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.
• Please note: The kittens cannot travel outside of the home (except when coming to the SPCA) so Foster Parents must commit to being home to feed and toilet these animals
• 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 Napier 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
• 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. We may contact your landlord to check that you may have animals on the property
• Hands-on training – Be available to attend hands-on training from our team before taking the kittens home
• Your love and patience

• Filling out our application form and a quick chat with our team over the phone
• Around-the-clock care including feeding, cleaning and toileting your foster animals
• Hands on training before taking the kitten/kittens home
• 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 paper daily monitoring sheets
• Returning the animal back to the SPCA Centre when they are ready

If you have any questions, please contact our foster team on 027 557 3349 or hamilton.foster@spca.nz