Cat Fosterer (West Hatch, Taunton)

We are seeking fosterers within driving distance of West Hatch, Taunton, TA3 5RT for both cats and kittens. As you will be required to attend the centre for vet checks etc you will need to live within a 30-45min drive, and be willing to travel back and fore, as and when required. The RSPCA has seen an increase in animals being abandoned post covid and through the cost of living crisis, and the number of animals being reported for cruelty and neglect has also risen. Having animals in foster homes not only improves their welfare, it allows us to help even more animals by freeing up space in our Centres and Branches. Fostering is the temporary housing and care of an animal in your own home. It is an extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity, and plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of animals, before they are ready to find their new home and be permanently adopted.

Kittens with and without their mums, often need foster homes until they are weaned and old enough for permanent adoption. Some cats looking for foster homes are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation, so are in our care whilst the case progresses. With these cats we will not know how long the case will take to resolve and, occasionally, animals may have to be returned to their owner, in accordance with a court ruling.

As a cat fosterer you will play a vital role in looking after the cats in our care until their case is resolved or they find a new home. You'll be providing all the daily care for cats/kittens, ensuring a safe environment that will cater for their individual (sometimes complex) needs. RSPCA staff will match cats/kittens with foster homes, and will give you all the information and support that you need for each fostered animal. The time commitment for each foster placement can vary from a couple of weeks to many months, with support provided to accommodate holidays and emergencies.

This is a great opportunity to make a real difference to the welfare of cats and kittens.

What is required:

• Be able to transport the cat/kittens to vet appointments and the RSPCA establishment as required.
• Have time to spend with them or be around them.
• A spare room/space at home for fostering a cat is ideal, although not essential (they will not be allowed outside of your home environment, so will need a specific space)
• Have lots of love, time and patience to give the animal whilst they are with you.

We are looking for people with experience of caring for cats/kittens, and some understanding of their behaviours and welfare needs, although this is not essential - fosterers are trained and supported by RSPCA staff.

What is provided:

• RSPCA will provide and fund all necessary equipment, food and veterinary care
• Ongoing help and support throughout the fostering process

The attached booklet(s) will provide you with more information about what it is like to be an RSPCA cat fosterer.

To apply, please complete our application form which will ask you to expand on your experience and home environment. Our application process is thorough, as fostering is a very responsible but rewarding role. It may take up to 30 minutes to complete the application.

If your application is successful, you'll be asked to record and upload a short video, or take some photos of your home environment to accompany your volunteer profile. A home visit may also be required prior to and/or during your time fostering. You’ll get online access to all the necessary training for your role, and we ask you to keep this up to date. You will also receive training from the RSPCA establishment that your foster animal is from, and they will provide you with a point of contact and ongoing support, training and advice. We have a suite of wellbeing resources available and can make reasonable role adjustments to support you in your volunteering.

We celebrate and respect the diversity of our RSPCA team and embrace the individual qualities, skills and experiences that everyone brings.