Volunteer for us

Fostering provides respite to cats struggling with cattery life, as well as enabling kittens 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 increasing our team of Volunteer Cat Fosterers who provide loving homes to cats, kittens or nursing mums and litters whilst we search for their forever homes. 

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 cat’s rehabilitation, socialisation and rehoming journey. All costs are covered by Bath Cats & Dogs Home, foster animals will be provided with food, bedding, litter, toys and any medication required.

As a volunteer fosterer, you will: 

• Provide a safe and loving home for your foster cat for a set period of time
• Take care of their daily needs including feeding them, cleaning their litter tray and living area, spending time with them to improve their socialisation and for long-haired cats, grooming them
• For cats 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 cat's forever home 
• Bring them to the Home for scheduled rehoming appointments

About You 

Previous experience of owning or fostering a cat is not essential but would be beneficial. We are interested in speaking to potential fosterers who either own their own home or have permission from their landlord to keep pets and who have a secure room to safely settle the foster cat into the home. If you are a cat lover who has the time to give a cat that is struggling with cattery life, a nursing mum and her kittens, or a pair of kittens who are waiting for their forever home, then we would love to hear from you!

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.

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 cat foster training inductions for new cat 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.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hayley Crymble, Volunteer Engagement Manager on hayleycrymble@bcdh.org.uk

We are seeking a friendly and conscientious volunteer to assist with our retail operation by sorting and preparing items that have kindly been donated to our charity shop drop-off point here at the Home. Working alongside our E-Commerce Manager on a Wednesday morning, this volunteer will play an integral role in the day-to-day running of our charity and online shops.

About the role

The sorting of donations is the starting point of all fundraising within our retail operation which enables us to continue to care for animals in need. Once donated, items need to be sorted into those suitable for sale in one of our four charity shops, higher value or niche items for our eBay shop and unfortunately those we cannot sell, which will be recycled where possible. You will work closely with the E-Commerce Manager who will support you with selecting where we can raise the most funds per item. Your key activities could include: 

• Sorting and selecting items ready for sale in our charity or online shops
• Keeping our donations sorting area organised
• Transporting items from our donation port to our sorting area (on-site)
• Preparing items for delivery to shops 
• Preparing items for recycling collections 
• Assisting with the research of item values 

You will be based here at Bath Cats & Dogs Home, The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AZ. 

About you 

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals. Good communication, attention to detail and rationality are the key to a successful donation sorting volunteer. There is a manual handling element with to the role, including lifting heavy boxes as well as some lone working so this should be considered upon application.

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

To support our existing donations sorting team, we require volunteers to make a weekly commitment of at least 2 hours on a Wednesday morning. 

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.  

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 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 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 Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays. 

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.  

Don't see anything you like?

Would you like to support us as a volunteer, but none of the current volunteer vacancies suit your interests? If you think that your skills and experience can be useful to us, then we would love to hear from you!

Tell us how you can help us and if we can match you to a role, then we will arrange for you to attend a volunteer taster session to gain further insight, prior to you making any commitment to volunteering. It might be that we cannot make use of your skills right away but will keep you in mind for future projects.

About You

Perhaps you’re an admin whizz who can help our Rehoming or Intake team with processing applications or someone who is willing to get their hands dirty helping to clean out kennels and paddocks. You could be a confident public speaker happy to support our Education & Outreach team at school visits, or an experienced events coordinator who can lend a hand at fundraising challenge events.

Whatever your interests, we would love to hear from everyone who is interested in what we do and keen to get involved. Our team of volunteers is made up of over 180 selfless people, helping Bath Cats & Dogs Home in all areas, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the team!

How to apply

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 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