Volunteering

This is Andrew.
Andrew has been volunteering with us since he was about 20yrs old so that’s almost 10 years he’s been helping us now! Andrew started volunteering because he was keen to work with animals and he is a great help around the centre as he is willing to get his hands dirty and help with anything needing done. His favourite thing to do however is helping to walk the dogs and his enjoyment doing this really shows, so much so he recently persuaded his parents to let him get a dog of his own, so when he’s not walking our dogs he’s out walking his own dog, Stanley!

Andrew loves taking photographs in his spare time and often sends us lovely pictures of the animals in our care.

Volunteering with us has helped Andrew learn new things about caring for all different kinds of animals and of course helped prepare him for looking after his own dog. It has also really helped Andrew’s confidence and he often comes along to our events to help support the charity as much as he can.

Thank you for all your help Andrew and keep up the good work!

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This is James. He has been volunteering here for over two years now!

James is a valued member of the volunteer team and is here come rain or shine. He comes to the centre with his carer as he is on the autistic spectrum. He is particularly keen on working at the Warren which is where we keep our rabbits and guinea pigs.

We know that when James is in he will do a thorough job of cleaning, grooming, feeding and stroking the small furries we have.

Apart from volunteering here James enjoys many other activities and is a busy man! Speaking to James, his carers and his parents, we know that he gets a tremendous feeling of worth through helping us at the centre. He certainly has an affinity with our smaller animals and tends to prefer to stick with what he knows. This suits us just fine as everybody has skills that we can use.

Thanks James!

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This is Lauren.

Lauren is one of our newest volunteers and has only been with us for about 2 months now but is already expanding her knowledge of animal care including how to act around nervous animals and the dietary requirements of cats and small furries. This will certainly help Lauren as she hopes to pursue a career as a Vet Nurse when she finishes High School.

Lauren does a little bit of everything when she’s volunteering with us including walking (and playing with) the dogs, feeding and cuddling the cats, feeding the small furries and cleaning any pens that need done.

Lauren is certainly busy with school, looking after her own cocker spaniel and 2 cats, painting, drawing and reading so it’s great that she has made the time and effort to come along to help us with the animals in our care.

Thank you Lauren, keep up the good work!

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This is Dawn, a self confessed “crazy cat lady” who has been volunteering with us on and off for about 5 years now. She started volunteering, not surprisingly, due to her love of cats.
Dawn loves getting to know all the cats (and often has a favourite – but don’t tell the others!) and really enjoys knowing that she is helping the cats in our care, even by simply spending time with them and giving them some company. Talking of favourites – Dawn adopted her current cat Gizmo from the centre 6 years ago!

After a busy day at work, Dawn finds it very rewarding and relaxing to come and spend time with the cats at the centre for an evening.

While Dawn doesn’t deal with the dogs at the centre, she does often speak to them in passing and feels she has grown in confidence even around the bigger dogs at the centre. Dawn is certainly happiest around our cats and that suits us just fine – it’s good to know we have volunteers who are happy to sit with all our cats, including the most timid ones who just need to hear a friendly human voice to help them settle in with us.

Dawn says her best night ever was when she got to see some kittens being born, that’s certainly not something you get to see at work every day!

Thank you Dawn from the staff (and of course the cats!)

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This is Scott.

Scott originally started volunteering with us as part of his Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award, but he has been with us for 2 years now!

Scott mostly feeds the cats when he’s volunteering but he sometimes helps with dog walking and general housekeeping too. As Scott doesn’t have a dog at home, he really enjoys spending time with them here at the centre instead.

Volunteering with us has helped Scott learn about the different characteristics of different animals and different breeds which will be a great help if he sticks to his plan and goes on to study Animal Evolution at university when he finishes school.

Thanks for your help Scott and keep up the good work!

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This is Kate.

Kate started volunteering about 4 ½ years ago and comes along twice a week.
Kate has always had a passion for animals and has her own 18yr old rescue cat, Maisie, who goes on lovely holidays to the Lake District with her!
When Kate retired from a long career in Nursing, she felt she had the time to devote and commit to learning and assisting in animal care and so began volunteering with us. Kate helps with all the animals in the centre, from cleaning out our small furries and hedgehogs to walking the dogs but she loves helping with our cats in particular and really enjoys discovering their own unique personalities while giving them lots of TLC!
Kate also really enjoys the social aspects of volunteering with us – meeting new people, working as a team along with the staff and other volunteers and helping out at our fundraising events.

“Since I started at Borders Pet Rescue I have been made to feel very much part of the volunteer team. There have been some sad times but many very happy ones, especially so when animals find their forever homes”

Thanks for all your help Kate!

Our rescue centre at Earlston is a temporary home for 6 dogs, up to 25 cats and numerous small furry things. Every day these need caring for, cleaning out and feeding. The dogs need lots of walks and the cats need lots of cuddles. That’s 365 days a year, so we need lots of help. If you think you have skills to offer and are willing to help we would be interested in talking to you. And if you can commit to a regular slot, say the same few hours every week – even better. It helps us plan to provide the best possible care for our resident animals.

Our shops in Galashiels, Kelso, Duns and Hawick provide the biggest contribution to our funds every year. Without them we could not continue to fund the charity. If you can spare a few hours a week to help us sort out the donations; clean, price and merchandise them, help on the shop floor and talk to our customers, we would love to meet you!

Events are an important part of our fundraising plan and they help to promote the charity to new audiences every year. If you would like to help our fundraising team by volunteering to help at events (from taking charge to making tea!) please email us today at manager@borderspetrescue.org.

Whatever your skills we can probably put them to good use! If you would like to donate your time or the services of your business to the charity please get in touch.