Volunteering

The RSPCA Cardiff to Swansea Branch consists of the animal centre and twelve charity shops. In order to keep a good supply of stock moving to the shops and to ensure that all our logistical needs are met we have a team of van drivers and assistants.

What would the role involve?

• Collecting donated items to sell in our charity shops
• Exchanging collection boxes
• Collecting food donations from supermarkets
• Delivering collection bags to houses

Please note:
To allow us to plan our logistics effectively we require volunteers to commit to regular shifts of at least a full day a week.
Training will be given in all relevant aspects of Health and Safety and Manual Handling (including animal handling if required)
This role includes a great amount of manual handling and lifting. A volunteer for this role must be in good physical health.
This position does not require a driving license as you will be working with a driver.

Apply Here

How you can help us?

In order to raise money at Llys Nini Animal Centre and promote good animal welfare, we organise, hold and are involved with many events throughout the year for which we always need much help and support.

What would your role involve?

We would make you aware of any upcoming event and if you are able and would like to help out in any way, we would be extremely grateful. This role covers such a wide and varied area of volunteering, you would easily be able to find a suitable and enjoyable role.

Activities include:

Organising and holding stalls on our open days, fayres and occasionally at local shows.
Giving up a few hours to stand at a retail outlet with a collection box.
Maybe you make something for us to sell and raise money from, baked goods, knitted items or arts and crafts creations.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present 

How you can help us?

Our main aim at Llys Nini Animal Centre is to find all our rescued and rehabilitated animals new loving homes. The adoption process has a series of stages and one of the most important stages is a home visit. This helps us to ensure a new home is suitable as well as being an opportunity to get to know a little more about the adopter and their situation.
We rehome around 600 cats and dogs every year and we only have a small team of regular home visitors.

What would your role involve?

Most visitors cover the area local to where they live but many others have their own vehicle and choose to cover a much wider area.
You would be visiting adopters in their own home to discuss their suitability for the pet they have selected.
You would be required to attend a ‘Home visiting’ training course before undertaking any home visits.
You would need to be familiar with and follow at all times the RSPCA Llys Nini’s re-homing policies, guidelines and procedures.
You would be required to make contact with a potential adopter within 48 hours of receiving the request for a home visit ensure the visit is completed within 7 days.
You would need to report the finding of the home visit promptly.
You would be required to complete all documentation neatly and accurately and return it to the animal centre as soon as possible following the completion of the home visit.
You would need to be familiar with and follow at all times the guidelines for personal safety as laid down by the branch and the re-homing guidelines.
You would be required to act at all times as a good ambassador for the branch and the national Society, supporting its policies and aims whilst on RSPCA business.
If you use your own vehicle for volunteering, you would need to check with your motor insurer to ensure you are covered for this purpose.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present 

How you can help us?

Volunteers are often the first point of contact when a customer enters the shop and a cheery welcome is really important, as is providing polite and helpful assistance thus ensuring the customer journey is a positive experience.

What would your role involve?

As a volunteer, you will be an invaluable team member in supporting the running of the shops. For instance you could be sorting donated goods, steaming clothes, helping to keep the shop well stocked, assisting with shop displays or helping to keep the shop clean and tidy. You will have opportunities to help on shop floor – serving customers, operating the till and cash handling. Whatever your talent – we will find good use for it!
We welcome anyone who can make a positive contribution to our charity – all the funds you help us raise go back into the charity to help animals within the Cardiff to Swansea areas. We can help provide experience for someone looking for a career in the retail business; we can help you build up your confidence or social skills to return to full time work; we can provide a social outlet and an opportunity to make friends. You can be part of a great organisation giving your time for such a good cause.
We welcome all who would like to volunteer – full training will be provided. All we ask for is a regular commitment in return.
Reasonable out of pocket expenses are reimbursed with the Manager’s prior approval.
We are looking for volunteers in all of our shops – Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Mumbles, Gorseinon, Carmarthen, Llanelli, Porthcawl, Bridgend, Cardiff Canton, Cardiff Albany Road, Cardiff Wellfield Road

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present

How you can help us?

We have a large site at the Llys Nini Animal Centre with over 42 dog kennels, over 40 cat pens and various other buildings. We have a great amount green area which also needs much maintenance and care.
Our current maintenance staff work tirelessly to keep the centre clean, tidy and in full working order but being such a huge task, we are looking for volunteers willing to help us keep our centre in tip top condition.

What would your role involve?

To assist with the upkeep of the beds, borders and garden areas around the centre. This role is for working around reception and the animal blocks, rather than the wider 78 acre site.

Activities include:

Assisting with the maintenance of the planted areas of the centre by planting, weeding, grass cutting and raking, pruning and other light gardening work, as directed by the manager or other staff members.
Assisting with any new planting projects, and maintaining ongoing ones (e.g. our rabbits’ edible garden)
Preparing garden areas ahead of any open days or events that might see increased public on site
Following all health and safety rules and guidelines, ensuring that any accidents or incidents are reported immediately, using the procedure set down by the Centre.
We are looking for volunteers willing to help us at least three hours per week ideally on a Wednesday
Health and safety training will be given along with full training on any required equipment.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present 

How you can help us?

We have a large site at the Llys Nini Animal Centre with over 42 dog kennels, over 40 cat pens and various other buildings. We have a great amount of green area which also needs much maintenance and care.
Our current maintenance staff work tirelessly to keep the centre clean, tidy and in full working order but being such a huge task, we are looking for volunteers willing to help us keep our centre in tip top condition.

What would your role involve?

Assisting with the maintenance of the grounds attached to the site, which cover some 78 acres including grasslands, woodlands and wetlands.
Some activities will be infrastructural, such as path laying/maintenance, leaf blowing, grass cutting and occasionally building structures such as bridges, fences, gates and boardwalks.
Some activities will be environmental in nature, such as tree planting, coppicing, scrub clearance, hedgerow maintenance, and others.
Some activities will involve the running of the site, such as emptying dog waste bins
We are looking for volunteers willing to help us at least four hours per week between Monday and Friday
Health and safety training will be given along with full training on any required equipment.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present 

We occasionally need foster homes for:

• Pregnant female dogs expecting a litter.
• Lactating females with young litters.
• Lone puppies (up to 6 months)
• Orphaned Puppies (from 0-8 weeks

How you can help us?

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. There may be times that there are no dogs requiring fostering but when there are we need fosterers on standby if there is a need. As a foster dog/puppy, all medical costs are covered by Llys Nini as well as food and general treatments such as worming and deflea.

What would your role involve?

Providing care and suitable housing in a safe environment for dogs while they are in foster care in accordance with Society policies and guidelines.
Feeding, watering, exercising and grooming dogs as appropriate.
Providing suitable bedding (supplied if required).
Taking a foster animal for veterinary check ups at our local vet and to Llys Nini for regular health checks too.

The skills you need

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.
Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial and experience of caring for dogs is essential.
You will need a secure garden and plenty of time to spend with the dogs.
Your family must be fully supportive.
If you have existing animals they must be spayed/neutered unless there are medical reasons why they can’t be.
We would need for a foster carer to live fairly local to the branch, which is in Penllergaer, Swansea, SA4 9WB.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present

How you can help us?

We have a team of three to four kennel staff working every day on three different blocks. We have up to 57 dogs at any one time and we have to ensure that all their needs are met, physically and behaviourally. We also aim to make their time with us as happy and productive as possible.

What would your role involve?

Helping our kennel team means that the all the essential tasks are completed more quickly meaning extra time to spend with the animals. Our kennel staff do a variety of exercises and enrichment plans with the dogs to help them to develop, gain new skills and start resolving any issues they have before they go to a new home. By volunteering on the kennels, your time and energies will directly benefit our residents, you will be helping us to keep them happy and satisfied whilst they look for new homes.
We are looking for volunteers who want to do “the whole package” we have found that this is more rewarding as you will be working directly with the kennel staff doing all the tasks they do and getting more involved. As you will be working more closely with the team, there is much more chance to learn and develop new skills.

Activities include:

• Cleaning kennels on a daily basis, mopping, hosing and ensuring all bedding is clean, maintaining clean kennels throughout the day
• Walking and socialising dogs (minimum 15 minutes) through woodland and fields
• Following dietary plans to prepare a range of dog food
• Sorting and cleaning bedding in laundry room throughout the day
• Recognising and managing a range of dog behaviours, helping with training plans

Volunteer Requirements

• Confidence and compassion with a range of dogs
• Physically ability to manage uneven terrain and clothing / footwear for all weather conditions
• Ability to work independently
• Awareness of health and safety and ability to follow instructions
• Commitment to attend on identified days starting at 9am
• Good walking boots/wellingtons required as grounds can become quite muddy

How do I get involved?

As inducting and training new volunteers has a financial cost to the Branch we urge anyone considering voluntary work not to apply without giving it some thought. Before applying, please ask yourself the following:

• Do I have good mobility?
• Am I able to manage much bending, stretching and walking without difficulty?
• Am I a confident and outgoing yet calm person?
• Do I possess basic literacy and numeracy skills?
• Am I willing to learn about dog training and behaviour and to learn the skills required to work with the dogs?
• Am I smart, polite, patient and able to work well as part of a team?
• If the answer to any of the above is “no”, perhaps this role is not right for you.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present

How you can help us?

Helping our small animal team means that the all the essential tasks are completed more quickly meaning extra time to spend with the animals. By volunteering on the small animals, your time and energies will directly benefit our residents, you will be helping us to keep them happy and satisfied and keep them physically and mentally stimulated whilst they look for new homes.

What would your role involve?

Assist staff in carrying out thorough cleaning of rabbit, ferret pens on a daily basis including litter trays.
Following dietary plans to prepare a range of measured feeds throughout the day.
Sorting and cleaning bedding.
Socialise with rabbits and ferrets whilst recognising behaviours that need monitoring.
Ensure that correct personal protective equipment is used at all times

Volunteer Requirements

• Confidence and compassion with the animals
• Good standards of hygiene in the animal housing
• Ability to carry out tasks with minimum supervision
• Awareness of health and safety and ability to follow instructions
• Commitment to attend on identified days and times starting at 9am until 1pm minimum

How do I get involved?

As inducting and training new volunteers has a financial cost to the Branch we urge anyone considering voluntary work not to apply without giving it some thought. Before applying, please ask yourself the following:

• Can I manage much bending, stretching and walking without difficulty
• Am I a confident and outgoing yet calm person?
• Do I possess basic literacy and numeracy skills?
• Am I willing to learn about rabbit and ferret behaviour and to learn the skills required to work with the small animals?
• Am I smart, polite, patient and able to work well as part of a team?

If the answer to any of the above is “no”, perhaps this role is not right for you.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present

How you can help us?

To ensure that Llys Nini Animal Centre’s reception runs smoothly, volunteers are an invaluable part of our team by helping assist our reception staff.

What would your role involve?

As the title suggests the primary function of our reception staff is to “receive” customers. This may include people physically arriving at the Centre as well as on the telephone and via email. Although this is our primary function we have many other responsibilities which occur during our working day which include:
Keeping the reception area clean and tidy
Keeping our shop stocked
Shop sales using a till
Accepting donations from the public (shop goods, animal food as well as monetary donations)
Although the Centre is a great place to work and you would be joining a very friendly team, reception work does put you on the front line dealing with all types of people. It is possible that whilst working on reception you may be from time to time faced with challenging customers, emotional blackmail, graphic descriptions of animal cruelty/suffering and sometimes not being able to offer the help you would like. It is imperative that at all times we try to be empathetic and calm but assertive and always try to help as well as we can.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present  

How you can help us?

We have a team of two cattery staff working every day. We can have up to 72 cats on site and we have to ensure that all their needs are met both physically and behaviourally. We always aim to make their time with us as happy and productive as possible.

What would your role involve?

Helping our cattery team means that the all the essential tasks are completed more quickly meaning extra time to spend with the animals. Our cattery staff do a variety of activities and enrichment plans with the cats to keep them physically and mentally stimulated and we start resolving any behavioural issues they have before they go to a new home. By volunteering on the cattery, your time and energies will directly benefit our residents, you will be helping us to keep them happy and satisfied whilst they look for new homes.
We would like volunteers who want to do “the whole package” we have found that this is more rewarding as you will be working directly with the cattery staff doing all the tasks they do and getting more involved. As you will be working more closely with the team, there is much more chance to learn and develop new skills

Activities include:

• Assist staff in carrying out thorough cleaning of cat pens on a daily basis including cat litter trays
• Following dietary plans to prepare a range of measured feeds throughout the day
• Sorting and cleaning bedding
• Engaging with a range of cats whilst recognising behaviours that need monitoring
• Ensure that correct personal protective equipment is used at all times

Volunteer Requirements

• Confidence and compassion with a range of cats
• Good standards of hygiene in the animal housing
• Ability to carry out tasks with minimum supervision
• Awareness of health and safety and ability to follow instructions
• Commitment to attend on identified days and times starting at 9am until 1pm minimum

How do I get involved?

As inducting and training new volunteers has a financial cost to the Branch we urge anyone considering voluntary work not to apply without giving it some thought. Before applying, please ask yourself the following:

• Can I manage much bending, stretching and walking without difficulty?
• Am I a confident and outgoing yet calm person?
• Do I possess basic literacy and numeracy skills?
• Am I willing to learn about cat behaviour and to learn the skills required to work with the cats?
• Am I smart, polite, patient and able to work well as part of a team?

If the answer to any of the above is “no”, perhaps this role is not right for you.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present 

How you can help us?

We have a team of three to four kennel staff working every day on three different blocks. We have up to 57 dogs at any one time and we have to ensure that all their needs are met, physically and behaviourally. We also aim to make their time with us as happy and productive as possible.

What would your role involve?

Helping our kennel team by walking and socialising with the dogs at Llys Nini. We have a fantastic site of 78 acres to walk the dogs.

Activities include:

• Walking dogs (minimum 15 minutes twice a day) through woodland and fields
• Rotating dogs in exercise runs
• Recognising and managing a range of dog behaviour

Volunteer Requirements

• Confidence and compassion with a range of dogs
• Physically ability to manage uneven terrain and clothing / footwear for all weather conditions
• Ability to work independently
• Commitment to attend on identified days
• Good walking boots/wellingtons required as grounds can become quite muddy

How do I get involved?

As inducting and training new volunteers has a financial cost to the Branch we urge anyone considering voluntary work not to apply without giving it some thought. Before applying, please ask yourself the following:

• Do I have good mobility?
• Am I a confident and outgoing yet calm person?
• Do I possess basic literacy and numeracy skills?
• Am I willing to learn about dog training and behaviour and to learn the skills required to work with the dogs?
• Am I smart, polite, patient and able to work well as part of a team?

If the answer to any of the above is “no”, perhaps this role is not right for you.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present

How you can help us?

We have a team of two cattery staff working every day. We can have up to 72 cats on site and we have to ensure that all their needs are met both physically and behaviourally. We always aim to make their time with us as happy and productive as possible.

What would your role involve?

Helping our cattery team by socialising with the cats in the cattery. Our cattery staff do a variety of activities and enrichment plans with the cats to keep them physically and mentally stimulated and we start resolving any behavioural issues they have before they go to a new home. By volunteering on the cattery, your time and energies will directly benefit our residents, you will be helping us to keep them happy and satisfied whilst they look for new homes.

Typical Tasks

• Spend at least 15 minutes with each cat and recognising and reporting behaviours that need monitoring
• Ensure that correct personal protective equipment is used at all times

Volunteer Requirements

• Confidence and compassion with a range of cats
• Good standards of hygiene in the animal housing
• Ability to carry out tasks with minimum supervision
• Awareness of health and safety and ability to follow instructions
• Commitment to attend on identified days

How do I get involved?

As inducting and training new volunteers has a financial cost to the Branch we urge anyone considering voluntary work not to apply without giving it some thought. Before applying, please ask yourself the following:

• Can I manage much bending, stretching and walking without difficulty?
• Am I a confident and outgoing yet calm person?
• Do I possess basic literacy and numeracy skills?
• Am I willing to learn about cat behaviour and to learn the skills required to work with the cats?
• Am I smart, polite, patient and able to work well as part of a team?

If the answer to any of the above is “no”, perhaps this role is not right for you.

We currently have no vacancies in this role at present