Small Animal Fosterer (Rabbit Fosterer - Blackberry Farm Animal Centre)

Small Animal Fosterer (Rabbit Fosterer - Blackberry Farm Animal Centre)

Could you open your heart and home to a rabbit in need?

We're seeking compassionate individuals to provide temporary foster care for rabbits. Many of the small animals in our care thrive in a home environment, especially those with medical needs, shy temperaments, or young animals. Fostering also helps small animals involved in RSPCA investigations, offering them comfort and stability during a potentially lengthy process.

Fostering is a flexible and incredibly rewarding way to help. You'll receive comprehensive support from our animal centre, including all necessary supplies, equipment and vet treatment, including suitable accommodation. You'll be part of a wider RSPCA team, working alongside experts to rehabilitate animals in need.

You'll join a supportive community with staff on hand and access to online training and wellbeing resources.

If you're over 18, have time to dedicate, and can transport your foster animals to vet appointments here at Blackberry Farm, you could make a real difference. By fostering, you also help us create more space in our centres to assist more animals. Ready to be a hero? Complete our application form to join our team.

More about this role

We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

Our fosterers play a vital role by providing a temporary home for animals that are in the care of the RSPCA, either during rehabilitation or whilst they are waiting for a suitable permanent home to be found.

You could be fostering an animal for just a few weeks, or it could be a longer-term placement for several months or more.

Volunteer role

Small Animal Fosterer

Volunteer manager

Volunteer Coordinator

Where you will be based

Home

What you will be doing

• Providing care and suitable housing in a safe environment for animals while they are in foster care in accordance with Society policies and guidelines
• Feeding, watering, providing enrichment and grooming animals (as appropriate)
• Providing suitable bedding (supplied if required)
• Keeping accurate records of expenditure on fostered animals, via receipts and completed expense forms
• Completing records/daily observations in relation to behaviour and health and liaising with your Foster Coordinator when needed
• For animals ready for rehoming: raising awareness about animals in your care with the hope of rehoming them (including sharing images and videos with your local contact/team)
• For animals subject to an RSPCA case: using discretion (where needed) if the animal has specific needs or reasons for being in your care
• Transporting your foster animal for appointments, vet consultations, etc

The skills you need

• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over
• Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial
• Experience of caring for animals is desirable
• Room to accommodate the animals you are fostering (a garden or outside space for some species)
• Your family/household must be fully supportive
• If you have existing animals of the same species it is preferred that they be spayed/neutered and vaccinated (unless there are medical reason why they can't be), but this can be discussed on a case by case basis

What's in it for you

• Meet like minded people and get to know more about the work of the RSPCA
• Add an important animal welfare role to your CV
• A great induction and training relevant to your role
• Support from our local and national teams
• You'll be making a huge difference to the welfare of animals

Disclaimer

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and introductory period. Before you can start volunteering you'll need to complete our suite of eLearn training including a simple online Health & Safety assessmentFor more information please visit

Blackberry Farm Animal Centre, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4RJ, United Kingdom