cover all animal expenses. Being a fostering volunteer for the branch does require some emotional resilience, as when the time comes, the animals will head off to their new homes. Rest assured though, there will be more that need help, so you won’t need to be without an animal for long!
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Fostering volunteers really are invaluable to us as a branch so if you are interested please get in touch.​​​​​​​​
Working in our charity shops
Our charity shops are located in Burnham and Chesham. They form a vital part of our fundraising. We receive a large number of donations from the public, including books, clothes, toys, and household goods. We are always looking for more volunteers to work in our busy stores. Please contact us if you can help.​ To see our shop locations, got to our Shops section.
Trustees
At RSPCA South Bucks, our Board of trustees are volunteers who provide direction and leadership for our charity.
Trustees come from a range of backgrounds, and offer a variety of skills, such as business management, PR, IT and marketing, as well as a passion for animal welfare. They work collaboratively and make the major strategic decisions for our organisation. If this sounds like you, then you might be interested in joining our board. Get in touch for more information.
Educating the public
If you enjoy talking to small groups of adults and children about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, then you might consider becoming an education volunteer. Our team visits schools and interest groups, such as Guides, in south Buckinghamshire, and educates them about RSPCA South Bucks and our important work in the local community. If you are interested in joining our team, contact us.
Testimonials
Ever wondered what it is like to volunteer for RSPCA South Bucks? Read the volunteers’ stories below, which we hope will inspire you to join us.
Cat fosterers
"We feel so lucky to have the opportunity to nurture these lovely kitties. Everything we need to care for the kittens is provided or paid for by the RSPCA South Bucks branch, and we have the support of a lovely fostering community. There is never a dull moment! Through the highs and challenging moments, and then passing the cats on to their new families and knowing they will continue to spread their love and joy, is just amazing."
- Joanne and Fleur, mother and daughter
Cat fosterer
“I have been an animal fosterer for over 20 years. I currently foster cats and kittens, but have also fostered dogs, sheep and horses in the past. Fostering is a dedication, the reward is seeing the feral kittens that I foster becoming fully domesticated and going off to their lovely new homes. I love receiving photos from their new owners, showing how well they are doing in their forever homes.”
- Julie
Cat fosterer
“I have been fostering for over eight years now. It's so rewarding to see the cats and kittens (especially those from awful situations) going to their new homes. When they first arrive, they are confused, scared and so untrusting. Knowing when they leave me, I have played a part in them becoming confident and loving, affectionate, playful and no longer frightened, and helping them have a second chance at the life they deserve, makes the difficult times of getting them to that point all worthwhile.”
- Emily
Rabbit fosterer
“I’ve always adopted rabbits from RSPCA South Bucks, and when my old bunnies passed away four years ago, I decided to foster rabbits instead. I thought I could help more animals by fostering, and I find it very rewarding. One of the many satisfactions that come from fostering is the feeling that I am learning something with every bunny that comes my way. They all have different personalities and if I get to know them well, it helps prepare them for their forever homes. The RSPCA South Bucks team are very supportive and I always have advice on hand if I need it.
Some of my favourite memories have been of very shy bunnies. When Chloe came to me, she was timid and always hid. I started just sitting near her. After two weeks she began to come over to me. Soon after that she started to take food from my hand. It was wonderful, as I felt that I might be the first person that she had ever trusted.
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When a mother and son came to view her, I asked them to just sit still next to her and the magic happened. Chloe came to smell them, she accepted food from them, and I saw them fall in love with her instantly.
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A week later Chloe was adopted. Her new family was experienced and they were true rabbit lovers. They sent me pictures of Chloe living alongside their male rabbit. Then a few weeks later, pictures of the two rabbits cuddling up together. Chloe looked so happy and content as she had at last fulfilled all of her rabbit needs. I felt quite proud to have helped her on her journey to a new life.
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People often ask me if it is difficult to let a foster rabbit go. Fortunately, it is made easier as we know that our rabbits are going to caring homes. When one rabbit is rehomed, I am soon asked if I am ready for another, and I can’t wait to say YES."
- Jane
Cat Coordinator
“I joined RSPCA South Bucks after retiring. Cats have been a major part of my life for over 40 years, and I have never known a time when I have not had a cat. People that know me call me the cat whisperer! I currently have five cats of my own, and also foster pregnant female cats or small kittens as the need arises.
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I oversee all the cats that come into our branch, whether it is from an inspector, strays, vets, or owners no longer able to look after their pets. I place them with our fosterers, and ensure they have all the necessary vet care, love and attention they need, to enable them to go up for adoption.
When they are ready, I advertise them for adoption, vet the application forms, carry out home checks, and oversee cats going out to their forever homes.
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At times, the job is challenging, if I receive requests to take in cats and have no spaces. Thankfully, I work with other local cat charities and between us we can normally help. People ask me, how can I do the job seeing cats in distress, badly treated, or poorly? It does pull on your heart strings, but it makes me determined to find the best homes possible. There is nothing better than seeing a cat going off to its forever home, knowing it will be spoilt rotten. I can’t imagine doing any other job now. I am so lucky to work with such a supportive team. I find working in the charity sector extremely satisfying, and love being able to help cats in need and getting to meet amazing adopters.”
- Elaine
Small Animals Coordinator
“Volunteering is very rewarding, being able to make a difference to the lives of animals. I work with fosterers, vets, RSPCA inspectors, and members of the public. Much of my work involves rabbits, and we have a waiting list for rabbits in need, so I am very busy, and always looking for more volunteer fosterers.
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Each rabbit that comes in needs assessment and usually rehabilitation. We vaccinate and neuter them, so they can live healthy lives with a companion rabbit. It’s satisfying to witness the change in an animal, often from a frightened individual to one that will trust humans. Finding the right home and partner rabbit often takes a long while, but is key to a rabbit’s future happiness. When we find the right home, it is hugely fulfilling, and it enables us to help the next bunny in need.
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I have been keeping rabbits for many years, and understand how much care and space they need, so it is heart breaking to see rabbits confined to a small hutch with no stimulation or exercise, and no companionship. There is so much education needed, so I am always delighted when I can educate the public, in the hope that a few more bunnies will be saved from the suffering of not having their basic needs met.”
- Jane
RSPCA Shop Assistant
“Over 20 years ago, we had a rescue Labrador called Simon. He lived to be 16 years old, and when we lost him, I saw that an RSPCA shop had opened in Burnham village and needed volunteers. I decided to give back to an organisation that cares for vulnerable animals.
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20 years and three Labradors later, I am still enjoying being involved with the same shop. You couldn’t ask for more commitment from everyone, and working in the Burnham shop is still a pleasure with staff and customers we call our friends."
- Pat
RSPCA Shop Assistant
“I’ve worked here for about a year now and absolutely love it. Since I was a young girl, I have loved animals, and have had dogs and cats ever since I can remember. I get great job satisfaction knowing that in some small way I am helping animals who need it. The RSPCA helped me with a vet bill for one of my cats, and I feel by giving up my time to volunteer at this shop I’m paying back for the help they gave me when I needed it. The staff are all lovely to work with and I find the work rewarding. Not only do I get to meet different people and also dogs who come in for their treats, but get to know them too. Come in and visit our wonderful shop. The fur babies need us!"
- Pat
RSPCA Shop Assistant
“I love animals – all kinds of animals, big and small, fluffy and hairless, domestic or wild, and I care deeply about their welfare, which is why I volunteer at the Burnham RSPCA charity shop on Saturday afternoons. I have been at the shop for about 10 years, and I absolutely love it.
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Our shop is welcoming, inclusive, and provides a friendly environment. We are encouraged to develop our knowledge and skills, which range from sorting, pricing, and displaying the donations, to working the tills and generally keeping the shop neat and tidy. Sorting through the donations that we have been given is really fun because it is very satisfying for me to see the reduction in waste and the environmental impact by diverting items of clothing from landfill.
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We have a fantastic manager and a wonderful team, and I love interacting with the other volunteers as well as our customers. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and to make friends – human and furry!
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I am very proud to volunteer at the RSPCA shop in Burnham. It is a fun and very rewarding way to spend an afternoon. It is amazing to be contributing albeit in a small way to improving the welfare of animals. It’s a win-win situation.”
