An animal charity has put out an urgent appeal for volunteers to help to support sick and injured animals in need.

The RSPCA Hertfordshire East branch – which is based in Baldock and has a shop in Hitchin’s Churchyard – is a separately registered charity from the national RSPCA and provides animal welfare services such as rehoming, paying for veterinary treatment, fostering and providing welfare advice.

Much of this vital animal welfare work is only possible thanks to the support of a small dedicated team of volunteer fundraisers.

In a bid to increase the animal welfare work of the branch, the charity is appealing for an army of volunteers who can help in a range of roles – from fundraising or working in the charity shop to fostering or becoming a home visitor.

Branch secretary Hilary Cherry said: “Volunteers make a tremendous contribution to the work we do to prevent animal cruelty and alleviate the suffering of animals, but volunteering is also a great way to meet like-minded people whose key goal is to help animals and pet owners experiencing difficulty in meeting the costs of veterinary treatment.

“We currently have a host of volunteering roles which we would like to establish and they cover a wide spectrum.

“Each role is unique and absolutely vital to the work we do at the branch. While many people would love to work directly with the animals, this isn’t always possible due to the commitments of modern day life. But, by giving up a few hours a week to help in our shop, people can still help animals because all the funds raised goes directly back into helping the animals we have in our care.

“Volunteering is hugely rewarding and, as well as helping animals, you can also gain new skills and develop existing ones and it’s a chance to try something new.

“One thing all our volunteers say is that they feel a real sense of pride and achievement knowing their efforts will be helping others.”

It costs nearly £100,000 to run the branch every year, and most of the money is raised by dedicated volunteers’ fundraising initiatives and donations collected locally.

For more information about volunteering, call the branch operations manager, Vicky Burrell, on 01462 672278 or email info@rspcahertseast.org.uk