Cat Fosterer in the Newbury & Thatcham areas
We’re looking for cat-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the wellbeing of the cats in our care whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their purrfect forever home?
While we are initially looking for fosterers in the Newbury & Thatcham areas, we would also be interested in hearing from people in and around Swindon.
The RSPCA North Wiltshire & Newbury District Branch (RSPCA Oak & Furrows)
RSPCA Oak & Furrows is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of the RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which are run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.
RSPCA Oak & Furrows currently runs a successful Wildlife Rescue Centre as well as providing welfare funding for domestic animals in need. The branch is now expanding its welfare activity to start a fostering network for cats and kittens in need within the Newbury & Thatcham areas. There are plans to expand this into North Wiltshire (Swindon) at a later date.
Overview of the opportunity
As a cat fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA in providing 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 a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.
Once everything is in place, the RSPCA Oak & Furrows 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 Oak & Furrows Branch 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.
- 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 cuddles are also a must!
What we are looking for in a volunteer Cat Fosterer
- Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had some experience caring for cats.
- Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
- For their wellbeing, our cats need to be kept in a separate room, so the whole family should be on board.
- Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case) and vaccinated, flea and worm treated as appropriate to the animal.
What we can offer you as a volunteer Cat Fosterer
- You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in your care.
- Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
- Learning new skills
- Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
It is worth mentioning that our cats 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 cat.
If you would like to know more about fostering our cats and review our fostering process, please click here.
We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! For more information and to apply, please contact Victoria Robson at fostering@rspcaoandf.org.uk
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 need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.