RSPCA Wildlife Friends

Available from 01 August 2026 to 31 October 2026. Our Wildlife Friend role involves taking small actions that help wildlife thrive in your local area, but there is no hands-on contact with wildlife in our care. You are signing up to a short term trial with the option to extend it if you are enjoying being a Wildlife Friend.

Every year we receive tens of thousands of calls about wildlife in need. Sadly many of these incidents could have been prevented. Join us to protect and encourage wildlife by taking simple actions in your own outdoor space and in your community. By signing up to be a Wildlife Friend, you will be part of our one million movement for animals.

As a Wildlife Friend you’ll learn what to do if you find sick or injured wildlife and you can share this advice with others in your community. You’ll also be taking action to create habitats and environments where wildlife can thrive and be protected from harm.

Pick and choose from our seasonal ‘menu’ of activities - we have something for everyone! Our activities can be completed no matter where you live - you don’t need a garden, backyard or balcony. You can carry out good deeds for wildlife in communal or public spaces and get friends, family and neighbours involved too. There are even some activities you can do from your sofa.

We’ll keep you updated with our monthly newsletter and invite you to online sessions with our experts. All you need to join is a smartphone, tablet or computer, a little bit of spare time and lots of enthusiasm. Your kindness really counts so come and join us and others like you - together we can make a difference for wildlife.

We’d love everyone to join us, but if you’re under 16, please ask if a parent or guardian will sign up so you can help them in the role. Or you could check out our Education page: it has a variety of tasks for young people from 5-7, 8-11 and 11+, and you will get a certificate for each action completed.

Wildlife Friends is a way to gain experience and knowledge about wildlife, however, it is not suitable for DofE work experience. We have a Bronze and Silver DofE offer which you can sign up to here. To enquire about work experience, why not try contacting your local RSPCA branch or animal centre.

What you will be doing:

• Taking action at home and in your community to help improve wildlife welfare
• Signposting RSPCA advice within online communities to spread welfare messages
• Helping us campaign and petition for wildlife
• Creating wildlife friendly habitats in your own back yard or community spaces
• Organising wildlife friendly activities with friends, family or neighbours
• Logging the activities you complete via our online app, Assemble

The skills you need:

• No experience necessary just a willingness to get involved
• Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone
• You’ll need to be 16 or over. If you’re under 18 we’ll need the consent of your parent or guardian before you can start.

What's in it for you:

• You’ll be making a huge difference to the wildlife
• Carry out activities at home or in your community
• A flexible opportunity to volunteer around your busy life
• A choice of activities to get involved in, do as much or as little as you like - it all makes a difference to wildlife
• An insight into the fantastic work of the RSPCA
• Opportunity to attend online talks and receive updates from our Wildlife Experts

Disclaimer: Before starting any Wildlife Friends tasks, ensure you read and follow the instructions carefully and any accompanying advice or guidance. Please familiarise yourself with the zoonotic diseases prevention and control advice provided to volunteers. Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial disease caused by an infection in an open wound. Due to the nature of this role, volunteers should check their vaccination history with their GP.