Volunteer Cat Fosterer (Newport & Cardiff – RSPCA)

Where you will be based - Home

Why we want you

We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion.

Our fosterers play a vital role by providing a temporary home for animals that are in the care of the RSPCA, either during rehabilitation or whilst they are waiting for a suitable permanent home to be found.

You could be fostering an animal for just a few weeks, or it could be a longer-term placement for several months or more.

What you will be doing

• Providing care and suitable housing in a safe environment for cats while they are in foster care in accordance with Society policies and guidelines
• Feeding, watering, providing enrichment and grooming cats (as appropriate)
• Keeping accurate records of expenditure on fostered animals, via receipts and completed expense forms
• Completing records/daily observations in relation to behaviour and health and liaising with your Foster Coordinator when needed
• For cats ready for rehoming: raising awareness about animals in your care with the hope of rehoming them (including sharing images and videos with your local contact/team)
• For cats' subject to an RSPCA case: using discretion (where needed) if the animal has specific needs or reasons for being in your care
• Offering a separate room to keep the cat/s in and your family/household must be fully supportive (and checked/confirmed that there are no cat allergies within the household)
• Transporting your foster cat for appointments, vet consultations, etc
• RSPCA will provide and fund all necessary equipment, food and veterinary care
• Ongoing help and support throughout the fostering process
• Be able to transport the cat/kittens to vet appointments and the RSPCA establishment as required.
• Have time to spend with them or be around them.
• A spare room/space at home for fostering a cat is ideal, although not essential (they will not be allowed outside of your home environment, so will need a specific space)
• Have lots of love, time and patience to give the animal whilst they are with you.

The skills you need

• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over
• Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial, and experience caring for cats is essential
• If you have existing cats, it is preferred that they be spayed/neutered and vaccinated but this can be discussed on a case by case basis
• If in rented accommodation, permission from the landlord must be obtained

What's in it for you

• Meet like-minded people and get to know more about the work of the RSPCA
• A great induction and training relevant to your role
• Support from our local and national teams
• You'll be making a huge difference to the welfare of animals

Disclaimer

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and introductory period. Before you can start volunteering you'll need to complete our suite of eLearn training including a simple online Health & Safety assessment For more information please visit www.rspca.org.uk/volunteer

As a cat fosterer you will play a vital role in looking after the cats in our care until their case is resolved or they find a new home. You'll be providing all the daily care for cats/kittens in your own home, ensuring a safe environment that will cater for their individual (sometimes complex) needs. RSPCA staff will match cats/kittens with foster homes, and will give you all the information and support that you need for each fostered animal. The time commitment for each foster placement can vary from a couple of weeks to many months, with support provided to accommodate holidays and emergencies.

This is a great opportunity to make a real difference to the welfare of cats and kittens in our care.