Working for Cats Protection
There are many reasons why Cats Protection is a great place to work and we recognise those reasons are important to you too. Working for us is challenging, rewarding and fun.
Since 1927, we have helped cats across the UK and helped people to better understand their needs. As a community of volunteers, employees, supporters and partners, we’ve improved the lives of millions of cats and transformed the way people see and care for cats.
Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.
We have a clear definition of what we all do in Cats Protection: We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.
If we can help everyone to better understand cats and their needs, we can help them to behave differently towards them, to care for them in the best way and to ensure the world appreciates and protects cats.
To help people see the world through cats’ eyes
Looking for an animal charity job with a difference? We have a diverse range of roles in areas such as retail, fundraising, advocacy, veterinary, digital and IT as well as other support functions. Many of our roles offer the opportunity to work remotely and flexibly from home.
We could not achieve all that we do without the valued input and support from our wonderful Cats Protection people, numbering some 9,000 volunteers and nearly 1,000 full and part-time employees based all across the UK. Because of this, we’re thrilled you’re considering a role with us.
See our current vacancies
We want Cats Protection to be a safe place for everyone that works, volunteers and comes into contact with us. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our volunteers, supporters and employees and we expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment.
As a socially responsible organisation we will not tolerate abuse, neglect and/or exploitation wherever it occurs or whoever is responsible. We have policies and guidance in place which make it simple to raise concerns and prevent safeguarding risks. This includes robust onboarding processes, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland checks where appropriate, and the provision of training. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role.
Values and behaviours
At Cats Protection, we are a movement of people. We all share a common set of principles that influence the way we do things. Our shared values act as a guiding compass to shape our behaviour and the decisions we make.
These values are not new to Cats Protection – they are already deep rooted within our charity. By formalising them and articulating them, we can ensure we reinforce them across everything we do, and that we all live them.
Our organisation exists because of cats, they are at the centre of all that we do. Putting cats first means we understand and apply good cat welfare and consider the wider implications of our actions and decisions. We put cats first by ensuring the wellbeing, safeguarding and safety of our people, working in partnership with others, by adapting what we do and by listening to our customers.
We are one team with a shared purpose and ambition. True collaboration, consultation and meaningful inclusion often takes time, effort and can even mean compromise. Sometimes working on our own or in separate teams or departments feels easier, is quicker and is less complicated but it doesn’t present us with the best opportunities or approach to improving cat welfare. Working as one doesn’t mean agreeing on everything, taking everyone’s opinion on board or not making decisions. It is about finding common ground and putting people first to deliver impact for cats.
We are not all naturally brave. Courage doesn’t mean taking risks every day or being bold for the sake of it. It means standing up for what we believe in, speaking out when things are wrong or feel wrong, and stepping out of our comfort zone when we need to. Being courageous can mean making a decision that doesn’t please everyone. It can be about stopping doing an activity as well as developing something new. It can also mean challenging poor behaviours and recognising the people who are doing the right thing. We can all be courageous.
Being knowledgeable doesn’t mean we have to know everything and sometimes we simply don’t know what we don’t know. Being knowledgeable means recognising this and turning to others for answers when we need them. It means being curious and keen to learn, keeping our knowledge up to date and contributing to conversations without forcing our opinions. It’s about expressing what we know while also appreciating the views and perspectives of others.
We demonstrate compassion through our cat welfare activity and through our interactions with others. Being compassionate is about understanding that emotions and behaviours affect our activity and success. By responding to others in a considerate and kind way, we do the right thing for cats, individuals and the organisation, and by helping people understand the reasons why we do things, we can make difficult decisions and communicate with compassion and understanding.
Equity, diversity & inclusion
We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation – where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals' experience and can reach and partner all areas of society – is crucial if we're to help more cats.
We are one charity, but we represent many ideas, experiences and backgrounds. We’re on a journey to make sure our charity is diverse and inclusive to help us to reach our full potential as an organisation and by supporting our people to reach theirs. We’re making exciting steps forward through our employee forum, by working to decrease our gender pay gap, and with our Pride Network – our LGBT+ and allies network for employees.
Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
Our aim is to be an inclusive organisation for everyone. The equity, diversity and wellbeing of our people is very important to us and our goal is for both our employees and volunteers to be able to be their true selves.
There’s a place for everyone at Cats Protection and we actively encourage and welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates who reflect the communities that we work with and those who bring a diversity of inputs and perspectives.
We are a disability-confident employer and an inclusive partner of JobOppO.co.uk Evenbreak.co.uk BMEjobs.co.uk LGBTjobs.co.uk and DisabilityJob.co.uk
Our Pride network
Rewards and benefits
We know our success can’t happen without the collective effort of our people. That’s why we’ll make sure you are fairly rewarded for your hard work, both financially and through our range of benefits.
At Cats Protection, your wellbeing is as important to us as it is to you. As a movement of people championing the welfare of cats, making sure we look after the welfare of our people, and ensuring they are protected and cared for, is equally important.
Our benefits are here to support you and your family and to show our appreciation for the work you do. They enable you to lead the life you want and protect what’s important to you.
Holiday
Taking time away from work is important for our good mental health and wellbeing. Holiday entitlement starts at 25 days (plus bank holidays) increasing to 30 days maximum with length of service (pro-rated based on hours of work).
Private healthcare
Our private healthcare scheme is with our chosen partner, Bupa. We provide private healthcare to give peace of mind that most healthcare needs will be met at a time when they are needed.
Bupa Everyday rewards
Featuring discounts from some of the UK’s biggest names, this offers benefits from big brand savings all year long. And it’s completely free to join – whether a member of Bupa or not.
Occupational sick pay
We know there’ll be times when you can’t come to work because you’re ill. We want to support and help you come back to work as soon as you can. We’ll pay up to eight weeks’ sick pay in any year if you qualify.
Health cash plans
We offer a choice of cash plans through two providers: Medicash and Health Shield. You have the option to join either or both.
Employee Assistance Programme
Our Employee Assistance Programme is provided through our chosen partner Health Assured and provides a source of confidential and independent advice to help you deal with life’s ups and downs. A free 24-hour helpline is available to everyone to help deal with both personal and professional problems.
Free eye tests
We’re registered with Specsavers Corporate Eye Care Scheme. If you work in front of a screen for more than three hours a day each week, you are eligible for a free display screen equipment (DSE) eye care voucher. The eye care voucher entitles you to a free eye examination and if needed, a free pair of single vision prescription lens glasses.
Pension
We want to help you make plans and feel secure about the future. You’ll join our defined contribution pension scheme, and we’ll pay contributions into your fund depending on the amount you choose to pay in.
Pension salary exchange
Pension salary exchange (PSE) is a way of making pension contributions which, for most employees, saves you money compared to standard pension contributions arrangements. This is because you could pay fewer National Insurance contributions through PSE.
Salary Finance
We know that money worries can be a cause of stress so, to help you take control of your financial health we offer a range of benefits via Salary Finance. These include affordable loans repaid through salary; advanced earned pay; simple savings; government-backed help to save scheme and free financial education.
Life assurance
Life can be unpredictable. Cats Protection offers all employees death-in-service life assurance giving you and your loved ones peace of mind. In the event of your death, a lump sum will be paid to your chosen dependants so that financial commitments you might have can be taken care of when you’re not around.
And we haven’t forgotten your pets’ health!
You can get 20% off your Petplan pet insurance as a Cats Protection employee.
