By Hannah Jolliffe

In any given month, more than 20,000 people search do-it.org.uk for opportunities to volunteer with animals. While many organisations need volunteers mainly for 'back-room' roles like fundraising, administration or helping in charity shops, there is still a wide variety of opportunities for those who want to spend their time in a hands-on role.

Animal sanctuaries

For a truly hands-on experience, many animal rescue homes need volunteers to spend time befriending animals and helping them to overcome their often troubled pasts.

The Chestnut Cat Sanctuary in Essex relies on volunteer Cat Cuddlers to talk and play with the cats and show them love. But be warned, this kind of opportunity isnt always as cute as it sounds.

"A quarter of our cats are strays, others are homeless because their owner has died or moved away and left them behind," explains the manager, Jackie De Friez. "We don't have cute cuddly cats with little bows waiting for a cuddle, some are quite traumatised so we require volunteers who are well adjusted and who really want to help benefit the cat's life."

One volunteer who fits this bill perfectly is Hamish Macalaster. He's been volunteering for the sanctuary for over two years and spends time with the cats every day.

"Like humans, no two cats are ever the same so you learn something new about cats all the time," he says. "Some cats want lots of love and cuddles, which I give them, others are unhappy or stressed so you have to deal with them more carefully. When I help to bring a miserable cat around it really does make me feel like I've done something to help. When I see a happy cat get homed I feel like I've achieved something."

Horsing around

As well as helping animals you can also get involved in assisting animals that in turn benefit people.

At Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs there are 14 ponies and 150 riders aged between three and 73, all with some kind of disability or learning difficulty. "We are totally dependent on volunteers we couldn't run without them," explains the school's Manager, Deborah Hall. Each rider needs up to three helpers each - one to lead the pony and two side helpers to offer both physical and moral support to the rider.

Although they currently have around 100 volunteers, Deborah says the school would benefit from an extra six every day. Typical duties include mucking out, sweeping the yard, cleaning the tack and grooming the horses as well as either leading them or acting as a side helper. Volunteers who are keen riders can even ride the ponies in their own time if they wish.

"This is a very hands-on opportunity and that really appeals to people who want to volunteer with animals," says Deborah. "Generally our volunteers stay here for quite a while because they enjoy it so much."

Offering a home

Another option is to go one step further and actually take an animal into your home. Many charities need people to foster animals while they find them a permanent home.

It's not easy to take an animal in, give it a good home and then let it go when someone offers it a permanent home, but it's rewarding to know that you're providing a comfy alternative to an animal home and freeing up valuable space there for other animals.

Most volunteer fosterers are reimbursed for any equipment and food costs. They are expected to have experience of caring for the species of animal being fostered and to have enough free time to commit fully to the animal's needs. It's not a job for the novice, but it's incredibly worthwhile if you're an animal lover with time on your hands and plenty of energy.

Search the do-it.org.uk database  for animal volunteering opportunities in your area.

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