Work with us
Cheltenham Animal Shelter has been helping animals for almost 100 years and we couldn’t do it without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Would you like to join a team of dedicated animal lovers and help abandoned and unwanted animals across Gloucestershire?
Vacancies at Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be published on our website when they become available and we will share these jobs and volunteer roles on our social media, so be sure to follow us!
Please note that employees and volunteers must be aged 18+
Employment vacancies
Full-time Charity Shop Manager
An exciting opportunity for a full-time Charity Shop Manager has unexpectedly arisen at our newly established retail shop in Winchcombe Street in the heart of Cheltenham town centre. This new shop has already become a vital fundraiser to support the animals in our care. The contract will be permanent, subject to a 6-month probation period, over a 37.5-hour week to run the shop and will involve weekend working.
The position would ideally suit a retail experienced, very well organised person with excellent customer service and people management skills. Experience in a target driven environment and knowledge of stock rotation principals and seasonal themes will be advantageous.
The Manager will oversee and manage an Assistant Manager, completing regular appraisals, and will also be supported by and manage a team of Volunteers. As well as being a confident and personable team player the candidate must be hardworking and able to use their common sense, initiative and drive to make the shop a success.
You will be required to liaise with the existing on-site Charity Shop Supervisor and will report to the Shelter’s General Manager.
As well as a competitive rate of pay of £12.50 per hour the Shelter offers a workplace pension, 10 days sick pay p/a, and various other staff benefits which will be discussed at interview. A free parking space is available at the rear of the shop.
Candidates must possess:
- Full driving licence
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Experienced in achieving target driven business results
- Professional and self motivated
- Enthusiastic and able to work on own initiative
- Organised and show attention to detail
- Good team player
- Experience in the Charity Sector and Retail environment is preferred
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons
The Closing date for this role is Friday 4th April 2025. To apply, please forward your CV and covering letter to gm@gawa.org.uk and nicky.merifield@gawa.org.uk.
Due to the high volume of responses that we expect to receive for this position we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you have not received a response within 5 working days of forwarding your CV to us, then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful on this occasion but we thank you for your interest.
Last updated: 06/03/2025
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Charity Shop Assistants
Join our vibrant team of volunteers at our on-site charity shop or at our new shop in the town centre and make a real difference in our community!
We are urgently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support our efforts in raising funds for animals in need.
Volunteering with us is not only a rewarding experience but also a fantastic way to meet new people and develop valuable skills.
- Build Your CV: Gain hands-on experience in retail, customer service, and teamwork.
- Develop Skills: Enhance your communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills.
- Make a Difference: Support a great cause and help care for animals in need.
- Meet New People: Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your network.
If you have a few hours to spare, please consider joining us and making a meaningful impact.
Tasks involved
- To serve customers and record purchases on the cash register
- To work with staff and other volunteers to sort, steam, hang, ticket and size donated items for sale in the shop.
- To help keep the shop clean.
- To assist with shop displays.
- Provide information leaflets and signpost any enquiries for CAS services.
Training Requirements: full induction and training will be provided.
Commitment: Various shifts available on-site at Cheltenham Animal Shelter or in Winchcombe Street.
Animal Promotion Assistant
Cheltenham Animal Shelter is seeking a creative and motivated volunteer to assist in promoting our animals for adoption through editing and enhancing videos and images. The ideal candidate will have experience in photo and video editing and a passion for helping animals find their forever homes. This flexible role is essential for raising awareness of our animals and ensuring they receive maximum exposure through various channels, including events, reception areas, and social media platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
- Edit and enhance photos and videos of animals available for adoption, ensuring high-quality and engaging content.
- Create adoption videos and update posters to be displayed at Shelter events, in the reception area, and distributed to the Social Media Officer for use on our online platforms.
- Collaborate with the Shelter team to highlight specific animals, creating content that appeals to potential adopters.
- Ensure that content reflects the Shelter’s values and mission of responsible pet adoption.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Proven experience in photo and video editing.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Marketing or communications experience is a plus.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- A passion for animal welfare and a desire to contribute to the mission of the Shelter.
Commitment:
- At least 1-2 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate your availability.
Benefits:
- Gain valuable experience in marketing and digital media.
- Play a key role in helping animals find loving homes.
- The chance to be part of a passionate, supportive team.
If you are someone with a creative flair and marketing experience who wants to make a difference in the lives of animals, we would love to hear from you!
Book Recycling Assistant
Cheltenham Animal Shelter is seeking a dedicated volunteer to help us with our book recycling initiative. We are fortunate to receive a large number of book donations, but after their shelf life has expired in our charity shops, we can still make a positive impact by recycling them. Through recycling, we can raise valuable funds to continue supporting the animals in our care.
As a Book Recycling Assistant, you will be responsible for:
- Scanning donated books to assess their potential for recycling and identify those that are no longer suitable for sale in our shops.
- Processing books by sorting them based on their condition and value.
- Packaging books for collection by recycling partners, ensuring they are properly prepared for transport.
- Heavy lifting may be required when handling boxes of books, so you must be comfortable with physical tasks.
This role is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the Shelter’s fundraising efforts while helping us manage our book donations in an environmentally friendly way. If you have an interest in books, enjoy hands-on tasks, and want to help animals in need, we would love to hear from you!
Charity Shop Stock Transfer and Recycling Assistant
We are seeking a reliable and dedicated volunteer to assist with transferring stock between our onsite charity shop and our Cheltenham town charity shop. In addition, you will be responsible for taking books that we are unable to sell to a local recycling centre. This role involves some physical tasks, including heavy lifting, and requires a confident driver with a full UK driving licence to operate our Shelter van.
By volunteering in this role, you will play a crucial part in supporting our charity’s operations, helping to alleviate the workload on staff and allowing them to focus on other key day-to-day tasks. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference while gaining experience in logistics and recycling within the charity sector.
Key Responsibilities:
- Stock Transfer:
- Transfer donated items and stock between our onsite charity shop and the Cheltenham town charity shop as needed.
- Ensure that items are transported safely and securely, following all appropriate health and safety guidelines.
- Recycling:
- Take books that cannot be sold to the local recycling centre.
- Manual Handling:
- Assist with the physical loading and unloading of stock, including some heavy lifting as required.
Essential Requirements:
- Full UK driving licence with confidence in driving a large van.
- Ability to lift and carry heavy items safely.
- Good time management and organisational skills.
- A friendly and reliable attitude.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Flexibility to work across both the onsite charity shop and the Cheltenham town charity shop.
Time Commitment:
- Flexible hours, but ideally 3-5 hours per week.
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Last updated: 03/03/2025
Please email any enquiries to volunteers@gawa.org.uk
What our team says
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I had a little spare time and have always supported the amazing work done by CAS. I have had a lot of animals over the years especially when my children were growing up. Most recently, I adopted our wonderful dog Barley (was Tigger) in February 2019.
What would you say about volunteering?
It is very rewarding to be part of a team that can help make a difference to the homeless animals that pass through the Shelter. I have met a lot of lovely people through volunteering and made some great new friends.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I’ve always had a love of all creatures great and small. As a toddler, I remember reading with my mum and pointing out all of the many animal species in Ladybird books. So, with a love of animals, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved as a local volunteer. With animals of the canine variety being my favourite, I embarked (pardon the pun!) on volunteering as a dog walker. And, three years on, I am still absolutely loving it!
What would you say about volunteering?
Do it! It really does make a difference. I now have a better work-life balance doing something I really enjoy alongside the day job. I have learned new skills from dog behaviour to first aid which is really useful and interesting.
Volunteering at the Shelter I feel I’m putting a bit back into the community by helping to raise money in the shop or doing events.
The staff are very approachable and very friendly. The other volunteers are all like minded – we all love and care for animals. It’s a really happy place to be!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to work with animals. I have always had an interest in dog training and behaviour so, naturally, once I left school I pursued an education in animal care and behaviour, followed by a 10 month stint in north Sweden volunteering with sled dogs.
When the opportunity came up to apply for a job at the shelter, I jumped at the chance! I have now been working at CAS for 3 years, and I am one of the main carers on the rehoming kennels where I am able to help manage their welfare and behaviour needs during their stay with us.
My favourite part of the job is working with the behaviour team to implement training plans for the individual needs of each of the dogs in our care. I love watching how they progress during their stay at the shelter, seeing them learn and thrive with their new skills. It’s an incredibly rewarding job and it’s such a great feeling seeing our animals leave the shelter on their journey to a better life in their new home.
I have always been passionate about animals and their welfare, but a career working with them was just not talked about when I left school. Fast forward to the 1990s and I discovered a wildlife hospital where I could volunteer and eventually work.
In 2000 a job as a Receptionist at Cheltenham Animal Shelter was advertised in a local paper. I applied, got the job and this opened a new chapter in my life. 24 years later I am still at the ‘front line’ assisting callers and visitors, but best of all being part of an inspiring charity.
The Shelter has evolved at a strong pace since then. I have seen it grow, improve beyond recognition and become a very important community asset.
To see the full cycle of a surrendered, abandoned and sometimes traumatised pet, find love again, gain confidence and be given a second chance is truly inspiring.
To fully compliment this extraordinary work, the Shelter offers an engaging education programme. This helps children understand how to respect, interact and enjoy the company of pets.
I am very proud to be part of all this and value the opportunity I was given all those years ago.