Volunteering at the Animal Welfare Centre

Volunteering at Warrington Animal Welfare

Volunteers are the life-blood of charities like Warrington Animal Welfare, there are lots of roles at WAW that we need volunteers to fill.
 
Complete the ‘Volunteer Application form.
 
Warrington Animal Welfare could not continue to run and deliver our positive outcomes without good, reliable, committed and enthusiastic volunteers.
 
Volunteering can improve your CV, allow you to meet new people, to fulfil your passion to help animals, learn new skills or help with a career change!  Whatever your reason to join us, be assured that you will be truly valued by us all!

We have a variety of volunteering roles both at and away from the centre:

  • General centre assistant – helping out with all aspects inc. cleaning (cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs)
  • Centre assistant – cats / rabbits 
  • Centre assistant – dedicated to rabbits/guinea pigs
  • Kennel assistant & dog walking
  • Fundraising - helping out at events / running own events
  • Campaigns – delivering leaflets, attending events, putting up posters
  • Home-checking 
  • Centre maintenance – small DIY jobs, painting
  • Gardening - maintaining the rockery, beds, flower pots and mowing
  • Driving - animals to vets appointments etc.
  • Driving - helping set up events e.g. gazebo and dismantle
  • Administration - filing, accounts, updating microchips, gift aid
  • Taking calls from the public 
  • Marketing - social media, website, newsletters, writing articles
Full training will be given for all volunteering roles.

Volunteer Eligibility

Volunteers must be aged 18+ and able to work unsupervised, understand processes and follow instructions.
Unfortunately we are not able to support individuals or groups who require supervision or care and are not able to work unsupervised.  Volunteers must be able to understand issues in regards their own and other people’s health and safety in regards to handling animals, the use of cleaning chemicals and general on site safety. You will be required to provide a reference, this can be an employer/ex-employer or a person of good standing, but not a family member.  Applications will not be continued without a reference.

Our Current Volunteer Vacancies

Although we are always looking for dedicated volunteers, we currently are short in the following areas:
  • Dog walkers (weekday afternoons): Must be physically fit, have experience and be confident with dogs of all sizes and able to commit to regular attendance on a weekly basis.
  • Cattery assistants / general help (weekday afternoons)
  • Rabbit / Small Animals section assistants.
Once we have received your application form we will invite you to attend an induction session.

Volunteer Induction Sessions

We hold information/induction sessions for new/prospective volunteers which covers; about WAW, a tour of the building, health & safety, the role and support system.  You are unable to start volunteering at WAW until you have attended one of these sessions and signed your induction form.  Following the induction session, you be given the opportunity to agree a suitable start date. 
 
Those wanting to work with dogs will be invited to attend an additional 'Dog Handling / Walking' session. 

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you expect me to volunteer?

You can volunteer the amount of time that suits you.  At the centre we split each day into two shifts 8.30am-12.30pm and 12.30-5pm – volunteers can do half a shift a week up to a full week if they choose and anything in-between.  However if you commit to a shift we do expect you to attend, otherwise this puts pressure on the other staff/volunteers.
 
We operate a week a rota system, which will be explained to you during your induction – where you can sign up to shifts the following week.  However most people tend to do a regular shift/day e.g. every Thursday or every Sunday morning.
Our dogs are walked twice a day at about 10am and 2pm so time commitment for dog walkers may vary.  However most dog walkers help out with the cleaning and feeding in the kennels and other ad hoc duties around the site.
 
We do expect all volunteers to be willing to help out/support activities away from the rescue centree.g. helping out at fundraising events, manning a stall at community event etc. as raising both money and awareness of the charity is key to the secure future of WAW.  This could be a couple of hours on a Saturday at a carnival, or helping set up a gazebo for an events etc.

What experience do I need to volunteer at Warrington Animal Welfare?

No previous experience is needed.  However volunteers must be comfortable around a variety of animals, be able to take direction/follow set processes and be willing to undertake variety of tasks as required.

I have never volunteered for an animal charity before, I am worried I won’t know what to do?

Before you start any practical work you will have attended an induction session, which includes a tour of the centre. 
 
After the induction we will arrange a start date for you to come and start. On your first day you will shadow an experienced volunteer/staff member who will train you how to do specific jobs. Over your first few visits you will be shown all the jobs until you are confident that you are able to complete them on your own.
 
For people interested in dog walking an additional dog walking/behaviour session will be arranged.
 
If you would like to get involved in other activities e.g. home-checking, admin etc. then further more specific training will be discussed and arranged at that time.

Do the volunteers get together socially?

Great friendships have been made at WAW and we do get together socially and have fun away from the centre.
 
Register to volunteer at Warrington Animal Welfare