The fifth story for national Volunteering Week is from The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
As a charity, the DSPCA is supported and enhanced by the efforts of our dedicated volunteer base. From animal care roles to dog walkers, education talks and tours, administrative duties and events, we ensure that our volunteers are involved in all aspects of our work and are valued in everything they do. Our volunteers are a critical part of the day to day operations of the DSPCA. We are incredibly proud of our volunteer programme and the contributions made by our volunteers, and we greatly appreciate your willingness to join us and donate your time and expertise.
Pascale Ward – I have been volunteering with the DSPCA since April 2015, in the Treatment (rehab) section of the kennels where I help to care for sick, injured and abandoned dogs. I volunteer from 8.30 – 1.00 on Mondays and Wednesdays.
I had always been interested in volunteering but could never seem to find enough time to devote to it. After taking early retirement, I decided to get involved. I thought that working with animals would be interesting since I had grown up on a dairy farm and had always loved animals.
I attended an Induction Talk for Volunteers at the DSPCA where Gillian Bird gave a detailed account of what was involved. I then decided to try it out and I am still here!
Working in the Treatment Section can be very challenging at times. It is difficult to look at the result of yet another senseless act of cruelty on an innocent little dog. There are days when I feel like giving up, but I am inspired by the total dedication of the brilliant Kennel Manager, Lynda Viscardi. With her genuine love of dogs and her extraordinary ability to connect with each individual one, no matter what the history, Lynda somehow keeps me going.
Volunteering with the DSPCA has many advantages. It has given me the opportunity to work with many different breeds of dog from Huskies to Rothweilers, Terriers to Jack Russells. I also found my own ‘furry friend’ at the shelter. She is a Border Collie – gorgeous Goldie. I adopted her in 2016. She is now 12 years old and as adorable as ever.
Volunteering has also given me the opportunity to meet many new people from so many different backgrounds with different life experiences. Yet, we all share a love of animals and a deep concern for their welfare.
My contribution as an individual volunteer to the care of the dogs is very small. I see myself as just one member of a team. It is the collective contribution of all the volunteers that makes such a difference to the beautiful animals at the shelter. Seeing how the dogs respond when they are loved is very rewarding.
