Volunteer With Us

Trapper

Role Overview:
Trappers play a vital role in caring for stray and community cats. They help safely capture cats for health checks, neutering, or veterinary treatment, ensuring the welfare of the cat and the safety of the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set traps and bait according to guidance, ensuring the cat can enter safely.
• Sit and monitor traps for extended periods, often in all weathers, remaining patient and alert.
• Transport trapped cats safely to the next location, usually a vet, for health checks and neutering.
• Ensure cats are never left unattended in unsafe conditions; traps must be checked regularly (usually every 30 minutes if leaving temporarily).
• Hide or camouflage yourself and traps as needed, depending on the site and cat behaviour, to avoid stress for the cat and interference from people or other animals.

Skills & Requirements:

• Ability to carry baskets over rough or uneven terrain.
• Patience and calmness — cats may take time to enter the trap.
• Awareness of cat behaviour and ability to remain hidden when needed.
• Commitment to following safety guidelines for both cats and volunteers.
• Flexibility and problem-solving skills to manage unexpected situations.

Additional Notes:

• Trapping can be physically and mentally demanding; volunteers must be prepared for long periods outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Volunteers are part of a support team and will receive guidance and training for specific trapping locations and techniques.

Driver

Role Overview:
Drivers play a vital role in supporting the rescue and care of cats by safely transporting them, supplies, and equipment as needed. This ensures that cats reach veterinary appointments, foster homes, or colonies safely and that our volunteers have the resources they need to carry out their work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transport cats safely to and from vets, rescue locations, or foster homes. Trips may be one-way or return — not every volunteer needs to complete both legs.
• Deliver food, bedding, and other essential supplies to colonies or foster homes.
• Transport traps, equipment, or other resources to trappers and volunteers.
• Ensure all cats are secured safely in carriers during transport and handled calmly to reduce stress.
• Follow any guidance for timing, location, and handling provided by the rescue team.

Skills & Requirements:

• Full, valid driving licence and a reliable vehicle.
• Patience and care when handling cats in carriers.
• Ability to follow instructions and plan routes safely.
• Flexible and dependable, able to assist with one-off or regular transport requests.
• Awareness of health and safety, both for cats and volunteers, during loading and unloading.

Additional Notes:

• Drivers are a key support role — even one trip can make a huge difference.
• Volunteers receive guidance on handling and securing cats for transport, as well as directions to locations.
• Transport duties may involve lifting carriers, bags of food, or traps, so physical capability is helpful.

Foster Carer

Role Overview:
Foster Carers provide a safe, calm, and nurturing environment for cats and kittens while they recover, settle, or await their forever homes. Having a dedicated space — often a spare room — allows cats to feel secure, away from other pets and household stresses, and ensures they receive the care and attention they need.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe and comfortable environment, free from hazards, with clean litter trays and basic equipment supplied by the rescue (food, bedding, bowls, litter, and scoops).

• Assess each cat’s behaviour and needs, helping shy or fearful cats feel safe, providing enrichment and stimulation for playful or boisterous cats, and ensuring insecure cats have a quiet, reassuring space.

• Monitor health and wellbeing, reporting any illness, unusual behaviour, or concerns to the rescue team promptly.

• Collect supplies, transport cats to veterinary appointments, and support rescue transport runs. Only in rare circumstances can we accept fosterers who cannot do these transport tasks.

• Keep the rescue updated on progress, behaviour, and any challenges during the foster period.

Skills & Requirements:

• Calm, patient, and confident approach to support cats with a variety of behaviours.

• Access to a car is essential for transport runs and collecting supplies. Fosterers must live within a 10-mile radius of Thorpe Hesley.

• Commitment to providing care, enrichment, and following guidance from the rescue team.

• Ability to keep the foster environment clean, safe, and secure for the cat(s).

Additional Notes:

• Fosterers play a key role in preparing cats for adoption — both physically and emotionally.

• All food, litter, and essential equipment is provided, but your time, patience, and care are what make the biggest difference.

• Fosterers help us understand each cat’s personality and behaviour, which is vital for matching them to the right forever home.

Colony Feeder/Monitor

Role Overview:
Colony Feeders and Monitors help care for stray and community cats living in colonies across South Yorkshire. They provide food, monitor wellbeing, and assist with health checks and neutering, ensuring the cats stay safe, healthy, and supported in their familiar environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver food to colonies regularly, ensuring it is placed safely and responsibly. Storing food at home is a bonus but not essential.

• Observe the cats’ behaviour and health, alerting the rescue team to any sick or injured cats.

• Trap cats requiring veterinary attention or neutering, transporting them to the vet and returning them safely to the colony after procedures.

• Act responsibly and respectfully around the colony, maintaining the cats’ trust and minimizing stress.

• Work closely with the rescue team to follow guidance for colony management and intervention when needed.

Skills & Requirements:

• Knowledge of cat behaviour and welfare, able to identify illness or distress.

• Physically able to carry food, traps, or cats over rough, uneven, or uncertain terrain.

• Reliable transport for carrying cats to vets or supplies, and ability to manage traps safely.

• Patience and calmness to work with wary or stressed cats.

• Living close to a colony or within reasonable travel distance to support regular visits.

Additional Notes:

• Colony Feeders play a vital role in keeping outdoor cats healthy and safe while reducing unwanted litters through neutering.

• Volunteers must follow the rescue’s advice at all times to ensure the safety of both cats and humans.

• This role requires a mix of care, observation, and occasional hands-on support, making a tangible difference for multiple cats at once.