Cat Fosterer (Canterbury Animal Centre and Fosterers Home)

Overview of the opportunity

As an animal fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA Canterbury and District Animal Centre (CADAC) in providing either our cats with the safety of your home whilst tending 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 their wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

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

Whilst our cats are in your foster care, you will:

• Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
• Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
• Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
• General cleaning e.g., cleaning dedicated room, litter trays, bowls etc.
• Controlled interactions.
• Filling out observation sheets.
• Speaking to potential adopters.
• Dropping off animals to new homes.
• Consistent communication with the team at CADAC.
• Applying Medication.
• Handling e.g., placing in Carriers.
• Behaviour assessments.
• Gathering and sharing video and photo evidence.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Fosterer

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for animals.
• Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
• An understanding of animal welfare and experience of handling animals would be ideal.
• Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• Ability to cope with physical and emotional aspects of the role.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Fosterer

• We will provide you with a comprehensive fosterer training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support from the animal welfare team (staff and volunteers) at our Canterbury & District Animal Centre.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• Access to the latest cat fostering training and continual development through mentorship from our knowledgeable team.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a volunteer fosterer, you will need to be aged 18 or
• over and own your own home or have written permission from your landlord to have
• cats stay in your home.
• It is essential for you to drive and have access to a vehicle in order to help transport cats in your care. However, we can/will be flexible on this.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• All equipment to set up your home as a foster home will be provided.
• Volunteers must sign a volunteer code of conduct and attend compulsory fosterer
• and health and safety training.
• References will also be required.

It is worth mentioning that our animals do have different needs as 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 that we match you with your perfect foster animal.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! For more information and to apply, please contact 01227 719 113 or fostering@rspca-canterbury.org.uk.