Category: News

Rescue Assistant (Consultant)

Position summary
The Rescue Assistant supports the day-to-day coordination of SAWS rescue operations, ensuring that animals in our care are healthy, documented, and progressing toward adoption. This volunteer role requires strong communication, organization, and follow-up skills. You’ll collaborate closely with fosters, adopters, veterinarians, and the SAWS team to ensure smooth, efficient, and compassionate rescue operations..

Key responsibilities
✨ Monitor the wellbeing of rescue animals through regular communication with fosters.
✨ Coordinate veterinary care, including appointments and follow-ups.
✨ Support the adoption process, including meet & greets and post-adoption check-ins.
✨ Assist with organizing animal records and required documentation.
✨ Help gather photos and updates to support adoption promotion.
✨ Support the team with general rescue coordination and operations.

Qualifications & skills
✔️ Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.
✔️ Compassionate, reliable, and proactive with good follow-up habits.
✔️ Comfortable using digital tools such as WhatsApp and Google Workspace.
✔️ Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
✔️ Fluency in English and/or Italian (German is a plus).
✔️ Passion for animal welfare and commitment to the SAWS mission.

What we offer
🌟 The opportunity to directly support life-saving rescue efforts and animal welfare.
🌟 A supportive, multicultural volunteer team environment.
🌟 Hands-on experience in rescue coordination, logistics, and communication.
🌟 Recognition and letters of reference for dedicated volunteers.

Join us!
If you’re organized, compassionate, and ready to make a real difference, join SAWS Inc. as a Volunteer Rescue Assistant! Help us ensure every animal receives the care, coordination, and support they need to find a loving home.

👉 Apply by filling out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Supply Coordinator (Board position)

Position summary
Do you love organization, logistics, and knowing that behind-the-scenes work truly saves lives? Join SAWS Inc. as our Volunteer Supply Coordinator and play a vital role in ensuring rescued animals across Sicily always have what they need to thrive. This position is essential to keeping our rescue operations efficient, transparent, and humane.

Location
For this role you would have to be a local community member. You don't need to live just around the corner, as long as you have a car and can get to our HQ.  It's a given, that you know how the community ticks, how the local area looks and what opportunities this gives SAWS.  Many planning tasks can be done remotely, but the magic happens when strong collaboration meets community spirit.

Position summary
The Supply Coordinator is responsible for managing, organizing, and overseeing all physical supplies used by SAWS Inc., including food, medical items, crates, and rescue kits. This volunteer role ensures that inventory is accurately tracked, supplies are well organized, and essential items are always available when animals enter care.

You’ll work closely with the Office Manager, Animal Care Director, and SAWS leadership to support daily operations, plan monthly purchases, and responsibly manage donated and purchased supplies.

Key responsibilities
✨ Inventory management
✨ Supply kits & categorization
✨ Food management
✨ Crate & transport box oversight
✨ Donations & redistribution
✨ Purchasing & planning

Qualificatins & skills
✔️ Highly organized and detail-oriented
✔️ Comfortable tracking inventory and maintaining systems
✔️ Reliable, responsible, and able to work independently
✔️ Strong communication skills when coordinating with leadership and volunteers
✔️ A mission-driven mindset with a commitment to animal welfare

What we offer
🌟 A direct, meaningful impact on the care and well-being of rescued animals
🌟 A supportive, international volunteer team that values structure and collaboration
🌟 Hands-on experience in nonprofit logistics and rescue operations
🌟 Recognition and letters of reference for dedicated volunteers

Join us!
If you’re caring, dependable, and ready to help cats and their foster families thrive - join SAWS Inc. as our Volunteer Cat Consultant! Your dedication can help transform lives and give every cat a chance at a brighter future.

👉 Apply by filling out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Communications Officer (Consultant position)

Position summary
Are you creative, self-driven, and passionate about telling meaningful stories? SAWS is looking for a Communications Officer to help share our rescue work and maintain a strong, engaging presence across our social media platforms.

In this volunteer role, you will create content that highlights adoptable animals, promotes events, educates the community, and celebrates the impact of SAWS. This position requires someone who is proactive, independent, and confident in producing reels and dynamic content that brings our mission to life. Communications Officers work under the Communications Director and collaborate with the Rescue and Events teams.

Location
The role does not require you to live in the Catania area, though local community members are warmly welcomed. Many planning tasks can be done remotely, but the magic happens when strong collaboration meets community spirit.

Key responsibilities
Social media management & content creation
✨ Create and schedule posts across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok using Meta Business Suite.
✨ Produce engaging content including reels, short videos, photos, and stories.
✨ Feature adoptable animals, foster updates, events, volunteer needs, and educational topics.
✨ Follow SAWS communication standards and branding style.

Community engagement
✨ Respond to comments and messages professionally and kindly.
✨ Help cultivate a positive and welcoming online community that reflects SAWS values.
✨ Share accurate information and refer sensitive questions to the Communications Director when needed.

Storytelling & awareness
✨ Highlight rescue stories, foster journeys, and SAWS programs.
✨ Support awareness days, ongoing campaigns, and fundraising efforts.
✨ Prepare courtesy posts according to SAWS schedule.

Team collaboration
✨ Coordinate with the Rescue Team to gather updates, photos, and approved information.
✨ Work with the Event Planner to promote events and activities.
✨ Maintain communication with the Communications Director on scheduling and planned absences.

Qualifications & skills
✔️ Experience creating social media content, especially reels and short-form videos.
✔️ Strong storytelling, writing, and visual communication skills.
✔️ Ability to work independently and take initiative without frequent direction.
✔️ Organized, reliable, and consistent in following communication standards.
✔️ Comfortable using Meta Business Suite; Canva or video-editing skills are a plus.
✔️ Passion for animal welfare and SAWS’ mission.

What We Offer
🌟 The opportunity to directly support animal rescue through creative communication.
🌟 A friendly, multicultural volunteer environment that values teamwork and compassion.
🌟 Skill development in digital marketing, visual storytelling, and nonprofit communications.
🌟 Letters of reference for dedicated volunteers.

How to Apply
👉 Apply by filling out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Join us!
If you’re ready to use your creativity to make a real impact for animals in need, join SAWS Inc. as our Communications Officer — where every story you share helps save a life.

Assistant Treasurer (Board position)

Position summary
The Assistant Treasurer works closely with the Treasurer to help collect receipts, track expenses, maintain accurate records, and prepare reports. This volunteer position plays a key supporting role in ensuring SAWS’s financial operations stay organized and compliant, while freeing up resources so we can focus on what matters most - helping animals.

Location
The role does not require you to live in the Catania area, though local community members are warmly welcomed. Many planning tasks can be done remotely, but the magic happens when strong collaboration meets community spirit.

Key responsibilities
✨ Assist the Treasurer in collecting and organizing receipts, invoices, and reimbursement forms.
✨ Help maintain financial records for animal medical care, supplies, TNR, HQ operations, and fundraising activities.
✨ Support data entry into the accounting software and assist in preparing monthly financial summaries.
✨ Help track donations and sponsorships, and maintain records for corporate donation requests.
✨ Assist with budget updates, reimbursements, and financial tracking for special projects or events.
✨ Prepare draft reports and assist with documentation for board meetings and audits.
✨ Serve as backup for the Treasurer during absences, ensuring continuity in financial management.

Preferred qualifications
✔️ Basic knowledge of bookkeeping, data entry, or financial record keeping (training provided).
✔️ Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management.
✔️ Ability to work collaboratively and communicate clearly with the Treasurer and Board.
✔️ Familiarity with Google Workspace, Excel, or simple accounting tools is a plus.
✔️ A passion for animal welfare and a willingness to learn.

Time commitment
This volunteer role averages 2–4 hours per week, with flexible scheduling based on organizational needs. Attendance at monthly board meetings (in person or online) may be requested on occasion, and it would be greatly appreciated if you would set aside some time for our events.

What we offer
🌟 The chance to directly support animal rescue operations across Sicily.
🌟 A friendly, multicultural volunteer environment that values teamwork and compassion.
🌟 Opportunities to develop new skills in nonprofit administration and financial coordination.
🌟 Recognition and letters of reference for dedicated volunteers.

Join us!
If you’re ready to lend a helping paw to our mission and grow your experience in nonprofit work, join SAWS Inc. as our Assistant Treasurer - where every detail you handle helps save a life.

👉 Apply by filling out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Event Planner (Board position)

Position summary
Do you love bringing people together, organizing fun events, and using your creativity to make a real difference for animals? Join our dynamic team at Sigonella Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (SAWS Inc.) as our Volunteer Event Planner! In this exciting role, you’ll help design, coordinate, and execute events that raise awareness, build community, and support our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals across Sicily.

Location
We would prefer this role to be a local community member, but you don't need to live just around the corner. It's a given, that you know how the community ticks, how the local area looks and what opportunities this gives SAWS.  Many planning tasks can be done remotely, but the magic happens when strong collaboration meets community spirit.

Position summary
The Event Planner is responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and executing engaging, mission-driven events such as fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and adoption drives. This volunteer role requires strong organizational and communication skills, creativity, and teamwork. You’ll collaborate closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and Communications team to ensure every event is well-staffed, well-promoted, and aligned with the SAWS mission.

Key responsibilities
✨ Plan and execute quarterly events including adoption fairs, car washes, community drives, galas, and educational Q&A sessions.
✨ Ensure event dates do not conflict with major base or local community events to maximize attendance.
✨ Maintain event materials such as decorations, posters, and promotional supplies.
✨ Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure adequate staffing for each event, assigning roles and responsibilities as needed.
✨ Collaborate with the Communications team to promote events across social media, newsletters, and flyers.
✨ Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses, and monitor cost-effectiveness.
✨ Coordinate vendors, sponsors, and community partners for events.
✨ Oversee on-site event setup, registration, and smooth execution from start to finish.
✨ Collect post-event feedback, track donations, and prepare short event reports for the Board.
✨ Assist with planning and organizing special fundraising campaigns and awareness activities to increase community engagement.

Qualificatins & skills
✔️ Creative thinker with strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
✔️ Excellent communication and teamwork skills for coordinating with staff, volunteers, and vendors.
✔️ Experience in event planning, logistics, or public relations is an asset (but not required).
✔️ Ability to manage budgets, timelines, and competing priorities effectively.
✔️ A mission-driven attitude and passion for animal welfare.

What we offer
🌟 The opportunity to create memorable community events that directly support animal rescue efforts.
🌟 A fun, creative, and multicultural volunteer team that values compassion and collaboration.
🌟 Opportunities to develop event management, leadership, and communication skills.
🌟 Recognition and letters of reference for dedicated volunteers.

Join us!
If you’re full of ideas, love teamwork, and want to make a difference - join SAWS Inc. as our Volunteer Event Planner! Help us create events that inspire compassion, build community, and make tails wag across Sicily.
👉 Apply by filling out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.