Volunteer with us

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Get involved

Together, we can make a profound impact, one pawprint at a time. Whether you're interested in handling public enquiries, doing social media, or helping to rehome animals, your contribution matters. Every role is essential to our animal welfare efforts, and we would be thrilled to have you on board. Take a look at our latest opportunities on offer. You can apply straight away through our form below.

Volunteer with us to create a brighter, more loving world for the animals we cherish. From fundraising to providing crucial animal welfare services, we work together to serve the animals and our local community.

Don't worry if you can't find a suitable vacancy right now. The website is updated regularly, so keep checking for new vacancies and you are sure to find something that interests you.

What will you gain?

Volunteering with us is a great way to meet like-minded people who share the same enthusiasm for animal welfare. There are lots of other benefits too, such as:

gaining new skills or developing existing ones
the chance to try out something new
doing something useful and rewarding
gaining a sense of achievement
putting something back into the community
developing your personal skills and confidence

As a volunteer, you can gain important transferable skills in fundraising, campaigning, finance, team building, management, computers, and administration - the list is endless.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Branch Trustee (Mostly remote)

The Trustee Opportunity

Are you passionate about animal welfare? Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help us grow and reach more supporters so we can make an even greater difference for animals?

Join our branch and become a hands-on trustee to play an active role in promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to animals.

What You’ll Do
Trustees oversee the charity's work and shape how we care for animals and prevent cruelty. This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to influence decision-making and help lead activities such as:

Animal Welfare - Ensure the Branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards;
Fundraising;
Community Engagement - Raise the profile of the branch among the public and the business community, particularly in our local area
Marketing - Promote our activities to raise awareness of our work and goals
Governance - Support the aims and policies of the RSPCA and apply the Branch rules
Strategic Planning - Develop, monitor & review to ensure the branch is developing in the direction agreed by the Trustees;
Volunteers Management - Recruit, onboard and engage non-Trustee volunteers;

What We Offer
As a trustee, you will:

Connect with like-minded people who share your passion for animal welfare
Make a direct impact on local animal welfare initiatives
Gain and develop valuable new skills, and receive support and training

Who We're Looking For

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission and bring skills in areas such as:

Fundraising, incl. grant applications
Charity governance
Volunteer management
Marketing, PR, and social media
Community engagement

No prior trustee experience is required—just commitment, common sense, and good interpersonal skills. We believe the role is best-suited to someone who is hands-on, creative and proactive.

Some of our activities are in person in London, so please note we can only consider candidates who are based in London or who can travel to London on a regular basis.

You must be aged 18 or over, and able to provide references.

Practical Details

Trustees are elected for a one-year term
You can expect to attend one monthly meeting (2-3 hours) and contribute 2-3 additional hours weekly
Reasonable expenses are reimbursed

Application Process

Please apply via application form here and email us your cv.
Shortlisted candidates may be asked to volunteer with the branch for an initial period
Background checks will be carried out for compliance before appointment

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of animals in your community. Ready to get involved? We'd love to hear from you!

As a branch policy, we also ask shortlisted candidates to volunteer with us first for a period of time to better understand what we do and to make sure you feel comfortable working with other trustees.

Before a new trustee can be put forward for co-op or election, our committee must ensure that prospective individuals are suitable. In line with Charity Commission guidance election candidates will therefore be subject to the following register searches and checks being conducted:

Individual Insolvency Register (maintained by the Insolvency Service)
Register of disqualified directors (maintained by Company House)
Register of persons removed as a charity trustee (maintained by Charity Commission and Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator)
A basic disclosure check, which identifies convictions considered unspent under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Individuals who appear on any of the above registers or who have any unspent convictions or cautions that make them ineligible to be a trustee or director under charity or company law will not be considered suitable to stand for election.

Subject to the above checks, the committee will formally co-opt you (or invite you to join the AGM for the election by the members).

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Social Media & Marketing Volunteer (Remote)

We’re looking for volunteers who'd like to use their social media and communications experience to raise the profile of our branch. Help us to increase our social media presence and engagement, generate interesting content such as cat stories and educational messages, and give support to our fundraising.

The Opportunity

We would like to draw on your experience in the communications world to help our branch deliver engaging content and communications to help us spread our aims and message to our audience.We would like the volunteer(s) to:

Develop a social media plan and calendar
Produce fresh and engaging content for our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, & YouTube)
Use your creative skills to devise a range strategies to engage, grow, and widen our target audiences
Monitor our social media activity, provide regular evaluations and suggest any new trends or tools to be explored
Help us develop and execute a social media strategy to help us increase engagement, improve the number of followers/likes, create & execute a content calendar
Engage with our followers and encourage interaction
Contribute to the insight about the social media channels and how best to utilise them
Manage and maintain social media channels on a regular basis

You will be working with other volunteers of the branch who will provide an overview of our current social media activity, the brand guidelines, and the key messages we'd like to use social media to help us push out.

What we are looking for in a Social Media volunteer

We are looking for volunteers who have experience in:

Different types of social media content creation and marketing
Writing and developing marketing content for social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn
Building strategies to increase social media following and /or build fundraising or awareness campaigns
Developing a coherent brand voice for social media, from content creation to community interactions
Using tools such as Buffer, Canva, facebook business suite
Creating content calendars to help plan social media activity
Experience in charity or Non-Governmental Organisation (preferable)

The volunteers should also have/be:

Excellent written communication skills
Accuracy and attention to detail
Creative writing and design abilities
Good computer and digital skills
Enthusiasm for communications and marketing
Ability to quickly understand the needs of our team / organisation / users
Ability to transform small snippets of information into interesting and engaging stories suitable for social media etc.
Can ask key questions to enable us to clarify requirements
Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and is able to work with these
Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to work as part of a team
Ideally an animal lover

What we can offer you as a volunteer

You will be making a massive difference to improve the welfare of the cats by bringing in more support and by raising awareness towards the animal welfare issues.
You can also enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Branch Volunteer Coordinator (Mostly remote)

As a Volunteer Coordinator of our branch, you would be the central point of contact for current and potential volunteers and would play a vital role in their recruitment and retention.

You will maintain our log of volunteer enquiries and pass details on to the appropriate Trustee to follow up (where a volunteer is still interested in getting involved and needs to speak to someone who has experience of the role/responsibility).

You’ll be supported by a small pool of our volunteer trustees, one of whom will meet with you on a regular basis. We anticipate the effort required for this volunteer role would be between 3 to 4 hours per week.

The London East Branch

Our branch is one of the local branches of RSPCA; we are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. A huge amount of the animal welfare work of the RSPCA is carried out through the branches, and you as the Volunteer Coordinator will be involved in managing the volunteer base for our branch so that we can promote and provide animal welfare within our area.

Your responsibilities

Support the recruitment of volunteer roles including making sure the roles will be posted on the website and social media.
Process applications and set up interviews with trustees
Welcome new volunteers to the branch.
Support volunteers in the onboarding processes including filling in forms and speaking to one (or more) of the trustees to better understand our work.
Work with the Branch trustees to arrange the recruitment and placement of volunteers.
Arrange onboarding briefings and training for the volunteers

What we are looking for in a Branch Volunteer Coordinator

Good communication and organisational skills.
Experience in recruitment, managing volunteers or motivating teams would be useful, but not essential.
Can offer commitment throughout the week; we would need emails to be replied to within a reasonable timeframe, 72 hours, so regular checking of the email account is a must.
Resourceful and creative
Comfortable and interested in meeting new people
Experience in charity sector preferred but not necessary

What we can offer you

You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals.
Join a team that share the passion for animals and animal welfare.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Broadening your skillsets and toolkits.
Enhance your CV.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Fostering Coordinator (Remote)

As a volunteer Fostering Coordinator, you would support and coordinate a group of branch animal foster carers who are temporarily or permanently caring for our cats in their own homes. Our fosterers are vital to helping us socialise and rehabilitate our animals whilst we are looking for their forever homes, and also caring for cats that have not been able to be rehomed. You would play an essential role in coordinating their efforts.

The London East Branch

Our branch is one of the local branches of RSPCA; we are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. A huge amount of the animal welfare work of the RSPCA is carried out through the branches. Donors and public support are critical to enable us to continue to carry out the work. Creating a community online and engage with our audience play a key part in solidifying the public support.

The role

Support fosterers who have our cats in their care, by way of:
Arranging and attending regular catch ups (video call) to monitor progress and the cat’s welfare
Keeping records of any medication, special food etc. required and liaising
with the branch to ensure the fosterer receives this as and when needed
Answering any ad hoc queries and generally supporting the fosterer with the cat’s care
Being a secondary emergency contact if the fosterer cannot reach the branch
Help with recruiting new fosterers.

What are we looking for?

Someone who is

Excellent communication skills
Strong organisational skills
Friendly and approachable
Experience of owning cats, ideally rescue cats
A passion for animal welfare
Experience in animal welfare services preferred
Friendly and patient
A team player
Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment. The role involves approx. 2-3 hours per week, but this will be throughout the week and not necessarily at regular times.

Other requirements

You support the goals and mission of RSPCA.
You must be aged 18 or over.
You live in the UK.

What we can offer you

You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in foster care.
Join a community which will enable you to meet new people.
Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
Broadening your skillsets and toolkits.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Driver

Our volunteer drivers help ensure the smooth running of our services. We would love you to join us and help us help more pets in need. You will be transporting animals to and from the local vets for any treatments they may need during their stay with a branch or animal centre.

This role will require you to handle animals being transported in line with our guidelines, health and safety regulations and to undertake appropriate training as required. Drivers must be able to lift animals of various sizes and weights into and out of a vehicle safely if required. Cat cages will be used in order to transport animals safely, so if you are using your own vehicle it needs to be suitable for this.

All drivers are required to have a valid driving licence and if using their own vehicle valid insurance and MOT (if applicable).

The London East Branch

Our branch is one of the local branches of RSPCA; we are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. A huge amount of the animal welfare work of the RSPCA is carried out through the branches. Donors and public support are critical to enable us to continue to carry out the work. Creating a community online and engage with our audience play a key part in solidifying the public support.

The role

Driving your own car
Transporting animals and supplies between centres and hospitals, foster homes and the vets
Moving animals in and out of the vehicle
Completing necessary transfer paperwork
Supporting team with transfer protocols e.g. transfer tags

What are we looking for?

Someone who is

Full UK driving licence and comprehensive driving insurance
Excellent customer service skills
Good team working skills
Experience of handling dogs, cats and small pets
Organisational skills and good attention to detail
Regular commitment and reliability
A confidential approach
Access to use of computer equipment
Computer literacy and experience using web-based services and Microsoft Office e.g. Outlook and Word Experience of using/Willingness to learn how to use video technology e.g. Microsoft Teams Experience of using/Willingness to learn how to use databases

Other requirements

You support the goals and mission of RSPCA.
You must be aged 18 or over.
You live in the UK.

What we can offer you

You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in our care.
Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
Opportunity to have first hand experience handling our cats.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Branch Administrator (Remote)

We are looking for a compassionate, passionate, professional and committed individual who wants to work in an animal welfare organisation and make a difference to the lives of animals. You will be comfortable working independently, taking initiative and being flexible. Your role will include administrative duties supporting and working directly with the trustees and public.

Key Responsibilities

Be the first point of contact with members of the public who have animal welfare queries
Respond to inquiries via email and telephone
Liaise with and update trustees and other RSPCA volunteers/staff
Record keeping
Update Q&A guidelines with Branch Trustees

What are we looking for?
Essential skills, experience, and qualifications

Fluency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
Interested in and willing to learn about animal welfare.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Ideally experience in customer service or other public-facing roles.
Positive and tolerant personality.
Able to work independently with little supervision.
Highly self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
Reliable, trustworthy, and committed to the Branch’s success.
Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks appropriately.
Keen attention to detail.
Patient and calm in handling questions.
Willingness to problem-solve.

Time

Mainly within office hours. Estimate of time needed: 4-5 hours / week

Cat Fosterer

We’re looking for cat-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the wellbeing of the cats in our care whilst they wait to be rehomed.

Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their purrfect forever home?

The Opportunity

As a cat fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA London East Branch in providing our cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

We have two types of fostering at our branch:

short term for up to three months, typically where a cat is nervous or for other reasons could do with some TLC;
long term, typically where a cat has a health condition.

Our foster cats are not going to be super friendly cats that can be picked up or cuddled (these cats can go straight to rehoming) so, if that's not for you, we want to be honest and suggest you foster for another charity that offers that kind of fostering opportunity.

We provide our fosterers with a basic starting kit of litter tray, scoop, food and water bowls, carrier and scratching post. We ask our fosterers to provide food and litter, unless the cat is on a special diet (in which case we will provide the specialist food). We pay for any routine or pre-agreed veterinary care the cat requires while in your care.

Whilst our cats are in your foster care, you will:

Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines. Short term foster cats are not permitted to go outside during the foster period.
Feed, water, groom and engage with them in line with our advice.
Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
Provide them with your care, time and patience.
Help us spread the word about the cats in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Cat Fosterer

Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for cats. By this we mean you have owned your own cat(s) and had experience with multiple other cats, whether owned or stray
Fostering experience or experience with nervous cats is beneficial
For their wellbeing, our cats need to be kept in a separate room (unless you live alone and without any other pets)
Any existing pets or animals need to have been neutered and vaccinated
We will not accept applications from multi-adult households such as student house shares.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Cat Fosterer

You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in your care. These cats are the ones in desperate need, who need to learn that they can trust humans. Our opportunities are not going to be the easiest ones, but they are so incredibly rewarding – seeing your foster cat blossom and gain the confidence they need to be happy and find a forever home is priceless.
Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

It is worth mentioning that our cats do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming, others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster cat.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Outreach Fundraiser

You must be 18 or over to apply.

As a outreach fundraiser, you will be joining our team to do outreach fundraising at some prominent locations in Central London. You will working in a team, talking to members of the public, you'll promote our work and inspire people to join and donate to our Branch by my making one off donations in cash or through contactless payment.

The ideal candidate will:

Have experience working with people face-to-face (e.g. customer service or sales)
Have a positive attitude
Have a passion for the work of charities
Be outgoing, energetic and have a confident demeanour

We have a few out reach fundraising opportunities lined up before and after Christmas. Each shift will be 3-4 hours max. You can choose to take part in the shift that fits your schedule.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! You can use the application form here and email us your cv.

For more information please contact us at animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

HOW TO APPLY
Complete our Volunteer Form - click the button on the right.

Send your cv and application to animalwelfare@rspcaeastlondonandhavering.org.uk

Please state the role you are interested in applying for.

We will do our best to get back to you within a week.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

ABOUT RSPCA

RSPCA is proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It was the first to introduce a law to protect animals. We work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering.

Through our campaigns we raise standards of care and awareness of issues for the animals who have no voice. We push for laws to be changed, improving the welfare of animals on farms, in research labs, in the wild, in paddocks or in our homes.
Through investigations and prosecutions we stand up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - we will not tolerate animal abuse. Our highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty at every level and are working hard to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty.
We believe every animal has the right to be counted as an individual. Animals can rely on us to rescue them when they need us most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

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