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Association of Protecting Exotic Species CIC
Association of Protecting Exotic Species CIC
Shelter & Rescue, Pet Shop, Pet Care Clinic & more.

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Volunteer and Student Placements at APES 🐍🦎

Volunteering with the Association of Protecting Exotic Species CIC is more than giving up your time. It is an
opportunity to learn, develop, gain practical experience and become part of a serious animal welfare organisation.


Our volunteers and students are actively trained on site, supported while carrying out their role and given real responsibilities within the organisation. We do not see volunteers as “just volunteers”. Every person who gives their time to APES is treated with the same respect, expectations and professional standards as a paid member of staff.


APES CIC is a non profit organisation regulated by the CIC Commission, and our work depends on committed people who care about animal welfare, public education and responsible exotic species care.

​​What our Volunteers, Students and Staff get.

"Volunteers get 2% off at our shop."

​​About Volunteering and Student Placements

All volunteers receive practical training linked to the duties they carry out. This may include animal care routines, welfare monitoring, cleaning standards, biosecurity, safe handling practices, customer service, administration, rescue support or other role specific tasks.


Training is not limited to a one off induction. Volunteers continue to learn while working alongside experienced team members, supervisors and department leads. This helps each person build confidence, understand standards and carry out their role safely and responsibly.

How are Documents Shared?

At APES, volunteers are part of the workforce. Their time, role and contribution matter.


This means volunteers are expected to follow the same standards of conduct, welfare practice, safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and professionalism as paid staff. In return, volunteers should be treated with the same respect, support and fairness as any other team member.


Volunteer roles are not informal or unimportant. They are part of how APES delivers animal welfare, public support and organisational operations.

Students joining APES through college, university or independent placement routes receive practical experience that supports and expands their education.


We aim to provide extra curricular education outside of college and university settings, helping students connect academic learning with real animal welfare practice. This may include exposure to exotic species care, welfare assessment, operational procedures, public facing services, administration, teamwork, communication and professional conduct.


Students are encouraged to ask questions, build confidence and develop the practical and personal skills needed for future employment, further study or animal welfare careers.

Students and new volunteers may be supported through buddy systems, mentoring and guided team working where available.


The purpose of this support is to help people settle into the organisation, understand their role, develop confidence and build good working habits. We want people to leave APES with more than experience on paper. We want them to leave with better confidence, stronger communication skills, improved responsibility and a clearer understanding of professional animal welfare work.

By volunteering or completing a student placement with APES, you may gain:


🐾 Practical experience in animal welfare and exotic species care
🐾 On site training linked to your role
🐾 Support from experienced team members
🐾 A better understanding of rescue, rehabilitation and welfare work
🐾 Experience working within a professional organisation
🐾 Personal development and confidence building
🐾 Evidence of experience for future employers, colleges or universities
🐾 Opportunities to grow into more responsible roles where suitable

Because volunteers and students are treated as part of the team, we expect commitment, reliability and professionalism.


This includes attending agreed shifts, following instructions, respecting confidentiality, treating people fairly, putting animal welfare first and asking for support when unsure. APES will provide guidance and training, but every volunteer and student must take their role seriously.

Volunteer Accreditation & Certification

We like to help not just animals but people, that is why we provide upskilling, with certification available to purchase. Also, we provide our own certificates to help volunteers show potential employers their experience.


Helping volunteers into paid work. 

​​Roles That Need Filling

We are actively recruiting applicants who can lead small teams, coordinate shifts, and uphold welfare, safety, and biosecurity standards. If you have leadership experience (from work, study, or community roles), please select Volunteer Manager or Supervisor as your first-choice role.

🐾 Volunteer and Student Roles

Roles Available at APES

Join the Association of Protecting Exotic Species CIC and help support exotic animal rescue, rehabilitation, public education and daily operations. Volunteers and students receive support, training and guidance linked to the role they carry out.

On premises

Animal Care Assistant

Supports daily animal care, feeding, cleaning, enclosure checks, enrichment and welfare observations under supervision.

Animal WelfareTraining providedStudent suitable
On premises

Exotic Animal Rehabilitation Assistant

Assists with structured care routines, welfare monitoring, handling support and rehabilitation tasks where appropriate.

Animal WelfareSupervised rolePractical learning
On premises

Biosecurity and Welfare Support Assistant

Helps maintain hygiene, cleaning routines, welfare records and safe working practices across animal care areas.

Animal WelfareHealth and safetyQuality standards
Hybrid

Rescue and Transport Volunteer

Supports safe animal transport, supply movement, collection planning and rescue related logistics when required.

Rescue SupportDriving helpfulFlexible hours
Hybrid

Foster Carer

Provides temporary care for suitable animals, with APES guidance, welfare checks and role specific support.

Animal WelfareHome based careChecks required
Hybrid

Volunteer Team Leader

Helps coordinate volunteers, support shift standards, guide new starters and uphold welfare and safety expectations.

LeadershipOperationsTeam support
Student suitable

Volunteer Buddy and Mentor

Supports new volunteers and students by helping them settle in, understand routines and build confidence.

Personal developmentInduction supportStudent support
Hybrid

Application Screener

Reviews volunteer and student placement applications, checks information and helps organise next steps with the team.

OperationsAdministrationConfidentiality
Remote

APES Call Handler

Supports public enquiries, message taking, call routing and basic information gathering for relevant departments.

OperationsPublic contactRemote option
Hybrid

Education and Outreach Assistant

Helps deliver public education, talks, events and learning activities linked to responsible exotic species care.

EducationPublic engagementStudent suitable
Hybrid

Fundraising and Community Volunteer

Supports donation campaigns, local engagement, fundraising events and community contact for APES projects.

FundraisingCommunityEvents
On premises

Pet Shop Support Volunteer

Assists with shop support, stock presentation, basic customer guidance and promoting responsible animal care products.

Retail supportCustomer serviceAnimal care focus
Remote

Marketing and Content Volunteer

Creates posts, updates, graphics, stories and awareness content to help promote APES services and campaigns.

MarketingCreativeFlexible
Student suitable

Veterinary Support Student

Supports animal health related tasks under appropriate supervision, suitable for relevant student placement pathways.

Pet Care ClinicSupervised learningPlacement role
On premises

Facilities and Enclosure Support

Helps with safe setup, cleaning support, basic maintenance and practical tasks linked to animal housing areas.

FacilitiesPractical roleAnimal housing
Hybrid

Donations and Stock Support

Sorts donated items, supports supply records, prepares stock and helps ensure animal care items are available when needed.

OperationsStock supportDonation handling
No roles match your search. Try another keyword or choose a different role type.

Ready to get involved?

Apply for a volunteer or student placement role and help APES deliver practical animal welfare, education and rescue support.

Apply Now

​Apply to Volunteer or Join a Student Placement

Whether you are looking to support animals, gain experience, build confidence or explore a future career in animal welfare, APES may be able to help you take that next step.


Apply now to join our volunteer and student placement programme and become part of a team working to protect, rehabilitate and support exotic species.

Apply Now

​​Be An Foster Carer

From cuddling to administering care treatments we have lots of hands-on volunteer vacancies that you could get involved with.

As a practical animal care foster carer, you will be provided with training to ensure you are able to carry out the duties without risk to your health. Therefore, we require a commitment from you to come into the center regularly, and be available for visits from our center animal care director.

Applications Coming Soon