Volunteer with Saving Wildcats' veterinary and field teams
Saving Wildcats is a partnership project, led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), that is dedicated to preventing the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild.
The partnership is looking for a A Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), or qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) to support the veterinary and in-situ (field) conservation teams in a voluntary capacity.
Volunteering will give you the opportunity to contribute directly towards wildcat restoration in the Cairngorms National Park, as part of the Saving Wildcats team. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to secure a future for this iconic species.
Volunteers are provided with significant training and ongoing support from the in-situ conservation team and the veterinary team. This exciting role offers opportunities to gain direct practical experience of tracking mammals using GPS-radio collars, as well as data collection and handling. It also offers deeper insight into the complexities involved with in-situ fieldwork and the vital role that veterinary professionals play in conservation projects. Not only this, but the successful applicant will likely gain clinical experience with wildcats.
Volunteers are provided with accommodation (a private room in a shared hostel), an allowance of £55 per week to cover expenses, and a discount that can be used on site at Highland Wildlife Park for lunch. A full UK driving licence is required for this role.
Find out more
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter via email to gshooter@rzss.org.uk by the end of Tuesday 8 September 2026. In your cover letter, please explain why you would like to be considered for this experience and detail your availability.
