Volunteer for us

We love to share our news with our supporters. It’s the key to ensuring they know what a difference their support makes to the lives of the cats and dogs in our care. But it’s a big job and we’re a small team, so we’re looking for people with an interest in writing or design who would be willing to give time on a regular basis to work alongside us. 

As a Creative/Copywriting Volunteer, you will help us share our stories, raise awareness, and inspire action to support our vital work. Working alongside our Communications & Marketing team, you will play a crucial role in crafting compelling and engaging content across various platforms to connect with our supporters and drive positive change for animals in need.

Role Profile

This is a new volunteer role working with the Communications & Marketing team. It’s an exciting time and we’re looking to tailor our communications to what our supporters want to know, and really put our supporters in the spotlight, showing the crucial part they play in our charity. We are only able to give the dogs and cats in our care happy homes and healthy lives thanks to all the people who step forward to support us. Whether they are adopting, fostering, volunteering or raising money, their role is invaluable!

Your key activities could include:

• Gathering news
• Copywriting and editing
• Processing photographs or video content
• Small design jobs
• Uploading content to our email programme or website
• Maintaining confidentiality in line with Bath Cats & Dogs Home’s Data Protection Policy

Full training and support would be available.

About You

This role would suit a creative individual with a love of animals who would like to help us to make engaging and entertaining content for our supporters. Experience of using a mix of standard IT software, such as MS word or Google Docs, and design and image manipulation software, such as Canva, would be beneficial but training will be provided in house. The ideal candidiate will have excellent communication and writing skills; creative storytelling ability and an understanding of writing in various styles and for different platforms.

If you have a passion for the world of animal welfare and have a creative spark, we would love to hear from you! 

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18.

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be invited for a taster session here at the Home. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.

Now that spring has sprung, we have an excellent seasonal opportunity for those who love the great outdoors and wish to support the animals in our care. If you love to be outside and enjoy gardening, why not consider joining our team as a Gardening Volunteer, supporting our small but mighty Grounds & Maintenance team who look after our 10 acre site. 

About the Role

Based in bucolic Claverton Down, we are lucky to have several large green spaces in which to excercise our dogs - and a brilliant cat garden for our feline friends! This takes a lot of looking after though and we are keen to hear from potential volunteers who would like to take on a specific area of our site as a project, tending to it on a weekly basis and seeing it flourish throughout the summer. There are several areas to choose from, including our Enrichment Paddock, Behaviour Cabin Garden and Pet Cemetery. There are also general gardening tasks to crack on wtih, such as sweeping the Summer House, mowing and strimming, and tackling weeds in the kennel block paddocks. 

This is a rewarding role as you will be able to see at the end of your shift the results of your hard work! You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you have directly impacted the lives of the animals in our care by creating a safe outside space for them to enjoy off-lead play time and exploration, keeping their bodies active and their brains engaged. 

About You 

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals. This role requires elements of manual handling so you will need to be physically fit and this should be considered upon application. You will be a team player who is able to carefully follow instructions and relevant health and safety requirements for the position, for example the use of appropriate PPE. 

Full in person training will be provided by the maintenance team. Your hours will be flexible in line with current staffing levels, but during the spring and summer a weekly requirement of at least 2 hours is required, weather-dependant. 

How to Apply

All volunteers are required to complete core online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18. 

Click the link below to complete an application form. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager, at hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk

Fostering provides respite to dogs struggling with kennel life, as well as enabling puppies to spend important developmental stages in a home environment. In line with our ongoing work to deliver gold-standard welfare to the animals in our care, we are currently in need of dog fosterers, particularly those who live in an adult-only household with no other pets. 

Role Profile

The purpose of a fosterer is to provide safe and loving care in their own home to their foster animals adhering to Bath Cats & Dogs Home’s guidance and processes. You will be an important factor in your foster dog or puppy’s rehabilitation, socialisation, and rehoming journey. All costs are covered by Bath Cats & Dogs Home, foster animals will be provided with food, bedding, toys and any medication required.

As a volunteer fosterer, you will:

• Provide a safe and loving home for your foster dog or puppy for an agreed time period.
• Take care of their daily needs including feeding them, cleaning their living area, spending time with them to improve their socialisation and for those who need it, grooming.
• For dogs or puppies with ongoing medical conditions, administer their medication or provide any extra care they may need.
• Bring them to our on-site vet suite for vet appointments.
• Keep in regular contact with our Foster Coordinator to provide updates on their progress, submit behavioural assessments and send us photos to support the Rehoming Team to find your foster dog or puppy’s forever home.
• Bring them to the Home for scheduled rehoming appointments.

About You

Previous experience of owning or fostering a dog is not essential but is desirable. We are interested in speaking to potential fosterers who either own their own home or have permission from their landlord to keep pets. It is essential that you have a valid driver’s licence and access to a car to foster a dog or puppy. As you will need to visit us on a regular basis for appointments, and we are unfortunately unable to reimburse travel costs, potential fosterers should live within a 30-minute drive to Bath Cats & Dogs Home.

If you are an animal lover who has the time to give a dog that is struggling with kennel life, a nursing mum and her puppies, or a dog with medical issues who is waiting for their forever home, then we would love to hear from you!

We want to set you up for success and introduce you to fellow volunteer fosterers who can share their knowledge and experience with you. Therefore, we will host monthly training inductions for new dog fosterers.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18.

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be contacted by our Foster Coordinator for a more detailed discussion of the role responsibilities.

Volunteer Van Drivers play an integral role in the day-to-day running of both our charity shops in Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Frome and Trowbridge, and on-site at Bath Cats & Dogs Home. As our retail operation has grown, so has our need for friendly van drivers to represent the charity out on the road delivering to and collecting stock from our five charity shops. In addition to this, our Van Drivers also support our outreach work in the local community by delivering vital food donations to two foodbanks on a monthly basis. 

About The Role

As a Volunteer Van Driver's Mate for Bath Cats and Dogs Home, you will play a vital role in our weekly operations by driving our van through Bath City Centre, North Somerset, and West Wiltshire. Your main duties will include collecting generous donations and delivering sorted stock and other sundries to our five charity shops. This essential role helps ensure our shops are well-stocked, contributing to the care and support of animals in need. You’ll be assisting with loading and unloading items, driving the van whilst following safe protocols, and enjoying friendly interactions with donors, staff and volunteers.

About You

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals, a clean licence, with ideally, some previous experience of driving vans. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application.

We can be flexible with volunteer's availability, however volunteer support in this role on Mondays or Tuesdays would be ideal.

How to Apply

All volunteers are required to complete core online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. For this role, there will also be a requirement to complete a licence check and driver assessment training. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18.

Click the link below to complete an application form. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager, hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk

The Together Project

Established in 2018, the Together Project is a community outreach project delivered by a team of volunteer vets and non-clinical volunteers to provide non-judgmental veterinary advice, treatment and care to the pets of vulnerably housed and homeless people in Bath. Working in partnership with local homeless charities Julian House and Genesis Trust, the team understands the strong bond between an owner and a pet, and that for many, a pet can be a lifeline, so they aim to do whatever they can to keep these beloved pets together with their owners.

We are seeking kind, empathetic and understanding volunteers to join our award-winning Together Project team and would love to hear from vets and vet nurses (RVN) interested in joining the project. 

About the Role

Currently the Together Project team run two clinics per month, one at Genesis on the Canal in Widcombe on a Friday morning, and the second on a Saturday afternoon, where they take to the streets to seek out service users who may not have made it to the Friday clinic, as well as raise awareness of the project. During a clinic, the volunteers will:

• Earn trust from people in marginalised communities by demonstrating true care for their pets
• Register new service users and encourage their attendance at monthly clinics, promoting responsible pet ownership regardless of living situation
• Catch up with service users and their pets, building relationships and ensuring consistency of treatment where possible
• Provide preventative treatment such as vaccinations and parasite treatment
• Provide treatment for illness and injury, as well as emergency intervention when necessary
• Act as ambassadors for the project and Bath Cats & Dogs Home

About You

We would love to hear from vets and vet nurses who can give 2 hours per month to support the Together Project. You will need to be outgoing, approachable and have an understanding nature as trust from Together Project service users is hard-won and not guaranteed.

This is an exciting opportunity for vets and vet nurses interested in applying their knowledge and experience to an outreach programme aiming to improve the lives of marginalised people and empowering them to best care for their beloved pets. Taking your clinical knowledge out of the practice and into the community, you will be reaching out to people who love their pets wholeheartedly but may not feel able to ask for help.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Vets and nurses will need to have clinical insurance provided by their employer. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18.

Click the link below to complete an application form. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager, at hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk

We have an exciting opportunity for supporters of Bath Cats & Dogs Home who may not be able to commit to a weekly volunteer slot to get involved in events throughout the year. This varied role offers you the chance to experience different volunteering positions, ranging from street collections and in-store fundraising drives to large events including the Bath Half Marathon and our annual Wag Walk. Each of these events are equally important to raising vital funds for the Home as well as raising our profile in the community.

About the Role 

Volunteering at events offers you the opportunity to meet other volunteers and learn about how you each support the Home. Events volunteering can demonstrate how Bath Cats & Dogs Home has touched so many people's lives. You will meet former residents of Bath Cats & Dogs Home at Wag Walk and hear about their adoption journey, as well hearing from runners at the Bath Half why they are fundraising for us. If you have a relaxed dog that likes meeting people, you are welcome to bring them along with you to street collections and fundraising drives as this is always a conversation starter! 

Booked events for 2024/2025: 

• Street collections in Bath
• Fundraising drives at Pets at Home's Bath and Trowbridge stores
• The Bath Half Marathon 

Most events take place during the day on weekends, with the exception of Pets at Home's Santa Paws fundraising drive, which includes some weekdays. 

About You

If you have a love for animals, are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, this may be the volunteering role for you! You will need to be confident and have an approachable nature as you will be speaking with members of the public about the work that we do. At street collections, the Bath Half Marathon and Wag Walk, you may be required to stand for over an hour at a time, which should be considered upon application. 

All volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, all volunteers must be over the age of 18. 

Click on the link below complete the application form. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.  

We have the opportunity for volunteers who have a passion for retail and animals to join the team at our brand new charity shop on George Street in the city centre. This is an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to growing a friendly team in this new retail hub for the charity. There are plenty of roles available to suit your interests and availability. 

The George Street shop is our retail hub as it is also home to our E-Commerce operation. The friendly team working at George Street are happy for potential volunteers to explore the areas that are of interest to them, so if you love researching books or obscure bands, possibly discovering that a donation could raise hundreds for us by being sold online, then perhaps you'd enjoy working within our E-Commerce team!

We are seeking more volunteers to join our bustling George Street team on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday afternoons and would love to hear from people who are happy to be serve customers on the till.  

Role Profile

Our shop volunteers play an integral role in the day-to-day running of our charity shops and the maximising of sales to support Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Whether you prefer working behind the scenes or on the shop floor in a customer facing role there are plenty of tasks to get involved with.

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Assisting with the processing of donated stock, including sorting, steaming and hanging of items
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering 

About You

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals. Good communication and customer care skills are key to a successful charity shop so the ability to work as part of a team and with the general public is desirable. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application. The hours are flexible although we ask for a regular commitment of a few hours each week.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18. 

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be invited for a taster session in the shop. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.  

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to expand and develop your retail skills within a charity environment and gain work experience, transferable to your CV. This voluntary role is a great way to meet new people, be part of a team, gain self-confidence and be a major part of helping unwanted and abandoned animals in need. You'll be working in a busy shop in the bustling independent retail hub of Frome. 

Role Profile

Our charity shop in the popular town of Frome is in need of a chatty and personable volunteer to interact with customers and manage transactions as a Retail Assistant. If you're a people person with a passion for animals, this could be the volunteer role for you. There are plenty of four-legged furry visitors to the shop so you will also get to meet lots of canine supporters of Bath Cats & Dogs Home! 

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering

We currently need volunteer support in the Frome shop Monday-Friday between the hours of 10am-4pm, and on weekends between 12-2pm. 

About You

You will be an enthusiastic individual with a love for animals and charity shops. You will be well presented, friendly and enjoy meeting new people. It is vital you are reliable and trustworthy and able to offer a regular set of hours each week to fit with shop needs. Previous retail experience is an advantage but is not essential. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18. 

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be invited for a taster session in the shop. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.  

Our shop in picturesque Bradford on Avon is seeking friendly volunteers to engage with customers on the shop floor and assist with behind the scenes tasks. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to expand and develop your retail skills within a charity environment and gain work experience, transferable to your CV. This voluntary role is a great way to meet new people, be part of a team, gain self-confidence and be a major part of helping unwanted and abandoned animals in need. There are plenty of opportunities here to meet your interests and availability. 

We are particularly interested in hearing from people available to volunteer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. 

Role Profile

Our shop volunteers play an integral role in the day-to-day running of our charity shops and the maximising of sales to support Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Whether you prefer working behind the scenes or on the shop floor in a customer facing role there are plenty of tasks to get involved with.

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering

About You

You will be an enthusiastic individual with a love for animals and charity shops. You will be well presented, friendly and enjoy meeting new people. It is vital you are reliable and trustworthy and able to offer a regular set of hours each week to fit with shop needs. Previous retail experience is an advantage but is not essential. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18. 

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be invited for a taster session in the shop. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.  

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to expand and develop your retail skills within a charity environment and gain work experience, transferable to your CV. This voluntary role is a great way to meet new people, be part of a team, gain self-confidence and be a major part of helping unwanted and abandoned animals in need. You'll be working in a popular shop in Trowbridge's busy The Shires shopping centre. 

We currently need volunteer support in the Trowbridge shop on Fridays and Saturdays, operating the till and engaging with customers. 

Role Profile

Our shop volunteers play an integral role in the day-to-day running of our charity shops and the maximising of sales to support Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Whether you prefer working behind the scenes or on the shop floor in a customer facing role there are plenty of tasks to get involved with.

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering 

About You

You will be an enthusiastic individual with a love for animals and charity shops. You will be well presented, friendly and enjoy meeting new people. It is vital you are reliable and trustworthy and able to offer a regular set of hours each week to fit with shop needs. Previous retail experience is an advantage but is not essential. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes.

How to Apply

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18. 

Click on the link below complete the application form. If we feel that you are suitable for this role, you will then be invited for a taster session in the shop. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk.