Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: toothfairy on October 23, 2008, 23:50:49 PM

Title: volunteering...
Post by: toothfairy on October 23, 2008, 23:50:49 PM
over the past few months i have really warmed to idea of working/volunteering at a cat rescue and eventually maybe do it full time and have my own rescue centre, i think it would have to be later in life e.g morgage free so i don't then have to work to survive!

how do rescue centres feel about volunteers who just help out when they can..weekends for example-do they not want adhoc volunteers do they prefer more structured times and do i have to have any type of qualifications?

quite a few questions their, sorry!
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Ela on October 24, 2008, 08:10:35 AM
Quote
how do rescue centres feel about volunteers who just help out when they can..weekends for example-do they not want adhoc volunteers do they prefer more structured times and do i have to have any type of qualifications?

We are happy to accept help as and when people can, any help is better than no help at all. Our volunteers do not need any qualifications, just a good heart and being honest is enough. There are so many different roles that volunteers are needed for that there is always something a volunteer is capable of even if it is only making cakes.
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on October 24, 2008, 08:12:31 AM
Most rescues have volunteers that can only do weekends, so I dont think that would be a problem. Not sure about qualifications, although I wouldnt have thought so. Best thing is to contact a few local rescues - if you check CC, you might find some small independent ones that might be very grateful for the help. With smaller rescues, there are things like CC pages that you could do during the week to help out.
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Maddiesmum on October 24, 2008, 08:23:57 AM
Being volunteer co-ordinator for Manchester Dogs' Home we have volunteers who work all different days, some can only do weekdays, some can only do weekends.  We are just happy for people to give us whatever time they can and I am sure most rescues will feel the same.
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Millys Mum on October 24, 2008, 19:05:04 PM
Its not how often you can but reliability. Common sense is often more useful than qualifications  ;)

www.catchat.org (http://www.catchat.org)
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: madkittyrescue on October 31, 2008, 16:50:51 PM
you'll probably find most will bite you hand off at the chance of an occasional pair of hands! :)
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: sazkat2 on October 31, 2008, 19:46:27 PM
Im a volunteer at a local cat rescue and I have no qualifications just love cats!!!  Its so enjoyable you would love it give them a call Im sure someone will need some help.
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Mark on October 31, 2008, 19:58:33 PM
Quote
how do rescue centres feel about volunteers who just help out when they can..weekends for example-do they not want adhoc volunteers do they prefer more structured times and do i have to have any type of qualifications?

We are happy to accept help as and when people can, any help is better than no help at all. Our volunteers do not need any qualifications, just a good heart and being honest is enough. There are so many different roles that volunteers are needed for that there is always something a volunteer is capable of even if it is only making cakes.

We worded a newsletter like that last year. It said there is a job for everyone in the branch and everyone was important, including the people that knitted blankets to help towards vet bills.
Title: Re: volunteering...
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on October 31, 2008, 20:09:10 PM
I volunteer for Cats protection, absolutely love it but I fit it around a very hectic job as work from 7am to 6.30pm mon to fri and also bring work home. I actually do quit quite a few different roles within the branch but all of them being as and when I can. I think most branches of CP and most independent branches would be understanding and there are lots of different roles you can do from being very hands on with the cats to more paperwork based roles.