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Cat Fosterer (South West London/Surrey area)

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Overview of opportunity

As a cat foster, you would be supporting the RSPCA in providing our cats with the safety of your home whilst rending to their welfare needs such as feeding and grooming. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything’s in place, the branch will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food and veterinary care for your fostered cat. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed, reasonable expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA has been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering. Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day.

Our Branch

We are just one of over 150 branches of RSPCA, we are also a separately registered charity to the National RSPCA and raise our own money locally to fund our animal welfare work to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and rescue, rehabilitate & rehome animals in need in our branch area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches like us, which is run by a committee of volunteers.

Role Responsibilities

  • Provide the cat(s) with care, suitable housing and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines that would be provided to you.
  • Feed, water, groom and interact with them in line with our advice.
  • Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required (and if feasible).
  • Provide them with your time and patience.
  • Help us spread the word about the cats in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
  • Playing and cuddling are a must if the cat wants them! We often have very nervous and undersocialised cats in our care, who will just want a quiet space and someone to give them time to come out when they’re ready.

What we are looking for

  • You will need to be over 18 years of age and have had experience caring for cats.
  • Fostering experience is beneficial but is not essential as support and training are provided.
  • For the well-being, our cats need to be kept in a separate room to being with, so the whole family needs to be on board.
  • They will also need to be kept indoors - we do not allow fosterers to let foster cats outside (except in very special circumstances and with prior discussion with our welfare team).
  • Any existing pets or animals need to have been neutered and they should be up to date with regular flea/worm treatment. If you have existing pets you will need to ensure they are cat friendly and there will not be a risk of the foster cat escaping outside.

What we can offer you

Support will be provided throughout your time with us, you’ll also benefit from;

  • We have a Facebook foster group we invite fosterers to join so you can share your fostering experience and get support from others.
  • An induction and training programme relevant to your role, you’ll learn a lot about cats and cat care.
  • The opportunity to make a huge difference to the welfare of animals.
  • This is the perfect opportunity for someone who loves cats but isn’t currently in a position to have one permanently.

Please note that our foster cats do have different needs to an owned cat, whilst some are ready for rehoming, others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure we match you with your perfect foster cat so both parties can have a positive experience.

If you would like to know more about fostering our cats and review our fostering process, please contact us at admin@rspcawimbledonandsutton.org.uk or complete our online application form.

Please note this is a volunteering role available with RSPCA Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Sutton District branch registered charity number 210637, not National RSPCA registered charity number 219099 which is a separate charity.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees and depending on the position you may be required to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.