Cat Care Assistant

Skills and Experience required:

Enthusiastic and pro-active – Reliable – Willingness to get stuck in – Ability to work independently and as part of a team – Passion for cats and interest in cat welfare

How this helps the SAA

Cat assistants work to ensure our cats have a healthy and happy environment whilst in our care. Many cats find cattery environments to be a bit stressful, so having people around to care for them and give them some love can be really beneficial. We rely on volunteers to help ensure we keep cleanliness levels high so that we can keep all the cats as safe as possible.

What does this role involve?

Morning role: (9:30am – 12.30)

  • Cleaning out the pens;
  • emptying litter trays, wiping down the floor and walls
  • Ensuring the cats are fed and watered
  • Keeping the inside and outside of the cat units clean and tidy
  • Ensuring supplies of cleaning equipment, food etc are kept stocked up
  • Socialising with the cats; stroking them, keeping them company, talking to the nervous characters
  • Observing the cats’ behaviour and reporting any changes or concerns to SAA staff.
  • Helping to keep associated rooms organised (eg food room, laundry room, cat litter store)

Afternoon role: (core hours are usually 1:30pm- 4:30pm)

  • Ensuring supplies of cleaning equipment, food etc are kept stocked up
  • Socialising with the cats; stroking them, keeping them company, talking to the nervous characters
  • Observing the cats’ behaviour and reporting any changes or concerns to SAA staff
  • Making sure every cat has fresh water and litter trays are clean for the evening
  • Taking photos to help with social media
  • Working with the staff to complete admission and monthly health checks.

Time commitment required?

Timing can be flexible depending on what you are doing on site, this can be arranged with staff.

Some volunteers help multiple days, some once a week and some once a month. All we ask is that once you confirm your availability and that commitment, to enable us to ensure the rota is adequately filled. We can be flexible and accommodate shift workers who may have differing days off each week.

It is vital that volunteers turn up regularly, notifying the SAA in advance of any absence. Failure to turn up may have a negative impact on the care and welfare of the charity’s animals, and repeated absences will result in you being asked to leave.

Age Requirements

All volunteers at the rescue need to be aged 16 or over (under 18s will need a consent form filled out by a parent/guardian).

Unfortunately, at this time we can’t take in any bronze Duke of Edinburgh participants due to the short time period of the placement.

How will we support you?

Your contact will be the animal care staff, who will provide you with support, information, guidance and direction. You will receive an induction into the workings of the charity and the cat unit, to ensure you are familiar with our cleaning and feeding practices and policies. You will be introduced to other volunteers who also care for the cats, although there may be times when you are working on your own.

What you can gain from volunteering with the SAA?

  • Meeting and working with new people
  • Develop existing knowledge or gain new knowledge
  • The experience of using your skills and abilities to in an animal rescue situation.
  • Spending time with rescue animals and helping to improve their lives.

Please note, depending on the current number of volunteers, we may not have spaces available on the specific day/hour requested. In these circumstances, your name will be put on a waiting list and we will contact if you if a space becomes available.