Meet the Team: Charlotte, Animal Welfare Officer
25 July 2024
As part of our Meet the Team Series, we’re introducing our brilliant staff members to our supporters so you can get to know them a bit better...
Kicking things off is Charlotte, a member of our Animal Welfare Team who first joined the Branch in May 2018 as an Animal Welfare Officer. Charlotte has recently returned to her role after a year’s sabbatical serving in the army in Cyprus.
Read her Meet the Team interview below:
What made you first want to join the RSPCA?
I wanted to work for the RSPCA as I knew I wanted to help animals. The animal welfare officer role at our branch specifically appealed to me as I knew that I would get to help with the whole process, I see them when they get rescued, help them feel better and then find them new homes.
What does a typical day/week in the job of an animal welfare officer look like?
We don’t really have any typical days or weeks, as our job varies day to day. But during a ‘normal’ week this would include many visits to the cattery, kennels or fosterers to collect or drop off animals, transporting animals to and from the vets, administering medication, vet appointments, home visits, adoption packs, cleaning out animals, cleaning animal equipment, lots of behind the scenes admin for example enquiry forms, welfares and general emails.
What’s the best part and the most challenging part of your role?
How much of a rollercoaster it can be in terms of emotions, sometimes you can be dealing with excited adopters ready to meet their new addition to the home and 10 minutes later you could be collecting an animal to take to the vets to go over rainbow bridge due to medical issues. It’s a skill that you learn over time to keep your emotions professional due to being public facing.
Apart from your own pets, if you could own another animal, what would it be and why?
An Iguana or Iguanas as a pair or group, I loved looking after them when I was at college. Exotics are one of my favourites, I love learning about them, I love their care routines and I find them super interesting.
Who inspires you and why?
I inspire myself. I have been through a lot in my life, met a lot of obstacles and I’ve always carried on. I have achieved everything in my life on my own and I am proud of my drive to enjoy life and all of my accomplishments.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
After living in Cyprus for 6 months, definitely there, you get to drive on the same side of the road, everyone speaks English, its such a beautiful country, so much history, amazing food and the weather is lovely all year round minus a few days of rain! Favourite season is summer if you couldn’t tell.
If you could learn any skill or master a hobby overnight what would it be?
Playing the piano! I’ve always found it mesmerising. I’d also love to learn sign language or another language such as Spanish, Italian or Greek.
Sunrise or Sunset?
Always sunset, I love the beauty behind it. Sunsets abroad or in the summer months when it’s warm outside are my favourite.
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