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
We currently have no vacancies.
Last updated: 07/07/2025
Volunteer opportunities
Animal Marketing Assistant
Do you have a creative flair and a passion for animal welfare? We are seeking a dedicated volunteer to support our marketing and rehoming teams in promoting the amazing animals in our care.
As an Animal Marketer, you’ll help us bring our rehoming stories to life using the photos and videos we already capture and transforming them into engaging content for our website, social media platforms, and printed materials.
What you’ll be doing
- Assisting with the creation of promotional content for animals awaiting adoption.
- Using provided materials (photos, videos, bios) to create eye-catching graphics, reels, and posts.
- Supporting the team with content for our social media, rehoming pages, and printed literature.
- Following CAS branding and messaging guidelines to ensure a consistent and compassionate tone.
- Working closely with our marketing and rehoming teams to tell each animal’s unique story.
Ideal skills and experience
- Some experience with video editing (basic to intermediate level).
- Confidence in using design or editing tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe, etc.).
- A strong understanding of social media platforms.
- A love for animals and sensitivity in representing them respectfully and positively.
- Able to take feedback and work collaboratively within a team environment.
Commitment
This role requires a minimum commitment of one day per week. It can be carried out remotely (once your training is complete) or on-site, depending on your availability and preferences, but consistency is key to supporting our rehoming efforts.
If you’re creative, compassionate, and want to help our animals find their forever homes, we’d love to hear from you!
To apply please complete the online application form via the link below.
Animal Pen and Kennel Assistants
This hands-on role involves helping our staff with essential morning chores, starting at 8:30am, and includes one of the following areas:
- Kennel cleaning – supporting our dog care team cleaning out our kennels and assisting with washing up and laundry.
- Small animal pen cleaning – helping care for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small furries cleaning pens, feeding and providing fresh water.
- Cat pod cleaning – ensuring our cats have clean, comfortable cat pod, provide cat enrichment and assist with washing up and laundry.
We’re looking for volunteers who can:
- Commit to a regular weekly shift, on a long-term basis.
- Are aged 18 years or older.
- Are physically fit, comfortable around animals, and willing to get stuck in with cleaning and other duties.
- Share our commitment to high animal welfare standards.
Training and support will be provided. We’re ideally seeking someone who can commit over a longer period to make the most of this role.
If you’d love to make a direct impact on the wellbeing of our animals and be part of a friendly and dedicated team, we’d love to hear from you!
To apply please complete the online application form, via the link below, and state which role/area you would like to help with.
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.
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.
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Last updated: 15/07/2025
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.