Fostering is one of the most rewarding things you can do, whether you’re offering a cosy holiday respite spot or opening your home for a longer stay. You’ll join a brilliant community of foster volunteers who are always up for a bit of banter, swapping tips and tricks, and cheering each other on.

Fostering is truly at the heart of Thistle Paws Rescue. Because we’re a foster‑based rescue, every single dog we save goes straight into a loving home somewhere in Scotland, where they can exhale, feel safe, build confidence, and get ready for their forever family. When you foster, you’re not just giving a dog a place to sleep, you’re giving them a fresh start and a whole new chapter.

We cover all veterinary care, can provide food and supplies if needed, and our foster coordinators are always on hand with support, guidance, and plenty of encouragement. You’ll never be left figuring things out alone, we’re right there with you for training help, socialisation advice, and everything in between.

Whether you can foster for a few weeks or a few months, your space makes a huge difference. Some dogs settle quickly, others need a little extra time to trust again, but every single foster home saves a life.

Home checkers play a hugely important role in helping our rescue dogs find safe, loving homes. Every adoption or foster placement starts with a home check, and thanks to our brilliant volunteer team, we’re able to match each dog with the family that suits them best.

Most home checks are done online via video call, so we’re looking for volunteers who are comfortable with basic tech, things like Facebook Messenger, Google Drive, and writing short reports in Microsoft Word. Don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before; we offer full training, run friendly training sessions with experienced volunteers, and provide ongoing support whenever you need it.

As a home checker, you’ll chat with potential adopters or fosterers, learn about their home setup, and help make sure it’s a safe, suitable environment for a rescue dog. A typical home check takes around 60–90 minutes, plus a little time to write up your notes. If you can spare an hour or two each week, you can make a real difference to the dogs waiting for their chance at a new life. It’s a flexible, rewarding role and a lovely way to be part of a team that genuinely changes lives.

Not everyone can foster or adopt, but transport volunteers are absolute lifesavers when it comes to getting our dogs to safety. We’re always looking for kind, reliable people across Scotland who can help move dogs from one location to another, whether that’s getting a dog from a surrender home to their foster family, helping with vet trips, or supporting moves between foster homes.

You don’t need to take on long drives, even a short stretch of a journey can make a huge difference. We plan routes in advance and cover fuel costs, so you’ll never be out of pocket. All we ask is that you have a suitable vehicle, can be relied on, and are happy to follow our safety guidelines to keep every dog secure on the road. Whether you can help now and then or more regularly, you’ll be playing a direct and meaningful part in changing a dog’s life, one journey at a time.

Fundraising volunteers play a vital role in helping us continue our lifesaving work. Every donation raised helps provide food, veterinary care, transport, shelter, and support for the UK and Romanian rescue dogs in our care, giving them the second chance they deserve.

We’re looking for volunteers with fundraising experience in raising funds, organising campaigns, securing sponsorships, applying for grants, running events, or building relationships with local businesses and supporters.

This is an opportunity to bring your knowledge and ideas to a rescue that values your input. Whether you can help us plan larger fundraising initiatives, identify new opportunities, support existing campaigns, or advise us on best practices, your experience could make a huge difference to the dogs who rely on us.

The role is flexible and can fit around your existing commitments. Whether you can spare a few hours each month or would like to take a more active role in helping shape our fundraising strategy, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a rewarding opportunity to use your skills to directly support vulnerable dogs and help ensure we can continue providing the care, safety, and second chances they deserve.

Do I need previous experience?

Not necessarily. While some roles, such as fundraising, may benefit from previous experience, most of our volunteer opportunities are open to anyone who is passionate about helping rescue dogs. Full training and ongoing support are provided to help you feel confident in your role.

How much time do I need to commit?

Our volunteer roles are designed to be flexible. Home checks typically take around 60–90 minutes to complete, while transport journeys can vary from short local trips to longer journeys. Foster placements may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the individual dog’s needs.

Can I volunteer remotely?

Yes. Most of our volunteer roles can be carried out remotely from home. Home checks are conducted online via video call, and foster carers provide care from their own homes. Some roles, such as transport volunteering, require travel, but these opportunities are offered on a flexible basis.

What support will I receive?

All volunteers receive training, guidance, and ongoing support from our team. Whether you’re carrying out your first home check, fostering your first rescue dog, or helping with fundraising, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What costs am I responsible for?

For foster carers, we ask that you provide food for your foster dog. We covers veterinary treatment and other agreed rescue-related expenses. Transport volunteers have fuel costs covered for approved journeys.

Can I fit volunteering around work or family commitments?

Absolutely. We understand that everyone has different commitments, and we aim to make volunteering as flexible as possible. Many of our volunteers support us alongside full-time jobs, studies, and family life.

What if I have more questions?

We’re always happy to chat. If you’d like to learn more about any of our volunteer opportunities, please get in touch and a member of the team will be happy to help.