Volunteering at Cavy Corner Guinea Sanctuary

Award winning Cavy Corner is 100% volunteer run – no one is paid.

Without our volunteers we would be unable to do all the things that we do. Our team of dedicated volunteers spans all ages and includes people from all walks of life. Our longest serving volunteers have been with us for over 15 years - they enjoy it so much!

“I love it and you learn a lot. You also get to know like-minded people”

We often have vacancies for volunteers to help us.

A group of volunteers outside Cavy Corner

Benefits of volunteering at Cavy Corner

Our volunteers do so for different reasons but there are a range of benefits that impact on personal well-being and personal development.

Our young volunteers gain skills that will help them later in life including team working, confidence building, communicating with members of the public, commitment, responsibility and confidence. It’s also a great opportunity to get some work experience that you can put on your CV and Cavy Corner could provide you with a reference when you apply for jobs/college.

“I’ve improved my teamwork skills and really enjoy the satisfaction that comes after everyone has sorted the guineas out!”

“Cavy Corner is my happy place”

“Volunteering gave me practical experience and good references that helped me get a job”

For all our volunteers, the biggest bonus is having contact with so many guineas! Not only do you get to spend time with these amazing animals but you will also learn how to care for them.

Our volunteers are a really friendly bunch so you’ll also meet new people and make a new circle of friends. In addition to building great team working skills.

What our volunteers do

Cavy Corner volunteer sat with a guinea pig after cleaning it's cage

Volunteer at Cavy Corner working in front of shed

Cavy Corner volunteer filling a cage with hay after cage cleaning

Cavy Corner volunteers fundraising at Pets at Home

Volunteers help with everything from guinea care and cage cleaning to washing water bottles, feeding rota, fundraising, making home visits, and assisting at events.

The main areas that require volunteer help are:

Cage Cleaning

Our cage cleaning sessions currently take place on a Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon when it’s all hands to the deck to ensure that the piggies have a nice, fresh home to live in!

The cages are taken outside to our covered outdoor area and fully cleaned out. Some of the volunteers will be on hay shed duty, they fill up buckets with Aubiose bedding and hay ready to go in the clean cages. This role is physical and involves lifting and bending, volunteers must be comfortable working in a busy environment. Some of our volunteers also load up the trailer to take the guinea waste to a local farm where is it used for composting.

Once all of the cages have been cleaned there is often time for taming and a cuddle with the guineas.

Guinea Rota

Guinea rota sessions take place on a morning and evening. All the water bottles are cleaned and refilled and pellets and hay topped up. The tea time session also includes preparing and handing out the guineas veg. This session is less busy and suitable for individuals. After full training volunteers will work independently.

Fundraising

Our events require a large number of volunteers to make sure they run efficiently. Our regular events are our twice yearly Fun Shows, and there are often additional things that require volunteer help. At Cavy Corner events you might be serving refreshments, helping to set up and take down the event equipment. Be a Guinea Pig Monitor for the day to check everyone’s pets are safe and happy, or facilitating in another way to make sure everything runs smoothly!

Other Roles

Our volunteers also help in many other ways. We have an experienced medicines and treatment team who administer the prescribed medicines, carry out health and weight checks, and assess new arrivals. Volunteers will take guineas to vet appointments, sometimes long distance to see specialist vets, collect guineas needing a rescue place, craft and bake items for fundraising and behind the scenes volunteers who help with policies and procedures, the website and Facebook page.

Get Involved

Cavy Corner is a happy place for people and piggies. We don’t insist people commit to a set number of hours or days and understand that, in order to be successful, volunteering has to fit around other commitments. But we do ask for a once or twice a month commitment as a minimum.

“I volunteer as often as I can because guineas have a huge place in my heart. I’ve learnt a lot about guinea pigs I didn’t know.”

All you need to volunteer at Cavy Corner is a willingness to muck-in (sometimes literally!), a smile and a love of guinea pigs! Sue and the team will be more than happy to help you learn what you need to know and show you what to do.

We do consider volunteers who wish to work a set amount of time towards their Duke of Edinburgh award or Animal Care college students. We can offer placements for veterinary students for their Pre-Clinical EMS (AHEMS).

Please telephone for an informal chat if you are interested so we can explain the roles in more detail and arrange a visit.

If you like what you’ve read or want to find out more information, please contact Sue via the Facebook page, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01302 787509. We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteering