Rotherham, South Yorkshire
We believe every cat and dog has the right to a happy life, free from fear and pain.
Founded in 2002, our charity has saved the lives of thousands of the cats and dogs most at risk in and around Yorkshire. Rescuing hundreds of animals a year, our rescue centre provides the space and support needed for these abandoned animals to recover, thrive and find a loving home.
Take a look around our centre where we care for our rescued cats and dogs whilst they wait for their loving homes.
The hard-working humans behind Rain Rescue. Meet our trustees, staff and volunteers.
At RAIN, our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. From caring for dogs and cats in our kennels and cattery, to fostering animals in their own homes, to supporting behind-the-scenes operations — every volunteer plays a vital role in helping rescue animals recover and find loving forever homes.
Our volunteer team is made up of people from all walks of life, united by a shared love of animals and a desire to make a difference. These are just a few of their stories.
Maxine joined Rain Rescue after retiring from a 30-year career. Looking for purpose, connection, and something meaningful to give back to, she found volunteering with animals to be the perfect next chapter.
“My favourite part of volunteering is being part of an amazing team of caring people and seeing the cats and dogs leave the centre for their forever homes. It’s heartbreaking to see some of them arrive lost, scared and poorly, through no fault of their own. It’s wonderful to watch them grow in confidence, learn to trust again and start their next chapter with a loving family.”
One of Maxine’s most memorable moments was caring for two tiny kittens, Summer and Autumn, who arrived abandoned in a carrier. With patience and care, they blossomed into confident kittens and went on to find loving homes.
Volunteering has given Maxine lasting friendships and a renewed sense of purpose.
Her advice to anyone thinking about volunteering:
“Stop thinking about it and just do it – you won’t be disappointed.”
Jackie describes her volunteer journey as “amazing,” working alongside dedicated staff and other volunteers at Rain Rescue.Volunteering brings her great happiness, especially when the animals she has helped care for are adopted into loving homes.
“It is very rewarding, especially when so many have come to us from heartbreaking situations.”
For Jackie, every adoption represents hope, healing, and a fresh start.
After a 43-year career, Sue was looking for a new sense of purpose. With a lifelong love of animals — especially cats — she joined Rain Rescue as a volunteer.
She supports the cattery team by helping ensure cats are safe, cared for, and given time to relax and build confidence while they wait for their forever homes.
Sue finds it incredibly rewarding to watch frightened and uncertain cats slowly develop into confident, affectionate personalities.
She has also recently taken on her first fostering experience, caring for a mother cat and her five kittens:
“It has been an interesting and very rewarding experience. They are so cute and funny, all with individual personalities. I have learnt so much!”
Sue describes volunteering as:
Dedicated, caring, and supportive
Her message to anyone thinking about getting involved:
“Go for it — it’s so rewarding, and you are helping the community, the animals in their care, and finding their new ‘pawfect’ homes.”
Not all heroes are in the spotlight every day, but their impact is just as powerful.
Kennel supervisor Emma says it best:
“Gemma and Sharon go above and beyond every day, helping to make everything run smoothly while giving the dogs the love, attention, and support they deserve.”
Their consistency and care help create a stable, nurturing environment where rescue dogs can recover and rebuild trust.
Volunteers at RAIN help transform the lives of abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. Every walk, every clean kennel, every cuddle, every foster placement contributes to a bigger journey — from rescue to recovery to rehoming. Without volunteers, this life-changing work simply wouldn’t be possible.
Want to make a real difference to rescue dogs and cats?
Whether you can spare a few hours a week or want to get more involved, we’d love to welcome you.
Every year during Volunteers’ Week, we take the opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who make our lifesaving work possible. At RAIN, our volunteers and foster carers are at the heart of everything we do. Their compassion, dedication and generosity help transform the lives of vulnerable dogs and cats across South Yorkshire and beyond.
As we mark Volunteers’ Week 2026, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who gives their time to help animals in need.
Behind every successful rescue story is a team of passionate volunteers working tirelessly to support animals through every stage of their journey.
Whether they’re helping with fundraising, transporting animals, supporting events, capturing professional photographs that help rescue dogs and cats find homes, or helping behind the scenes, volunteers enable Rain Rescue to reach more animals and provide the care they desperately need.
Thanks to the dedication of our supporters, volunteers and foster carers, in 2025 alone we:
These numbers represent far more than statistics. They represent frightened animals receiving the medical care they desperately need, neglected pets learning to trust again, and families welcoming a new best friend into their lives.
These numbers represent more than statistics. They represent frightened animals receiving lifesaving medical care, neglected pets learning to trust again, and families welcoming a new best friend into their lives.
Every volunteer hour contributes directly to making these outcomes possible.
Foster carers are a special type of volunteer who open their homes and hearts to animals in need.
Many dogs and cats arrive at Rain Rescue feeling scared, confused or recovering from illness, injury or neglect. A foster home provides them with a safe, loving environment where they can begin to heal.
Some animals need time to recover after veterinary treatment, while others simply need a calm environment away from the stress of kennel life. Foster carers provide comfort, stability and routine during this important stage of rehabilitation.
Every animal placed in foster care frees up valuable rescue space, allowing Rain Rescue to help even more dogs and cats in urgent need.
Without foster carers, many animals would have fewer opportunities to receive the individual attention and care they deserve.
Curious about what fostering is really like? Meet some of our amazing Rain Rescue dog foster carers in this short video and hear their stories first-hand. Watch our fostering video here
Animal rescue is a team effort. Rising costs, increasing numbers of animals needing support and growing demand for veterinary care mean that volunteers play a more important role than ever before.
Their kindness helps us stretch every donation further and maximise our impact for animals.
From walking dogs and transporting pets to fundraising and fostering, volunteers make a lasting difference every single day.
This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating every person who has given their time, skills and compassion to help rescue dogs and cats.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering or fostering, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
By joining our volunteer community, you could help provide lifesaving care, support animals on their journey to a new home, and be part of countless happy endings.
Together, we can continue giving vulnerable dogs and cats the second chance they deserve.
Thank you to every Rain Rescue volunteer and foster carer. Your support changes lives.
June is Adopt-a-Cat Month — a time dedicated to celebrating cats in need of loving homes and raising awareness about the importance of rescue and adoption.
At RAIN, we see every day just how life-changing adoption can be — not only for the cats who find safety and love, but also for the families who welcome them home.
Across the UK, countless cats are still waiting for their chance at a better life. Many arrive in rescue through no fault of their own — abandoned, found as strays, or surrendered when circumstances change.
By choosing to adopt, you are:
Every adoption truly makes a difference — far beyond just one animal.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that rescue cats are “damaged” or “difficult”.
In truth, most are simply waiting for stability, patience, and love.
At RAIN, we care for cats of all personalities:
There is a perfect match for almost every home — it’s just about finding the right one.
When you adopt from RAIN, you’re not just taking home a cat — you’re becoming part of a rescue journey built on care, rehabilitation, and hope.
We work closely with every cat to understand their personality, needs, and ideal home so we can make the best possible match.
Our team is here to support both you and your new cat every step of the way.
Even if you’re not ready to adopt, you can still make a huge difference:
Every bit of support helps us continue saving lives.
There are cats waiting right now for someone to choose them. This Adopt-a-Cat Month 2026, we encourage you to consider adopting a rescue cat and supporting animal welfare in your local community.
Founded in 2002, our charity has saved the lives of thousands of the cats and dogs most at risk in and around Yorkshire. Our rescue centre provides the space and support needed for these abandoned animals to recover, thrive and find a loving home.
