Volunteering: a journey of passion
Volunteering with us is one of the best ways you can support our work and help us get even more pooches back on their paws!
Alison has been volunteering at the Loughborough Centre for over 3 years and, like all our wonderful volunteers, makes and invaluable contribution to the care and rehoming journey of our dogs.
“I chose to volunteer for Dogs Trust as I would love to welcome a dog into our family, but it’s not the right time for us. This way I get to spend time with lots of dogs of different ages, sizes and breeds and do my small part in helping them find their forever home.
I also get to work with an amazing team of dedicated and caring individuals who are passionate about dogs. I have been volunteering one day a week for Dogs Trust for 3 years and have a number of roles, all of which I love!
I spend the morning on the road in a bright yellow Dogs Trust car visiting new foster carers on behalf of the Fostering Coordinators team, talking them through the fostering process, completing the paperwork and carrying out a home check.
This is so rewarding as I meet a wide range of wonderful people who very generously want to open up their home to those dogs that are struggling in kennels whilst they are waiting for their forever family.
Back at the centre I switch in to my Meet and Greet role for the afternoon. I am based in the Reception area and welcome members of the public to the centre, explain the adoption process, take them to see some of the dogs that are available to view and answer any enquiries they may have. I also help people to complete the initial adoption paperwork, and if they are successful, it’s wonderful to watch them fall in love and leave with their new four-legged member of the family.
I also take and sort donations of bedding, toys and food and help staff with admin tasks such as checking stock, putting together adoption packs and ‘going home’ bags, photocopying, laminating and creating display boards - anything that is asked of me.
No two days are ever the same, which makes it really interesting and fun. I am very fortunate that I get to say “Hello” to and to fuss a large number of dogs each week, and I am often asked to “Puppy sit” which is by far the best part of the role!”
“I am also an Events Volunteer which means I help out at events both onsite and at other venues such as ‘DogFest’. Onsite, I often help with supporter days; this usually involves setting up the room, making refreshments and taking groups on tours of the centre, showing them behind the scenes and explaining what we do.
At Christmas I help decorate the centre and prepare for and run the Christmas Fair. I have had the good fortune to be in charge of setting up the Santa’s Grotto, where any dog that comes to visit the fair can have their photo taken with Santa and receive a wrapped present.
This is a great event as everyone, especially the dogs really get in to the festive spirit !
I sometimes man a stand promoting the Dogs Trust within Pets at Home. This involves engaging with members of the public to promote awareness of the charity, the work we do, services we provide and to raise funds. I really enjoy this aspect of the role as you speak to so many interesting people who are also animal lovers and are passionate about their pets.
I have so much respect for all the staff at the centre, as they are so invested in the welfare of the dogs in their care and in finding them their forever homes, no matter how long that may take. It is a pleasure to help and support them in any way I can. Everyone is so warm and friendly, and you are made to feel very much part of the team.
I can’t recommend volunteering for the Dogs Trust enough. It is so rewarding to know that by giving a little of my time, I have helped so many dogs, in some small way, on their journey to find their forever family. I only wish I had started doing it sooner.
Alison, Volunteer
Volunteer for us
We have a wide variety of roles for volunteers and know the benefits volunteering can bring, not only to our work, but also to the volunteers themselves, as they find a passion and purpose in their role!
If you would like to join the team as a volunteer, please visit our volunteer vacancies page for available openings!
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