volunteering

Volunteers are essential to our work caring for cats, whether by contributing to our fundraising efforts; providing temporary foster care to our cats and kittens; helping in our cattery; or providing pro bono professional services.

Our success depends on the combined efforts of our paid staff, volunteers and supporters.

All volunteers can expect:

Training, information and supervision to assist in their role
A safe and healthy workplace
The satisfaction of knowing their efforts make a real difference to feline welfare.

The scope of work depends on the volunteer role chosen. Foster carers, for example, interact with Cat Protection staff but are providing care for cats or kittens in their own homes (with food and equipment provided by Cat Protection).

Op Shop volunteers are working in a retail role, sorting, displaying and selling merchandise. Customer service skills are essential.

Feline services volunteers work in a strict infection-control environment, assisting with cleaning (litter trays, laundry, food bowls, toys etc), grooming and socialising cats and kittens on-site at Cat Protection.

Pro bono service providers assist with specific tasks relevant to their qualification (eg a lawyer may be asked to review a contract).

Each volunteer application kit includes information relevant to volunteering in that role. Professionals wishing to offer pro bono services are invited to contact the CEO.

Workplace-sponsored volunteering (one-off occasions) will be considered: please send us an email on the contact form on this website or phone our office.

Where we can, we try to accommodate relevant tertiary student placements but we do not have the resources to accept high school work experience placements.

There is a higher demand for foster carers from Spring to Autumn but Op Shop and feline services volunteers are needed year-round (morning, afternoon or all day shifts). We do ask that for these roles, given the training involved, volunteers make a commitment of at least one shift per fortnight. As a matter of policy, volunteers must be aged at least 16 years, except for foster carers, who must be at least 18 years. We have been approved by Centrelink as a not-for-profit community organisation providing voluntary work opportunities.

Please note that we may not have a vacancy for the volunteer role/shift you are looking for. From time to time we have waiting lists; there are space limitations to how many people can be rostered on at any given time.

A commitment to the vision, mission and values of Cat Protection and compliance with applicable policies and procedures are essential.

support us

volunteering