About the Role
Lifeline is a specialist cat fostering service supporting people in your local area who are experiencing domestic abuse. When someone needs to leave an unsafe situation, their pet can be a major barrier, as most refuges and temporary accommodation are unable to accept animals. This role helps provide a safe, temporary home for a cat until the owner is ready to be reunited.
What You'll Do
As a volunteer foster carer, you will welcome a cat into your home and care for it during a difficult period in its owner’s life. This includes feeding, providing a safe environment, and supporting the cat’s wellbeing until it can return home. Lifeline provides ongoing guidance and support throughout the fostering period.
Skills and Attributes
You should be able to offer a safe, calm, and caring home environment. Reliability and a willingness to follow guidance are important. You must not have free-roaming pets. No previous fostering experience is required.
Benefits to You
Fostering offers the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of a cat without a long-term commitment while making a meaningful difference. 96% of Lifeline foster carers report that fostering has had a positive impact on their wellbeing and mental health.
Training and Expenses
All costs are covered by Lifeline, including food, litter, equipment, and veterinary care. Full support and advice are provided to help you care for your foster cat.
Commitment
Fostering is flexible, and placements vary depending on need. Last year, Lifeline supported over 350 cats and their families escaping domestic abuse, with 201 cats already reunited with their owners and more planned.
Last year alone, Lifeline supported over 350 cats and their families escaping domestic abuse. 201 cats have already been reunited with their owners, with plans in place to safely reunite many more when the time is right.
By becoming a Lifeline foster carer, you can help protect both people and their beloved pets when they need it most.
Get involved today — together, we can save lives and keep families whole.