Role Purpose
To assist animal welfare staff in maintaining the welfare of dogs in our care through tasks including cleaning kennels, laundry, making up feeds, in-kennel enrichment, and dog walking.
What would I be doing?
- Cleaning kennels
- Preparing meals for the dogs, washing up feeding equipment
- Helping to restock food, blankets, and toys
- Provide exercise and enrichment to alleviate stress
- Reporting any health or behaviour observations
- Helping to walk dogs
- Undertake basic dog training in accordance with Battersea training methods if required & trained to do so
- Other kennel-related tasks as requested by Battersea staff
What we need from you?
- Good physical fitness to carry out the tasks with this role e.g., cleaning kennels
- Good communication skills with the ability to listen and take instruction
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team?
- Someone who is comfortable around all sizes of dogs
What this role will offer you?
- Support and training provided throughout
- Training in Battersea’s canine welfare and training methods
- The opportunity to gain experience within an animal charity
- Learn great new skills to add to your CV
- We reimburse any out-of-pocket travel expenses you may incur whilst volunteering with us
Time commitment
-One day a week, on the same day each week, from 8:30am to 12:30pm or 1:30pm to 4:30pm. We ask that volunteers stay in this role for at least 6 months. For the application process you will need to be available to attend an online information and assessment session on either 25th Feb or 1st March. If successful post information and assessment session you need to be available to attend an on site ( Battersea Brands Hatch, TN15 7HH ) all day induction and training session on 5th March or 8th March. You will also need to attend one 3 month training session either on 25th June or 28th June.
Before registering your interest for this role, carefully consider whether you feel able to carry out this role as you will be working with all dogs who come into the Battersea and will therefore encounter dogs who are put to sleep due to behavioural reasons, medical reasons or due to the dog being classed as coming under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as an illegal breed.
Please also be aware that this is a physically demanding role that involves a considerable amount of cleaning. It is also a rewarding role and can make a huge difference to the dogs in our care.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in this role, please complete our online application form.
We are dedicated to making our volunteer recruitment process inclusive to everybody. If you require any additional support through any stage of application to this role, please let us know when you complete our application form. This will mean we can provide reasonable support required for you to flourish in our application process.
*Please note - you must be over 18 to volunteer at Battersea.
We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments and alleviating any stress during the recruitment process for those with physical and neuro diversities, whether this is adjusting environments, sensory preferences, answering questions or adapting communication styles. If you require adaptive support with your application, please email n.sewell@battersea.org.uk or call 01474 875 113. Any declaration of any disabilities or differences will be treated confidentially and compassionately.