Cat Rehoming Assistant (Maidenhead)

Are you passionate about animal welfare? We have a great opportunity for a Rehoming Assistant volunteer who will help support our Rehoming Coordinator in finding loving and caring homes for animals in our care. This is such a rewarding role as you can directly impact the lives of the animals and improve their welfare.

Overview of opportunity

As the Rehoming Assistant you would play a vital role in the process of finding homes for animals that are in the care of the East Berkshire branch. You will report to the Rehoming Coordinator and work closely with RSPCA inspectors, Branch Support Staff, local kennels and vets. You will also help support our network of home checkers and fosterers and that records of rehoming activities are kept. As our Branch covers a specific area you would need to be based around the Maidenhead, Bracknell or Wokingham area, and you must be able to drive.

Our branch currently only rehomes cats but we would ideally like to have volunteers with experience with dogs and other animals to broaden our services.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity. 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.

We seek to raise standards of care through our numerous campaigns 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!

The RSPCA East Berkshire Branch

The East Berkshire Branch 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 RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is to support the welfare and rehoming of cats.

Cat Rehoming Assistant responsibilities

• Supporting the Rehoming Coordinator with rehoming activities for the branch
• Follow RSPCA guidelines for rehoming and stay current with changing requirements
• Helping to review initial requests for animal adoptions to assess for potential suitability
• Being aware of the needs and requirements of the animals so that potential adopters are assessed by the home checkers accordingly.
• Provide back-up / holiday cover for the branch Rehoming mobile phone line
• Work with our marketing, media and cat cuddling volunteers to ensure all animals are appropriately advertised on our social media pages and website
• Checking and registering microchips for animals in our care
• Maintaining good relationships with kennel/cattery facilities
• Help monitor and respond to emails into the branch regarding rehoming of animals, and responding in a timely manner
• Help to maintain an accurate record of all rehoming activities
• Help to complete the annual SAWA report
• Help to coordinate vet runs using the network of branch volunteers
• Help conduct appropriate induction sessions of new volunteers (cat cuddlers, vet run volunteers etc.)
• Provide help with conducting animal viewings for potential adopters

What we are looking for in a Cat Rehoming Assistant

• Be kind and compassionate.
• Team working skills
• Passion for animals and improving their welfare
• Strong experience of animal ownership and care, especially cats
• Organisational and motivational skills essential
• Strong communication skills essential
• Experience of animal rescue rehoming processes desirable
• Must be able and willing to drive across our branch area
• Must be comfortable with paperwork and adhering to procedures
• Aged 18 or over (for insurance purposes at our facilities)
• Knowledge of adhering to GDPR requirements
• MS Office knowledge essential (Word and Excel)
• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment.
• Someone who is happy to undertake appropriate training when and as required e.g. Health and Safety.
• Volunteering hours: Expected to be a part-time volunteering opportunity, ideally 3 days a week (which can be 3 full days, or 4/5 days of shorter duration). The hours are very flexible and can fit around you and other commitments. Alternatively, the role could be shared between 2 volunteers as a job share.
• Travel: The role requires the individual to travel across the Berkshire area, for which expenses can be claimed.

What we can offer you as a Cat Rehoming Assistant

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of cats in your local area.
• Join a community that will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! For more information and to apply for an application form, please contact Emma at volunteer@rspca-eastberkshire.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 dependant on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.