Welcome, we are excited that you would like to join us. Together, we can create a better life for the animals in our care.

Volunteers and Fosters Volunteers play a critical part of the day-to-day operations of the NSPCA and play a huge role in caring for the animals in the shelter. We are incredibly proud of the work and the contributions made by all our volunteers, and we greatly appreciate your willingness to join us and donate your time and expertise.

As well as individuals volunteering, The NSPCA Dublin centre works with many companies across different sectors who take part in our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team building and volunteer days. Visit our Corporate Section to find out more.

Exciting News: We will be introducing Corporate Volunteering Programmes in our Longford, Wicklow and Cork centres. Watch this space!

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How to become an NSPCA volunteer

To ensure we match your needs, skills and experiences with the right volunteer role, we must carry out a thorough process to find out who you are, what you can offer and what you want to get out of your volunteering journey. Volunteering with the NSPCA is very hands on and physical work. Anyone who applies to volunteer should have a keen interest in animals and should not be afraid of handling or being around animals. Animals will jump up, pull on the lead, scratch, bark and require lots of exercise and are walked in all weathers – hail, rain or snow.

Let's get started

 

Find the role that suits you

Check out our FAQ’s below to see what’s involved in each volunteer role. Please note that all volunteering roles, with exception to events, take place on site at our shelter in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Commitment

Volunteers must be able to regularly volunteer for a minimum of 8 hours each month for a least 6 months

Apply

You must be 18+ to volunteer at the DSPCA. Fill out an application form for the role you are interested in. We recieve large numbers of applications and will be in touch over the next week to start the process.

Interview

Successful applications will be called by the volunteer team for a chat and for us to get to know you better.

Nearly there

Training

New volunteers must complete 3 training sessions with us. Training is hands on with the animals so be sure to dress for all types of weather and wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Completing all training sessions does not guarantee  a volunteering role.

 

Become a volunteer

Successful trainees will then be ready to start volunteering with us. Upon acceptance into the NSPCA Volunteer Programme there is an administrative fee of €20 to help cover the cost of the programme.

This includes a volunteer t-shirt and subscription to the volunteer management App. Volunteers can avail of a 10% discount at our on-site DSPCA shop (excluding our online shop).

Volunteer Roles

NEW Dog Fostering - Longford

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

NEW Cat Fostering - Longford

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

NEW Cat Fostering - Wicklow

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

NEW Dog Fostering - Wicklow

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

Christmas Fostering Programme

We started our Christmas fostering programme “Take Me Home For Christmas” many years ago and it has been a wonderful and successful experience for families and for the shelter animals. We look for Christmas foster homes for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs who have not found their forever homes before Christmas.

Find out more

Cat Fostering - Dublin

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

Dog Fostering - Dublin

Our foster volunteers and their families are an essential part of the NSPCA community. Without their ongoing support, we couldn’t provide the level of care that so many of our animals, particularly the young, sick, or injured, so urgently need.

Learn more about this volunteer role HERE

Register Here

Cat Rehoming - Dublin

Volunteering in cat rehoming is the perfect choice for cat lovers. Our volunteers assist with cleaning of the cat pods, feeding, socialising and grooming of the cats and kittens. The role is mainly working indoors.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Cat Rehabilitation - Dublin

Our cat rehabilitation is where all our sick cats and kittens are cared for. In is vital that this area is maintained to the highest of standards when it comes to cleaning. Our volunteers play a huge part in helping with cleaning cats pods, litter trays, food and water bowls.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Dog Rehoming - Dublin

You will be working with the dogs who are waiting to be adopted. Assisting with cleaning of the kennels, walking the dogs on our perimeter walk and providing enrichment and lots of playtime.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Keep Me Updated

Trap Neuter Return (TNR) - Dublin

We’re looking for compassionate and reliable volunteers to support our Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Programme, helping us reduce the number of kittens born outdoors each year by humanely managing community cat colonies.

Learn more about this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Dog Rehabilitation - Dublin

Volunteering with the dogs in our rehabilitation unit is a hugely rewarding experience as you will be helping those dogs through the recovery process, ensuring they get lots of TLC, walks and socialising.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Small Animals - Dublin

We have lots of small animals in our care including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamster, snakes, birds and more… Volunteers assist with cleaning of their pods, feeding and socialising.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Farm Animals - Dublin

Our pigs, goats, ducks and geese are always a big hit with the visitors. They do need a lot of care and lots of cleaning which our volunteers assist with.

Learn more about the this volunteering role HERE

Keep Me Updated

Equine - Dublin

Supporting our Equine manager, volunteers help in the stable yard mucking out, feeding, watering and grooming the horses in our care.  Experience of horses would be necessary for this role.

This volunteer is currently under review. Please check back again.

Keep Me Updated

Events

We love events and throughout the year we take part in events on site at the shelter and also around the Dublin area. There is always lots to help out with including bringing shelter dogs to events, selling raffle tickets, telling people about our work and most importantly having fun.

Learn more about this volunteering role HERE

Register Here

Pet Hotel - Dublin

We need people to help us care for our VIP guests (Very Important Pets) who come and stay with us in our Pet Hotel in our Dublin centre. As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in looking after the dogs while their owners are away, ensuring their happiness, comfort, and well-being in a fun and engaging environment.

Register Here

Where is The NSPCA located?

The NSPCA has 4 locations – Dublin, Wicklow, Longford and Cork.

Due to our remote locations of our centres, lack of public transport and surrounding country roads with no footpaths, volunteers must have their own mode of transport.

 

NSPCA Dublin: Mount Venus Road,  Rathfarnham, D16 F9C4

NSPCA Longford, Derryglogher, Keenagh, N39X 257

NSPCA Wicklow, Sharpeshill Sanctuary, Ballygannon More,  Rathdrum, A67 YK81 

NSPCA Cork, Dromsligo, Mallow, P51 YF98

Read more about our Volunteer Roles.

We have volunteers working in many different areas of the NSPCA and have a variety of roles, from animal care volunteers to fosterers, event and fundraising volunteers to gardeners and farm animal assistants.

Cat Fostering

Dog Fostering

Cat Rehoming

Cat Rehabilitation  

Dog Rehoming

Dog Rehabilitation

Small Animals

Farm Animals

Equine – Check back soon

Events

 

 

What's in it for me?

You will get to meet new people, make friends and become part of a team. Gain new skills or develop existing ones.Do something useful, rewarding and gain a sense of achievement. You will get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Volunteers can avail of a 10% discount at our on-site NSPCA Dublin shop (Excludes the online shop). AND of course, you get to meet the amazing animals in our care and directly contribute to improving their lives.

Is there a time commitment for volunteering?

We ask that animal care volunteers make a commitment to a minimum of 6 months of regular volunteering with a minimum of 8 hours each month. Please check role descriptions to find out more details about specific roles.

Due to the extensive training requirements, we are not able to accept short-term volunteers, but we do offer Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team building and volunteer days.

Are there any volunteer requirements?

All prospective volunteers must be 18 years of age or older

Please see individual role descriptions for more details on the experience and skills required.

We expect our volunteers to comply with all NSPCA’s Volunteer Programme Policies and Procedures in order to maintain a high standard of volunteer service, create a safe environment for the animals, staff, fellow volunteers and clients we serve, and provide you with a positive experience.

Can I volunteer for multiple roles?

After 2 months of regular volunteering in one area you may reach out to the Volunteer team to request additional training in another.

Can I bring friends and family to help during my shift?

Volunteers can not bring friends, family members or pets with them during their scheduled volunteer shifts

How old do I need to be to volunteer with the DSPCA?

Volunteers must be over 18 years of age to volunteer with animals.

If you are under 18 years of age or if you can’t find a volunteering opportunity why not consider doing some fun fundraising for the animals instead? Or, your family could adopt or help foster an animal!

We also run kids camps during the school holidays.

If you would like to learn more about the work involved in caring for animals and the work of the DSPCA we offer Educational Visits and Tours/Workshops for mainstream students and persons with additional needs by appointment. Email the education team for more information.

Have a question?

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Volunteer team Here

Other ways to help

There are many ways that you can help the NSPCA. Donating, Fostering, Fundraising, Leave a gift in your Will, Wedding Favours… find out more Here