Volunteer positions

We are looking for special foster parents to help us care for some of the most vulnerable foster animals in our Centre, orphaned kittens who are under six weeks of age and require round the clock care.

Bottle baby kittens (neonates) are completely reliant on their foster parents for all aspects of their care – bottle feeding, toileting, cleaning and warmth. Fostering vulnerable kittens is no small task, it can be very challenging but rewarding job!

• If you can only open your home on a temporary basis, fostering an animal is a great way to rescue an animal in need.
• Every animal that you foster is given a second chance at life – and the more you foster, the more lives you can help save.
• All SPCA foster parents receive training and ongoing support from our Centre Team.
• We supply all food, bedding, toys and everything else to make the animals comfortable while staying in your home.

• Time: Neonates are completely reliant on their parents for feeding and toileting which is required every 2-4 hours, including overnight.
• Availability - After being admitted to the centre, kittens will need to be collected as soon as possible. You will need to be available to collect kittens from our Centre at short notice.
• Transport - You will need your own transport 24/7 to bring foster animals to and from the centre or to an after-hours vet should your foster animal need emergency veterinary treatment in the middle of the night.
• Access to a computer and good computer skills - It is essential that the health and behaviour of the animals in this programme are recorded on a daily basis, this will be done via an online spreadsheet.
• Space - you will need a safe and secure space away from other animals which could be a spare room, bathroom or laundry.
• Consent from your landlord – if you don’t own your home.
• Attend a foster information session at the centre before you start fostering.
• Your love and patience.

• Filling out our application form
• Round the clock care including feeding, cleaning and toileting your foster animals. Fostering can be needed for up to 8 weeks.
• Attending an information session at our centre.
• Picking up your foster animal and required supplies. We’ll give you food, bedding, toys, medicine and anything else it needs
• Giving your foster animal your love, care and patience, and introducing them to a real home life experience, rules and boundaries.
• Completing daily monitoring records online.
• Returning the animal back to the SPCA Centre when they are ready.

If you have any questions, please contact our Invercargill Centre on 03 218 9684, or email us on invercargill.info@spca.nz