Written by Spencer Slater
Aurora Copywriting
Volunteering With The RSPCA
In 2025, RSPCA Hull and East Riding rehabilitated, and rehomed 235 cats and dogs who’d previously been subjected to cruelty, abandonment or neglect.
We couldn’t do what we do without the time, dedication, and compassion given by our volunteers. Volunteering with RSPCA Hull & East Riding is not just a way to help animals, but it is also about being part of a supportive community. You can learn new skills and know that your contribution is making a real difference.
What kind of people volunteer with us?
All kinds of people give up some of their spare time to volunteer with RSPCA Hull and East Riding.
They may be animal lovers who want to give something back to their community, newly retired and looking for new challenges, people wanting to gain experience of working with animals or within the voluntary sector, and those seeking to improve their wellbeing by doing something meaningful.
Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, and share your experience with a great animal welfare charity.
A Wide Range of Roles
We have a diverse range of volunteer roles at RSPCA Hull and East Riding. At the heart of our branch are the animal care volunteers. They help to care for dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes. This might include feeding, cleaning, socialising animals, and taking dogs out of kennels for walks.
But there are other ways to support our work, such as working in charity shops and distribution centre, assisting with serving customers, and sorting out donations.
Volunteers also help by organising fundraising events, carrying out administrative work, maintaining our grounds and buildings, and with community engagement.
Current roles include:
- Charity Shop Volunteers – Our shops are a vital source of income for the animals in our care. Volunteers help sort donations, create eye-catching displays, and offer brilliant customer service. No retail experience? No problem — we’ll show you the ropes!
- Fundraising & Events Volunteers – Help bring our events to life and support our fundraising efforts across Hull & East Riding. From bucket collections to community stalls and big events, this is a great way to meet people and make a real impact.
- Gardener Volunteers – Love being outdoors? Help maintain our rescue centre grounds — from mowing lawns to planting flowers, you’ll help create a calming, green space for our animals and visitors alike.
- Online Seller Volunteers – Turn preloved items into vital funds! Help us research, list, and sell donated goods online via platforms like eBay and Vinted — a perfect role for those who prefer to volunteer from home.
Remote roles and corporate team volunteering opportunities are also available, making volunteering accessible to people with limited time who still want to make a meaningful contribution.
Fostering is another incredible way for people to help. Having a safe, loving, temporary home can be a crucial step in an animal’s journey towards a forever home. Foster homes can be particularly helpful for animals that need extra care and recovery time, or who find kennels stressful.
The impact of volunteering
Volunteers make a huge contribution across our charity. In 2025 alone, volunteers carried out 14,420 hours of volunteering, which equates to over £170,000 in paid staff time.
It’s not just the animals and the organisation that benefit from volunteering. Our volunteers themselves report improved wellbeing and are proud to be making a positive impact on the community.
Beyond the practical impact, volunteering also benefits those who give their time helping to improve wellbeing and helping to positively impact the world.
Sue, one of our cattery volunteers, sums this up perfectly: “After the first week, they gradually come out of their shell and start to trust you. It’s lovely to see that. Then eventually you get to see them go to a new home and be loved – that’s what it’s all about.”
Experiences like Sue’s are common among our volunteers, as they witness first-hand the transformation that kindness and patience bring to the animals in our care.
Becoming an RSPCA Hull and East Riding volunteer not only brings emotional rewards but offers the opportunity to meet like-minded people who all share a passion for improving the welfare of animals.
How to get involved
It’s easy to get started. Prospective volunteers are asked to complete an application form and attend an informal interview which is designed to find a role that best suits their interests and availability. Depending on the role, we may request referees.
The branch team is always happy to help and work to make the application process as friendly and supportive as possible.
If you’d like to join a team that makes a real difference, now is the perfect time to get involved
You can find more information about volunteering for the RSPCA here, or alternatively please email our volunteer.coordinator@rspcahull.org.uk and our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch.
Start your journey with us today by completing an application form below, and become part of the RSPCA Hull and East Riding team.
