Working with Animal Welfare

Because many of the voluntary work opportunities are provided by charities all operating under limited funds, people who choose to volunteer in this sector will often find that they are highly appreciated and valued as well as the volunteers themselves getting a lot out of a placement.

The Well-Known Charities

If you’re unsure of where to start, it’s a good idea to do a bit of background research with some of the larger well-known charities. These include:

• The RSPCA
• Blue Cross
• National Animal Welfare Trust
• RSPB
• Worldwide Fund for Nature
• Battersea Dogs Home Trust
• PDSA
• Cats Protection League.

Volunteer Role Finder

Answer a few questions about your interests, skills, and availability and get matched with the types of volunteering that suit you best. Whether you want to work with people, animals, or the environment, we will find your ideal role.

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Animal Welfare Issues

There are those who get more out of working directly with animals, e.g. helping out with kennel duties, feeding or caring for abandoned pets or helping with wounded wildlife but voluntary work is not limited to these activities. On the contrary, charities such as Animal Aid, the League Against Cruel Sports, the IFAW and WSPA are much more involved with campaigning for actual animal rights where their work is more likely to be office-based away from any direct contact with animals. This type of work might appeal to those who don’t necessarily wish to work with animals directly, but who wish to play a more educational role in highlighting animal rights issues and campaigning for their improvement. These issues can include:

• Inhumane slaughtering
• Hunting
• Methods of animal farming
• Dog fighting
• The illegal importation exotic animals
• The overpopulation of domestic animals, which leads to the abandonment of pets.

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Typical Roles

Such are the extent of the problems and issues facing animal welfare charities that the kind of volunteer roles that are available are virtually limitless. In addition to the direct care of unwanted or injured animals as well as fundraising or campaigning, some of the more common roles that animal welfare charities are looking to fill can include:

• Re-homing abandoned pets
• Providing an animal ambulance service
• Investigating and responding to animal cruelty complaints
• Visiting schools and outdoor events to hold educational road shows
• Providing 24 hour emergency phone cover
• Help with training and behavioural problems of pets and much more besides.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Volunteer Role Finder lets you answer a few questions about your interests, skills, and availability and get matched with the types of volunteering that suit you best. Whether you want to work with people, animals, or the environment, we will find your ideal role. Try it now →