Role: Dog Walker
Overall purpose of the role:
To assist the staff in ensuring that the dogs get the exercise they need as well as the socialisation required for successful rehoming. You will play a vital role in helping to exercise the dogs and in spending quality time with them away from the stressful kennel environment.
What you’ll be doing:
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Taking our dogs out for quality walks, on the lead
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Spending time with the dogs in the secure paddocks on site
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Managing a variety of dogs of different breeds, sizes and age
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Cleaning up and disposing of dog waste during your exercise session
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Using animal care’s IT system to access and record information about the dogs (training will be provided)
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Following animal care’s health and safety guidelines and reporting any incidents or concerns to staff
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Following the specific instructions that are provided for each dog
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Providing valuable feedback to staff about the dogs’ behaviour and progress, where appropriate
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Seeking clarification from staff where you are unsure and asking for help when needed
What you’ll need:
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Experience of dogs and a genuine interest in their welfare
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Basic knowledge of dog behaviours and how to read these
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Confidence and ability to safely exercise the dogs, some of whom may have behavioural issues and/or be nervous and sensitive
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Physical ability to exercise and manage the dogs, some of whom will be boisterous and strong and others who will have had little lead training
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Willingness to walk dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes, in all weather conditions
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Due to the nature of some of our dogs you must be able and willing to take direction and follow the instructions provided by the staff
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It is also imperative, for our animals and your own safety, that you are able to understand the written guidance provided
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You must have the confidence and willingness to approach staff with any questions, clarifications or concerns
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Basic IT skills will be required to operate animal care’s information system
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A patient, calm and understanding nature is essential when dealing with our animals
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A positive and friendly attitude is important when dealing with our staff and fellow volunteers
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You must be able to carry out the role with minimal supervision
Role: Cat Cuddler
Overall purpose of the role:
The overall purpose of the role is to support the staff in providing the best possible care to our cats whilst they await their forever home. By spending time with our cats, you will not only provide them with the love and attention they deserve but you will play a vital role in developing their socialisation, which can aid successful rehoming.
What you’ll be doing:
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Spending time with our cats, helping them to get used to people and enhancing their socialisation
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Stroking, grooming and playing with the cats, providing them with the attention they need
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Following the guidance that is provided for each cat; much of this is written
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Providing valuable feedback to staff about the cats’ behaviour and progress, where appropriate
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Seeking clarification from staff where you are unsure and asking for help when needed
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Following animal care’s health and safety guidelines and reporting any incidents or concerns to staff
What you’ll need:
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Experience of cats and a genuine interest in their welfare
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Confidence and ability to safely handle the cats, many of whom will be nervous and sensitive
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Ability to manage the physical requirements of the role
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Ability to comprehend and follow the instructions provided by the staff, many of which will be written
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Confidence and willingness to approach staff with any questions, clarifications or concerns
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Basic IT skills will be required to operate animal care’s information system
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A patient, calm and understanding nature is essential when dealing with our animals
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A positive and friendly attitude is important when dealing with our staff and fellow volunteers
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You must be able to carry out the role with minimal supervision
Application process
Our application process couldn’t be simpler:
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Find the role you are interested in
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Complete the application form online
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Successful applicants will be invited to attend a group recruitment and information session, or interview, where prospective volunteers can learn more about the role and the volunteering team can learn more about the applicants.
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Applicants who are successful at interview or group recruitment will then attend an induction session.
General notes:
Volunteering roles are subject to group recruitment/interview, a satisfactory reference and completion of induction.
A reference must be provided with the application. This could be from a current or ex employer, a teacher/ lecturer, a person of good standing in the community or a longstanding friend who can attest to your good character and suitability to the role. Unfortunately, it cannot be from a family member.
Applications without a reference will not be taken forward
We have lots of people who want to volunteer with us, so we ask that you think carefully about whether you have the necessary skills and attributes, as set out in the role description, and whether you have the time to commit.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept volunteers who are under the age of 18 due to our insurance policy. We are, however, able to accommodate some children with adult supervision though the busyness of the site and the number of applications we receive means that we do have to limit these. It is therefore not unusual to find that we have a waiting list for these spaces. As a small and busy team, we are unfortunately unable to support individuals who require supervision or care. We do however keep some spaces for individuals to attend with a carer, though the number of applicants we get for these spaces also often results in a waiting list.
Finally, working with our animals is by far our most popular roles. As well as managing the number of applications we receive, we need to allow new volunteers the time to conduct inductions and the staff the time to help them to settle in. There will therefore be times when we have to operate a waiting list and during very busy periods we may have to place a halt on applications.
