Volunteer.
Our volunteers are the backbone of our branch!
Giving nearly 1,000 hours a month, our incredible volunteers work alongside staff to raise funds, care for rescued animals, and run services that support people and pets in our community.
Whatever you do one thing is certain - it’s a truly rewarding experience!
Help animals get back on their paws!
Joining us as a volunteer gives you the opportunity to use your skills, interests, and passion to help animals in a time and way that suits you. From cleaning cat pods to walking dogs, baking cakes, steaming clothes, and manning event stands, every hour that you gift us is converted into either direct care for a rescued pet, or generating funds to provide essentials like food and veterinary treatment.
We are always looking for enthusiastic animal-loving people to join our family of volunteers. Take a look at the current available roles or email us at volunteering@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk to discuss particular interests or skills that you would like to share with us.
Whether you are seeking regular, or occasional volunteering opportunities, we’ll do our best to find a role that is right for you.
Martlesham Animal Centre
Our purpose-built Animal Centre at Martlesham cares for dogs, cats, small furries and birds; with around 90 animals in our direct care at any one time.
Our animal care team works hard to provide not only the welfare needs of animals in our care but also rehabilitation to give them the best possible chance of finding a new forever home.
The team need regular help with cleaning, laundry, dog walking, cat socialisation, window cleaning, vehicle checks etc. at our Rehoming Centre.
As well as roles at our rehoming centre we urgently need home visitors who can assist with the pet adoption process by doing pre- and post-adoption visits.
Our shops
RSPCA Suffolk Central has five charity shops. One even features a dog-friendly coffee shop! Charity shop volunteers have fun rummaging through preloved treasure and offer helpful and engaging customer service to help raise thousands of pounds a year for our cause.
You can get involved too by shopping, donating or volunteering at an RSPCA charity shop in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket or Bury St Edmunds.
We not only need help with store assistants, but also behind the scenes with sorting, steaming and pricing stock, listing items for sale online, as well as stock collectors and drivers to circulate stock between our shops.
Events
We run several fundraising events a year – from quiz nights to dog shows.
We always need help from volunteers with event promotion, set up and dismantling stalls, manning stands, baking cakes, car park marshalling or running raffles!
Store collections
Vital for fundraising and awareness within the community, our team needs help with store co-ordination, collection donations and handing our leaflets and promoting our events.
We usually run one collection per month, so if you have a couple of hours to spare every now and again, we’d love to hear from you.
We are looking for Volunteer Store Collection Co-ordinators to help plan and organise these collections in both the East Suffolk area (Felixstowe to Needham Market) and West Suffolk area (Stowmarket to Bury St Edmunds) to co-ordinate with the stores on the day, prepare the collection buckets and liaise with the volunteer collection team.
Ipswich Welfare Clinic
Run from central Ipswich twice a week (on Tuesdays and Fridays), we need help with administration and reception duties, as well as cleaning, general maintenance and gardening.
Home visitors
With the help of our home visit volunteers, the Branch completed over 380 pre and post-home visits in 2023.
Not only is it incredibly rewarding to see an animal happily settled in their new forever home but it also enables our animal care team to give more time to the rescued residents at Martlesham.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Pippa, Dog Walking Volunteer
What I love about volunteering at the centre is, well, everything really. I love being in a place that really, truly cares. The animals always come first, and the staff are all so dedicated to their furry, feathered (or otherwise) friends. The centre is such an important place to me, and I am truly grateful for every second I spend there.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Sarah, Events Volunteer
I’ve volunteered for 3 years as I love the opportunities it gives me to meet new people and bring all the skills I’ve developed over the years to help such a wonderful cause.
I regularly help the Events team with manning stalls, event set up, marshalling, etc. – whatever the RSPCA needs me to do!
I’ve always been a huge animal lover, especially dogs, and helping a charity that supports animals in need across Suffolk was the perfect fit.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Our super-man Brian!
I started volunteering with the RSPCA Suffolk Central ranch as a post-home visit officer about 4 years ago. I enjoy seeing animals settled in their new environment and it’s always lovely to hear and see how content the new owners are. My latest visit was last week and it was nice to speak to the owner about the joys of having pets and the company they offer.
I have done a little more with the RSPCA recently. I’ve been a quiz master, marathon marshal and have helped on the stalls on fun days! I work full-time as an accountant and also volunteer as a football coach. Finding time can be tricky but I help out when I can knowing that every hour I can give makes a big difference. I love to know that by volunteering I am part of the team helping animals in need.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Sue, Cattery Volunteer and Fosterer
Over the years I have fostered 38 cats. It is always nice to see a cat come out of its shell and find a new, loving home. They are always greatly missed when someone adopts them but there is always another cat needing some help.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Richard's Story
After I lost my wife, and then my Labrador of 14 years, and also being retired I needed to do something to get myself out of the house.
My main role with the RSPCA is as a Home Visitor. I really enjoy seeing the animals in their new homes and meeting their adopters and hearing their stories.
I also help at events where I meet up with other volunteers, who have now become friends, and we meet the general public.
Molly, the minature Dachshund that I babysit for occasionally comes with me for a couple of hours for store collections where she ‘encourages’ the public to donate!
It gives me a warm feeling that I am helping the RSPCA change the lives of so many animals.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Tracey, Home Visitor Volunteer
I have volunteered as a home visitor for many years, checking the suitability for rehoming a dog or cat, and often visit afterwards to see how their new family member has settled in. The only problem is that I often want to take the animal home with me instead!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Jack, Dog Walking Volunteer
We find volunteers in lots of different ways, but Jack’s story is pretty unique!
“As part of my official role as a firefighter, we were invited to the RSPCA family fun day earlier in the year. Whilst at the event, we were introduced to a wonderful dog Dawn, who is currently in their care. If I could have put Dawn on the truck that day and brought her home, I honestly would have.
Although I have a pet of my own, I am unable to adopt at this moment in time but I wanted to be able to help Dawn and the other dogs however I could. This is when I got back in touch with the RSPCA branch, who mentioned becoming a volunteer.
Although I am not local to the area, I can dedicate some of my time around my shifts to volunteer. I absolutely love getting to spend time with the dogs, help out the kennel team and especially to visit Dawn regularly!”
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Fran, the new recruit
I’d long wanted to start volunteering when I contacted Jane from the RSCPA Suffolk Central branch and, after having a chat with her I was decided upon volunteering for the charity, and currently assist the events team.
I am unable to assist directly with all events, however I still find a way to contribute to them. In the future, I hope to volunteer at the Animal Centre.
HELP & ADVICE
Volunteer FAQs
How do I apply to be a volunteer?
Contact us by email to find out more about a role or request an application form – or you can download a form below.
Complete your application form and either email it to volunteering@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk or post your form to RSPCA Suffolk Central branch, 2 Mill Lane, Martlesham, Suffolk IP12 4PD to begin your volunteering journey today.
We will then contact you to guide you through the process to get you started in a role that suits you.
Email us Apply todayWhat volunteer vacancies do you currently have?
We are always looking for volunteers to join us.
Take a look at our current vacancies page or contact us on volunteering@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk to discuss particular opportunities, interests or skills that you would like to explore with us.
Our job roles Email usHow much time do I have to commit to volunteer?
As much as you are willing to give! Some volunteers give upwards of three shifts a week at a charity shop, others join us once a year for a few hours to help at an event. Whether you are seeking a regular volunteering opportunity, one-off or occasional volunteering, we are happy to help find a role that works for you.
Contact us on volunteering@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk about your specific interests. Please note, for training purposes volunteers at our animal home are preferred to offer at least one session per week.
Email usHow old do I have to be to volunteer?
We usually ask that volunteers are aged 16 or over, but if you are planning to volunteer with a carer, parent, guardian or as part of a work experience placement get in touch to see if we can welcome you.
Email usDo I need specific skills to volunteer?
The most important skill you need to volunteer for us is a passion for animals. Whether you have lots of skills to offer or want to gain experience and knowledge by volunteering, we can help find a role that is right for you.
View our Job RolesI want to volunteer with animals but can’t see any roles available
Roles at our Martlesham Animal Centre are in high demand, but are advertised on our job roles page that contains both voluntary and paid for vacancies!
To ensure our staff have enough time to train and support our volunteers, we advertise for specific roles in our cattery and kennels as they become available. However, if you have specific experience or skills – such as in dog behaviour training – please reach out to us as we’d love to hear from you. Otherwise, check back soon!
View our current job rolesCan you accommodate group volunteering days?
Yes, we can!
To discuss your corporate or group volunteering needs contact us at fundraising@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk and we will see if we can find a project that suits your skills and availability.
Get in touch Find out moreVolunteering for the RSPCA
See some of the RSPCA's pawsome volunteers in action!
How else can I get involved?
There are plenty of other ways to support the branch, from sponsoring a kennel or cat cabin at our Animal Centre, to visiting our shops, or rehoming a rescued animal. Find your way to get involved today.
