Outreach volunteers are volunteers involved in transporting cats to various locations. Duties can involve trapping and releasing feral cats, taking cats/ supplies to new home or generally being out and about sometimes at short notice. Volunteers must be mobile/fit enough to access rural areas, scrubland etc. Driving license preferred as locating and trapping feral cats usually involves going to rural or derelict areas.

Cats Protection is the UK's leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are the centre of everything we do and our objectives are homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters. A BIT ABOUT THIS ROLE Our volunteer drivers provide vital assistance to our branch by transporting equipment, litter, food and even CATS!!. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO DO? - Arranging and transporting, equipment, litter and cat food. - Transporting cats to and from the vets. Collecting them from their homes. - Helping our shop transport good to and from storage. - Collecting donations for our shop. - You will be joining a great group of volunteers, including two other volunteer drivers, based at the Arbroath & Central Angus Branch shelter in Arbroath. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? - A current driver's licence - Good organisation an time management skills. - Knowledge of the local community - Someone happy to drive one of our Cats Protection vans. - The ability to carry and the occasional heavy lifting. - The role may suit a fit retiree for example. TIME EXPECTATION Our volunteer drivers can accept or decline requests for their assistance to fit in with their own commitments. We hope they can offer us a minimum of two - four hours a week in this role. This is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. SUPPORT, GUIDANCE and KEEPING YOU SAFE. At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

Volunteer drivers required to help Caithness Cats protection release or deliver rescued cats. for example volunteers might be required to talk cats to the vets, deliver food or release feral cats again once they have been neutered. etc. Volunteers will have use of Cat protection van or if using their own vehicle travel expenses of 45p per mile given.

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.