Here at the Ark we have a fantatic team of dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers come from all sorts of backgrounds and experience levels, and we welcome anyone who wants to give some of their time to help cats in need!

We have two kinds of volunteers: regular volunteers, and cat cuddlers.

Regular volunteers are those who are able to dedicate an amount of time regularly each week to come and help with running the Ark. They clean, help with admin or tech, help run our social media, feed and medicate cats, and much more. We understand that not everyone is able to block out a regular time to visit the Ark, so we also welcome cat cuddlers! If you would like to join the team of volunteers, get in touch with Paul at admin@westgateark.org.uk.

Cat Cuddling is done on a relaxed, 'come when you like' basis. You can come alone or in a small group to help us socialise our cats. Play with them (we've got lots of toys!), give them a few treats (but not too many, no matter what the cats say...), the most important thing is to make sure the cats feel cared for and fussed over. They deserve it! If you want to do some cat cuddling, reach out to Simon at cuddling@westgateark.org.uk.

In order to run effectively, we need to have certain things done in standardised ways. We also need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to make the cats feel as safe, cared for and comfortable as possible. For this reason, we have to have some rules.

• The most important rule at the Ark is never to leave the front door unlocked or hold it open, as we don't want to lose any cats to escaping.
• Internal doors should be opened and closed carefully, to avoid injuries to cats/kittens, and should also not be left open. Please check around the doors (through their windows from the outside and just by your feet inside) before moving them.
• We do not tolerate bullying or rudeness directed toward volunteers, service users, or members of the public. Our volunteers must be treated with politeness & respect, and so should those who come to us for help.
• Volunteers should observe our rules, practices and general ethos. We are always open to constructive comments and suggestions, but these should be delivered respectfully.
• Decision making is the responsibility of the Lead Volunteer of the day, who will work closely with management. Assisting volunteers and cat cuddlers should respect their judgement. If you're not sure who the Lead Volunteer is, just ask - we don't bite!
• Please do not park outside of our front door, as that bit of land is a legal easement and our neighbour has a right of vehicular access over it.
• We welcome you to bring your children for cat cuddling sessions, as it is beneficial for cats to meet children and vice versa. However, you must ensure that children interact gently, quietly, and patiently with cats. It is very important that children are closely monitored by parents, and understanding and respect of the cats is communicated as a non-negotiable. 
• There are litter bins in each room full of fresh litter for changing the cat's toilet boxes. The lids on litter bins must remain closed, otherwise the cats think they've found the world's most luxurious lavatory, and all that litter gets wasted.
• Sometimes we get particularly ravenous cats, so it's best if drawers for food and treats are kept shut to prevent greedy paws going on a feeding frenzy when left unattended.

If you're unsure of anything on your visit, please don't hesistate to ask one of the other volunteers. They're a lovely bunch and are happy to help.