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Volunteers at RSPCA

Meet some of our volunteers!

Shelter - Kennels

Lynn volunteers in our Kennels/Adoption area every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Lynn has been a volunteer for over 4 years.

Lynn says “There are a variety of reasons that motivate me to work here at the RSPCA. I have a particular interest in dogs and their various breeds, I thoroughly enjoy interacting with staff and public and the tasks I undertake are varied to my usual job.” Lynn goes on to say “I decided to volunteer at the RSPCA as I owned a shop and I found I wanted a break from the monotony. I was looking to do something different and the RSPCA looked like a great place to volunteer. I initially started working in the kennels and transferred over to adoption interacting with the public.”

Lynn describes her role in Kennels/Adoption as “consisting of assisting the adoption officers with rehousing suitable dogs to suitable owners. I spend a lot of quality time getting to know the dogs to ensure as much information as possible can be passed on to perspective owners. I also clean, feed, walk and socialise the adoption dogs.

“The most rewarding experience for me is hearing the success stories of an adoptee. There is such a feeling of self satisfaction knowing that the particular dog adopted has settled in well and the new owners are happy with their choice of dog.”

Clinic

Danya volunteers in our Veterinary Clinic every Thursday from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Danya has volunteered for over 3 years.

Danya says, “There are a variety of reasons that motivate me to work at the RSPCA. I thoroughly enjoy the clinic atmosphere and find all the tasks I involve myself with interesting and fulfilling. Being included as part of the team enabling me to learn new skills is extremely rewarding. I also find working with such a variety of animals motivates me to continue volunteering my time each week.”

Danya goes onto to say that “Volunteering in the Clinic enables me to assist in a variety of roles. I clean animal cages, provide basic medical treatments and observations of convalescing animals, clean surgical instruments, fold surgical drapes, ensure prep areas are tidy, groom animals, assist nurses and vets when required and any other tasks as necessary. I have also assisted with promotions and events when available.”

Danya decided to volunteer in the Clinic because “I enjoy the hospital environment. My main interest is in the Clinic dealing with injured and recovering animals. Spending time with anxious animals and using my own abilities to calm them gives me a sense of self satisfaction. I also thoroughly enjoy providing animal socialisation to timid and needy animals, which provides variety to my paid job.

“The most personally rewarding experience for me is being seen as part of the team. This gives me a sense of responsibility and reliability knowing that I am making a difference. I also enjoy the fact that I am able to be involved in such a variety of tasks learning many new skills on a day to day basis.

Shelter - Cattery

Michael volunteers in our Cattery every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Michael has volunteered at the RSPCA for over 21 years and is currently our second longest serving volunteer at the RSPCA State Office.

Michael says, “I enjoy the staff interaction, as well as the hard work. This gives me job satisfaction and motivates me to continue to volunteer at the RSPCA.”

Michael wanted to work with the cats because they are his favourite species of animal. Michael says, “My role involves assisting with cleaning cat pens, washing and sterilising feed-bowls, water bowls and litter trays, disinfecting my work area and ensuring the cattery entrance is clean.

“The most personally rewarding experience for me is knowing that I am helping others. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with animals and staff and have formed many friendships throughout my years of working here.”

Administration - IT

Barry volunteers in the IT Department of the RSPCA every Thursday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Barry has been a volunteer for over 2 years.

Barry says “Working for an worthwhile society that takes care of stray and unwanted animals motivates me to volunteer my time at the RSPCA. Knowing that I am using my skills to help out is extremely rewarding.

“After attending the information session and having my skills assessed, I realised they could be used to benefit the organisation. After deliberation with the Volunteer Manager, it was decided that I would assist in the IT department.”

Barry goes on to say “Although my role is purely on the software side it has varied over time. I initially prepared IT training materials whereas I now assist with researching the application data definitions of existing systems. This involves looking at the structure of a data base in preparation for new applications. I also assist with promotions and special events attending functions promoting the RSPCA and its cause.”

Barry says “Knowing that I am making a contribution to the overall society by using my skills is extremely rewarding. Since there are not many volunteers assisting in this particular area, I know that I am helping where it is required.”

Administration - Volunteer Resources

Suzanne is a much valued and experienced volunteer in our Volunteer Resources team every Thursday from 10am – 2pm and has been a volunteer for nearly 2 years. Suzanne assists with a range of administrative tasks including responding to volunteer email queries, filing, updating rosters and preparing for major events.

 “I heard about this role through my son who has been volunteering in the Cattery for 3 years. I wanted to contribute to the community in some way and felt that my administration skills could assist with the co-ordination of the hundreds of volunteers the RSPCA relies on and help new volunteers who would like to contribute.

I also volunteer at annual Events such as All Creatures Open Day and Million Paws Walk where I took registrations this year. It’s rewarding to be involved “For all creatures great and small” and help in their wellbeing.”

Opportunity Shop

Pauline volunteers in our Opportunity Shop every Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Pauline has volunteered for over 7 years.

Pauline says "My love of animals is what motivates me to volunteer at the RSPCA. I have several animals at home birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs. The majority of these have been adopted from the RSPCA over time.

"I appreciate what the RSPCA stands for and it has always been my ambition to volunteer here once I retired. I have achieved my ambition.

"My role requires me to act as a supervisor of both the RSPCA Opportunity Shop and the Creature Comforts Shop. I am responsible for sorting through donated goods, pricing of stock, tallying of end of day takings, supervising and sometimes training new volunteers, general customer service and any other tasks as required."

Pauline works in the Opportunity Shop even though she was initially volunteering at the Welfare front counter. "I wanted a change, so I decided to transfer over to the Opportunity Shop. I generally liked the shop and its atmosphere and volunteering there seemed like fun. After consultation with the Volunteer Resource Manager I was transferred to the shop and have been there ever since."

Pauline says "The fact of working for an organisation that believes the welfare of animals is paramount is the most rewarding experience for me. Working with such a diverse range of staff exchanging skills and knowledge makes my day very interesting. I know that by volunteering in the shop I am assisting with raising funds towards the welfare of the animals in the Shelter."

Education Barn

Carol volunteers in our Education Centre and Barn every Monday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

“I initially adopted two dogs from the RSPCA 16 years ago and since they enriched my life so much, I was motivated to give something back by volunteering. I was also aware of the good work that the RSPCA does on a day to day basis and wanted to contribute to that.”

Carol says, “I find my role at the RSPCA diverse and interesting dealing with a variety of both farm and domesticated animals. I work with horses, goats, a cow, an emu, sheep, a goose, cats, rabbits and dogs. Not only do I feed and clean up after these animals, I also assist with educational presentations when school children come to visit the centre.”

Carol says, “I wanted to volunteer in the Education Centre and Barn as it is a completely different line of work to my everyday job. I also wanted to interact with a variety of animals and I am able to achieve this by working in this particular department.

“The most rewarding aspect of working at the RSPCA is educating young children about general animal care and animal cruelty. Knowing they go away telling other people about their experience is highly rewarding. Watching children’s faces when they interact with the animals for the first time is an experience I also thoroughly enjoy.”

Retail

Caroline volunteers in our Retail Department at Burwood every Wednesday from 12:00 – 4:00pm. Our Retail Department sells a wide range of pet care products and Caroline assists with sorting and labelling stock, ensuring the products are presented professionally and helping with administrative tasks as needed.

Caroline has been a volunteer for six months and is a wonderful support to this Department.

Caroline says “Everyone’s heard about the RSPCA. I’ve always loved animals. I’ve done horse riding in the past and work experience with a Vet. Now that I’m at Uni I have no direct contact with animals. The welfare of animals has always been of interest to me and I wanted to contribute. I find it rewarding knowing that the profits from the sale of the merchandise I handle goes towards the animals. It’s ok to say you want to be involved helping but this way I can actually make a contribution. The most rewarding times are when I’m working on the floor near adoption and seeing the happy animals going to new homes and know that they are going to be well cared for”.

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