The RSPCA has doubled its number of volunteers since the start of the first lockdown.
During the last year in particular, there has been an 85% increase in volunteers, with the charity currently having more than 16,000 animal lovers giving their time free to help animals in need.
RSPCA volunteers have continued to be involved in essential animal welfare work during the pandemic and have been a lifeline for the charity. However, the increase in new volunteers can also be attributed to the launch of the RSPCA’s Microvolunteering programme. There are 4,800 people taking part in total and this has seen a younger volunteer base than ever before with 66% of volunteers under 35, and 34% under 25.
Speaking at the start of National Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7), the charity’s Head of volunteering John Wilkins said: “We’ve seen a real surge in volunteers since the start of the pandemic, which is just incredible to see, and a large part of that can be attributed to our digital volunteering.
MODERN APPROACH
“As more people have been spending time at home and were either furloughed or out of work, we have found that lots of people were trying their hand at microvolunteering for the RSPCA.
“This appeals to people who don’t have much time or find it difficult to physically volunteer at a centre or similar. It’s a modern approach which creates an opportunity for people to donate their time to complete quick digital tasks such as sharing animal welfare messages on social media, undertaking research and helping to promote fundraising events.”
Collectively, the microvolunteers have completed more than 12,000 digital tasks to date and have increased the awareness of the charity’s work.
John added: “We are so grateful to every single person that has given up their time to help us – they are making such a difference to animal welfare.”
Before the lockdown, more than 1,300 volunteers gave their time to help the RSPCA in animal care roles, from dog walking and cat socialising to equine grooms and wildlife care. The youngest animal care volunteer is 17, while the oldest is 101!
More than 100 wildlife casualty volunteers collect sick and injured wildlife and transport them to nearby wildlife centres and vets.
And more than 300 volunteers foster domestic animals and equines that are waiting to be adopted to a forever home or whilst the RSPCA investigates a case of cruelty.
