Get Involved

Trappers are the backbone of our mission. In this role, you’ll be out in the field—literally—working in backyards, alleys, porches, parking lots, and front steps to humanely trap outdoor cats in need of help. Whether it’s a call about kittens under a shed or a long-running colony in need of TNR, you’ll be the friendly, capable face of CRA in the community.

This role is more than just setting a trap—it’s about building trust in communities, coordinating logistics, and getting cats off the streets. You’ll often liaise between residents, shelters, foster volunteers, transporters, and veterinary clinics. You’ll be supported by CRA’s field ops team and gradually take on more independence as you gain experience.

You’ll begin by shadowing experienced trappers, learning our approach to communication and strategy, and slowly taking on more responsibility as you feel comfortable. 

What this role involves:

• Driving to trapping locations and safely setting/retrieving traps

• Communicating with residents and caregivers with empathy and clarity

• Assessing situations and documenting the number/condition of cats

• Collaborating with CRA’s internal team and external partners (e.g., vet clinics, shelters)

• Transporting cats or coordinating pickups with other volunteers

• Keeping detailed notes and photos

You’d be a great fit if you:

• Are patient, calm, and quick-thinking

• Have a flexible schedule (trapping often happens evenings/weekends)

• Are comfortable working in varied outdoor settings

• Have access to a car and can lift 20–30lb traps

• Want to build deep, local impact through animal rescue

High-need areas: We especially need field volunteers in Brockton and Dorchester, and their surrounding towns. If you're farther out, we still welcome you—but will priorize those who are able to assist in those communities. 

Fosters are often the turning point in a cat’s life. Whether you're holding a cat safely overnight after a trapping or helping socialize a kitten before adoption, you provide a critical bridge between rescue and recovery.

There are two main types of in-home support:

💤 Overnight Holding

For cats who were just trapped and have a vet appointment the next morning. They’ll stay in their trap, in a quiet room in your home, usually for less than 24 hours. This helps us avoid long drives or unsafe holding spaces. Typically, no direct handling is required.

🐾 Fostering & Socialization

For friendly adults or kittens who need a place to land before adoption. Some cats need time to heal, put on weight, adjust to human interaction, or await shelter placement. 

What this role involves:

• Providing a quiet, enclosed space to house cat crates or traps

• Following care instructions and communicating any changes in behavior or health

• Basic caregiving: food, water, litter, and check-ins

• Documenting behavior and sending photos/videos

• Helping coordinate shelter or RTO next steps 

You’d be a great fit if you:

• Have a consistent schedule and a predictable home environment

• Are comfortable with basic caregiving

• Can lift ~15–30lb carriers or traps (or coordinate handoffs)

• Are detail-oriented and observant

We can provide training and support as needed. Even short-term help can make a life-saving difference.

Our work hinges on volunteers who can get cats where they need to go—quickly and safely. You might drive cats to/from surgery, pick up gear from a trapping location, or help with cross-town transfers. This is our most critical need at the moment, and the single biggest logistical hurdle to getting cats the care that they need. 

This role is for you if you:

• Have a flexible schedule

• Own an enclosed vehicle (no open beds or trunks)

• Are comfortable transporting cats in carriers or traps

• Like being a behind-the-scenes hero

Help connect the dots behind the scenes. This is an organizational brain role. You’ll help manage incoming requests for help, coordinate trapping schedules, track case status, and follow up with volunteers. You may also help respond to inquiries from shelters, fosters, or residents.

This role is for you if you:

• Are organized and detail-oriented

• Enjoy coordinating moving parts and people

• Communicate clearly and kindly

• Can manage light data entry or message tracking in Airtable, Slack, or email

• Want to make a big impact without the physical elements

In this role, you help bring our work to life—raising awareness, building trust, and bringing in the support we need to keep going. From telling the stories of the cats we help, to highlighting our volunteers, to sharing urgent needs—you help others see what we do and feel why it matters.

This role includes opportunities like:

• Sharing success stories and field updates on social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)

• Writing and scheduling posts to highlight adoptable cats, urgent needs, or volunteer wins

• Designing graphics, reels, or flyers to support campaigns

• Helping draft or edit email newsletters or donor updates

• Photographing or filming volunteers, cats, or events

• Supporting fundraising pushes (e.g. Giving Tuesday, summer appeals)

• Reaching out to local press, media outlets, or community groups

Ideal for people who:

• Enjoy writing, social media, photography, or creative projects

• Are passionate about animals and community-powered rescue

• Are detail-oriented, proactive, and good with deadlines

• Want to contribute consistently, even from home

• Are looking for meaningful, resume-building nonprofit experience

Commitment & Benefits:

• This is a flexible, remote-friendly role with most work done online.

• Weekly or biweekly rhythm is ideal (1–4 hours/week depending on your bandwidth).

• Volunteers will collaborate with CRA leadership, trappers/fosters, and other volunteers to collect stories and content.

• These volunteers will have a big hand in shaping our public voice and expanding our impact. You’ll learn nonprofit comms and strategy, and you’ll help raise real dollars to fund medical care, food, and shelter for cats across Massachusetts.