Trustee

• DAWGS

• VO103062

About Us
DAWGS (Dog Action Working Group Scotland) is a Scottish-based dog charity with a big heart and a clear mission: to find loving new homes for dogs in need or whose owners can no longer care for them. Since 1994, we've rehomed thousands of dogs across Scotland - and we’re just getting started.

We’re a small but passionate team, supported by an incredible network of volunteers and our experienced Rehoming Manager. Through structured assessments and thoughtful placements, we ensure each dog finds the right home, not just any home.

We don’t own our own kennels (yet!), so we work flexibly using commercial kennels, foster homes, or keeping dogs in their current home until we find the perfect match.

Beyond rehoming, we offer financial assistance to owners in crisis via our Welfare Fund and support our local community with a dog food bank at our charity shop in Alford. We also collaborate with behaviourists, fellow charities, and dog-friendly businesses to advocate for a better future for dogs in Scotland.

We receive no government funding — our work is powered by donations, fundraising, and revenue from our charity shop.
Now, we’re looking for a new trustee to join our board and help guide our next chapter.

Role Overview
As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in the strategic direction and governance of our charity. Working with a passionate team, you will ensure we operate in line with our values and charitable objectives while maintaining compliance with Scottish charity law and best practices.

Key Responsibilities
• Contribute actively to board discussions, policy development, and decision-making.
• Ensure financial stability and sustainability by overseeing budgets and fundraising strategies.
• Uphold the charity’s mission, safeguarding its integrity and public reputation.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting awareness and encouraging support.
• Support operational staff and volunteers where appropriate, offering guidance and encouragement.
• Attend and prepare for regular trustee meetings (monthly), plus occasional subcommittee or event participation.

What We Offer
• A meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in dogs’ lives.
• A supportive and dedicated board and volunteer network.
• Training and onboarding support for new trustees.

How to Apply
To express your interest, please send a short cover letter, setting out your motivation and skills for this role, along with a CV (or LinkedIn profile). We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive board.

Experience required

We’re Looking For People Who
• Have a passion for animal welfare, especially dog rescue and rehoming.
• Bring relevant skills such as finance, fundraising, legal, social media/marketing, commercial acumen, governance, or veterinary knowledge.
• Are collaborative and willing to challenge constructively, be willing to roll up your sleeves and take the lead on initiatives that come up.
• Understand, or are willing to learn, about the responsibilities of a charity trustee in Scotland.
• Can commit the necessary time and energy to the role.

Desirable (but not required)
• Experience working or volunteering in the third sector.
• Familiarity with OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) requirements.
• Based in Scotland or with strong ties to the region.

Travel details

Location: Aberdeenshire (hybrid/remote options considered)

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