Volunteering

“We are indebted to those people who volunteer their time and skills to help us deliver our range of animal welfare services.”

In 2009, volunteers gave nearly 150 000 hours of their time to The Blue Cross. We recognise how important volunteers are and we are committed to ensuring that all volunteers are effectively involved, and properly acknowledged for the generous gift of their time and expertise.

VOLUNTEER ROLES

Whether young or old, retired or working, a student, a mother or grandfather, volunteering is a great option whatever your age, interests or background. The work of a volunteer is varied and depends on the skills and preferences of the individual, so as long as you share our passion for animals, you’ll find an area to help that’s right for you.

Roles include lending a hand with: adoption centres, equine centres, animal hospitals, pet fostering schemes, home visits, children’s education, fundraising, events, admin, pet bereavement support. To enquire about these roles, see contact details below.

Note: Not all opportunities are available in all areas, so please ask when applying. The Blue Cross is able to offer some volunteer roles from 14 years old, however in many cases, due to health and safety reasons, higher age limits are in place - please ask when you apply.

For more information, view our online volunteering information pack.

VOLUNTEER STORIES

• Listen to our volunteering podcast to hear about some of the different roles of Blue Cross volunteers
• Nicky Ireland - adoption centre volunteer
• Rachel Brearley – pet foster carer
• James and Tricia Pugh – education work
• Wakako Machida – helping horses
• Bob Frost and Trevor Philp – charity shops
• Alan Hendley – fundraising with a difference
• Rita O'Sullivan - hospital volunteer
• Karen Pettet - volunteer pet fosterer
• Angela Rain - education volunteer

ENQUIRE ABOUT VACANCIES OR MORE INFORMATION

General enquires
Contact us using this online form or call Karen Allsop on 01993 825519.

The Blue Cross is able to offer some volunteer roles from 14 years old, however in many cases, due to health and safety reasons, higher age limits are in place - please ask when you apply.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in your area, or our national volunteering projects, please contact:

• Volunteering in London: call Jill on 020 7932 2377 or 07776 461902. Please note the minimum age in the London hospitals is 18 years old and there are no roles working directly with animals
• Volunteering in Devon: call Sally on 07826 914601
• Volunteering in Oxfordshire: call Emma on 07990 671738

Adoption centres, equine centres, and hospitals
Our adoption centres, equine centres, and hospitals each have their own volunteer co-ordinator. Please refer to the centres’ pages (available from the drop down list at the top of the site) for telephone numbers.

Pet fostering scheme
Call 01993 825542 or email fostering@bluecross.org.uk. For more information, download our Foster carers and coordinators leaflet.

Children's educational speakers
Call 01993 825 596, email education@bluecross.org.uk. For more information, download our volunteering as a children's speaker leaflet.

Charity shops
Call 01993 825595 or email shops@bluecross.org.uk

Fundraising, shows and events
Call 020 7932 4071 or email events@bluecross.org.uk

Pet Bereavement Support Service
Call on 01993 825539 or email pbss@bluecross.org.uk