Volunteer Fosterer

A bit about this role

Across the UK many of our feline friends are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose built pens in their gardens. They provide vital hands on care and accommodation to stray, abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need.

Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats which have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round the clock care to new-borns with tummies to fill and lots to learn. No matter what type of cats they have in care our fosterers provide the best start to the next stage of their lives.

What can you expect to be doing? 
 

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care

• Maintaining minimum veterinary and cat care standards

• Cleaning and looking after the cats environment and equipment

• Feeding, grooming and administering medication (such as flea and worm treatments)

• Spending time enriching the cats experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking

• Introducing the cat to prospective adopters

   

A bit more information about this role and the team

Roles needed across the whole of Northern Ireland at our Armagh, Downpatrick, Coleraine, Erne, Greater Belfast and Foyle branches.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with
 

• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs

• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards

• Good interpersonal skills

• Patience, commitment and empathy

• Willingness to be part of a team

Time expectation 
 

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend 3 to 5 hours per day in this role, but this might vary depending on the number and age of the cats or kittens in care.

Additional Information

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. To make sure this is the case, we provide support and guidance both remotely from our National Cat Centre and face to face through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We also offer varied online and face to face training and have wide-ranging policies covering all aspects of volunteering. We hope the support we provide will ensure our volunteers have a great experience with Cats Protection.