Volunteer jobs with animal welfare organisations can vary from helping with kennel duties, assisting with fund raising events, carrying out wildlife surveys, or working on specific projects. The 2009 Worldwide Volunteering with Animals Guide gives direct links to animal welfare and rescue charities that offer a variety of different and interesting volunteering opportunities - there are an amazing variety of voluntary jobs available.Many animal charities exist on limited funds and therefore voluntary workers are much needed and appreciated. All of the organisations offer voluntary placements and occasionally also advertise animal charity jobs.

As an animal jobs or volunteer seeker, you may also wish to take a look at the animal jobs information section on working for an animal charity.

CLICK HERE for volunteer work with cats in the UK

Ashbourne Animal Welfare was established in 1988 and is dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of stray and unwanted cats and dogs. They provide neutering and veterinary care before re-homing. Volunteer assistance required.

Animal Accident Rescue Unit (AARU) is a Nottinghamshire based charity run by volunteers that is committed to rescuing animals by providing a transport service for sick and injured animals and birds and re-homing where possible. Contact to assist as a volunteer.

Animals in Need aims to alleviate animal suffering by attending to animal casualties in the Northamptonshire area. This is a rescue organisation run solely by volunteers; they attend both domestic and wild animals, and in 1999 were asked by Northamptonshire Police to work with them attending road traffic accidents and out of hours emergencies. Contact to assist as a volunteer.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has been rescuing lost and unwanted dogs since 1860 and cats since 1883. The organisation works to rescue, rehabilitate, re-unite and re-home dogs and cats. Volunteers required.

Birmingham Nature Centre is situated 2 miles south of Birmingham City Centre and covers over six acres. Range of habitats includes woodland, wetland, farm and gardens and there are representatives from all the major groups of the world's animal kingdom. There are over 130 different species. Volunteers required.

The Blue Cross aims to: ensure the welfare of animals by providing practical care, highlight the benefits of companionship between animals and people and promote a sense of respect and responsibility towards animals in the community. The organisation provides support to the nation's pets and their owners by: treating pets whose owners cannot afford private veterinary treatment, finding permanent homes for unwanted or abandoned animals and educating the public in responsible animal ownership. Volunteers required.

Bristol Dogs and Cats Home founded in 1887, the Home has grown in size and many improvements have been made to house a variety of animals. What started as a shelter just for dogs, now accommodates cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds and other small animals. Volunteers required to help with dogs walking.