Volunteer Spotlight: Anjuli Cooper

In this blog, we’re shining a light on another brilliant volunteer helping to steer RATS behind the scenes. Trustee and Marketing Team Leader, Anjuli, plays a key role in raising awareness of our work and makes sure the animals in our care are seen, supported, and celebrated.

Since joining the charity in early 2023, Anjuli has built the marketing team from the ground up, turning a solo effort into a brilliant group of volunteers that help RATS reach more people than ever before.

We spoke to Anjuli about her journey with RATS, and what being a Trustee means to her.

How did you come to be involved with the charity?

At the start of 2023 I’d just returned to work after having a baby and was looking for a meaningful way to spend my spare time. I really wanted to help animals and RATS stood out to me as a small, friendly local rescue with a compassionate philosophy to never put a healthy animal to sleep.

I initially joined as a dog walker, but everything changed a few weeks later when a severely neglected puppy named Rex was surrendered to us. He was close to death, having suffered horrific mistreatment. I offered to write a press release to share Rex’s story, which marked the beginning of my involvement in the marketing and I took over the charity’s marketing efforts soon after.

Over the past two years, the marketing team has grown into a group of more than 15 regular volunteers, organised into functions such as design, digital, and social media.

How do you use your marketing skills to help the animals?

Along with the rest of the team I help to raise awareness of RATS and the animals in need. We encourage donations through impactful campaigns, storytelling and clear communication about how people's support makes a difference. We also engage with supporters and the wider community on a regular basis.

We are always looking to improve and use social media, email marketing, and a range of online and offline materials to share the stories of the animals in our care. We also share educational content and promote upcoming community events and fundraisers.

Is there a campaign you've worked on at RATS that you're particularly proud of?

At the end of 2023, just weeks before the government ban on rehoming XL Bully dogs came into effect, we were faced with an urgent and emotional challenge. A two-year-old XL Bully named Coco was brought into the rescue after months of neglect, having been kept in isolation in an abandoned home with very little human interaction.

We had limited time and mounting pressure – as many other XL Bullies were also in need of homes – and we knew that if we didn’t find Coco a family quickly, she would have to spend the rest of her life in the shelter.

In response, we launched ‘Coco’s Christmas Miracle’ campaign. A heartfelt Christmas card was designed and distributed featuring Coco’s story, and we hosted a Hot Cocoa for Coco event at the kennels to raise awareness. We also issued a press release to highlight Coco’s situation and the urgency of the campaign.

A local couple then saw the appeal in one of the newspapers and contacted the kennels, and after meeting Coco and bonding with her, they chose to adopt her. Today, Coco is living a fulfilled and happy life by the seaside with her new family and their other dog – a true Christmas miracle!

Have you experienced any challenges in the role?

Loving animals is important, but it’s only part of the job, which also involves making careful and sometimes difficult choices, and working closely with people who have different perspectives. Clear communication is essential to make sure we’re all on the same page, so the animals receive the best care. So far, it’s been a really humbling and rewarding experience that’s helped me grow – not just as a trustee, but as a person too.

One of the biggest challenges we face is working with limited resources – whether that’s time, funding, or people. Since we’re all volunteers, everyone’s juggling their charity work alongside other personal and professional commitments.

The team has grown, and we each have our own areas to focus on, but with limited capacity, things don’t always move as quickly or smoothly as we’d like. That said, everyone’s energy and dedication is incredible, and we always focus on what will make the biggest impact. It’s this passion that keeps us motivated and moving forward every day.

What would you say to someone considering supporting or getting involved with RATS?

Do it – you won’t regret it. We're always looking for passionate people to join our friendly and supportive community. RATS may be a small charity, but it has a big heart – and volunteering with us is not only rewarding but genuinely life-changing.

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved, get in touch with us for a chat – there are so many ways to use your time, energy, and skills to make a real, lasting difference for the animals that need it.

Working in animal welfare comes with its challenges, but the joy it brings is truly unmatched. When you see a once-scared animal – like a dog who used to sit shaking or withdrawn in the back of their kennel, or a cat who would hide away, too frightened to come close – slowly start to trust, it’s incredibly moving.

When the day finally comes that they find their forever home, and you see photos of them running freely around their new garden or stretched out on a sunny windowsill, completely relaxed and happy, you really understand exactly why you do what you do.

What do you think the future of RATS looks like – and what are you most excited about?

I think the future of RATS is really bright. We’ve come such a long way already, and there’s still so much more we can do.

There are lots of exciting things on the horizon – we’re aiming to grow our online following, raise more awareness about the charity, and continue improving all areas of our marketing.

One of the biggest milestones ahead is the rebuild of our kennels. For years, the dogs have been housed in an old piggery – it’s cold, drafty, and just not right anymore. We’re absolutely thrilled to be replacing it with a brand-new, purpose-built facility that will finally give our dogs the warm, safe, and comfortable space they deserve.

More than anything, I’m looking forward to seeing even more animals find the love and safety they need. With the continued support of our amazing community, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

What does being part of the RATS team mean to you?

Being part of the team means being part of something bigger than myself – surrounded by people who care just as deeply about making a difference in the lives of animals in need.

We may not be able to save every animal, but when you see the transformation in just one life – the moment you look into their eyes and realise you’ve changed their world – it’s all worth it. It reminds you that making a difference for that one is powerful, meaningful, and enough.