Foster Volunteer -
Role Description
The Cat Welfare Group believes that every cat deserves a life filled with love, respect and appropriate care, and we work tirelessly to make this belief a reality.
We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of cats each year thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
Fostering can be challenging and requires time but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Our volunteers tell us that they enjoy being part of an amazing team and are proud of what we achieve together, making a real difference to the lives of cats in need.
Role title: Foster Volunteer
To provide a loving, safe and knowledgeable environment for cats and kittens rescued from neglect, abandonment or other adverse circumstances, where they can be given the best opportunity to recover, thrive and go on to be successfully rehomed.
Purpose:
Requirements:
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Willing to follow The Cat Welfare Group training and guidance on how to look after foster cats and kittens in care.
Willing to follow our procedures and safety advice.
Able to offer a suitable, safe and secure whole house or dedicated room foster space. (In a small number of cases approved cat pens in a volunteer’s garden may be an option).
Live within 30 minutes travel time of Fareham.
Able to dedicate appropriate time to caring for the needs of foster cats and kittens. Foster carers usually spend a minimum of one and a half hours each day with their foster animals, but this can vary depending on the number being looked after and their individual needs.
Able to interact positively and courteously with other team members and potential adopters.
Responsibilities:
Foster volunteers provide for all of the health and welfare needs of the foster cat or kittens in their care including:
Feeding and grooming.
Socialising through contact and play, enriching the cats’ experience in care.
Monitoring behaviour, body language, wellbeing and health.
Maintaining high standards of hygiene, both cleaning and sanitising the foster space.
Attending veterinary appointments where necessary.
Administering medications and keeping accurate records.
Maintaining high standards of animal welfare.
Reporting any concerns promptly to a Foster Liaison Officer.
Communicating effectively with other team members and providing medical updates, photos, videos and other information as requested.
Qualities needed:
A love of cats and the passion to help them
A willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
A caring and compassionate nature, with the emotional strength to say goodbye when its time for foster cats and kittens to move onto the next chapter in their lives.
Training:
Before looking after your first foster cat or kitten we ask that you study the TCWG Foster Handbook which contains guidance on how to care for your foster cats and kittens.
All volunteers will also have access to the online feline training modules from the Battersea Academy with whom we partner.
We are also developing our own intranet Training Library that will be available later this year.
Support:
Our online Staff Room and Foster Room will always be available to ask questions or seek advice from fellow volunteers, who are a lively and highly supportive group with a wealth of experience.
Each foster carer is also assigned a specific Foster Liaison Officer and our Director of Volunteer Engagement will provide guidance and support with all volunteering matters.
Can you help us?
Understandably, our donations have dropped dramatically during these uncertain times, while the intake of those in need has risen. We simply MUST carry on doing what we do, so how can you help us?
We are no different to any other organisation, we need regular funds in to continue our crucial work. Each kitten raised, fed, vaccinated, chipped and neutered costs us on average £250. Each stray cat caught, blood tested, vaccinated, chipped and neutered costs on average £200. These are the healthy ones!
Please see below the different ways you can donate and help us carry on our vital work.