Volunteering at RSPCA

FLINT

Hi all as many of you will no doubt have read on a previous thread I lost my 11 yr old GSD during late November. I don't think I could go through that heartbreak again and get another dog. I am normally home by 2.30 pm and usually would walk Flint for an hour or so, I still miss this and I pine for the company in an afternoon.

I am contemplating approaching my local RSPCA to volunteer as a dog walker, my question is do the RSPCA do this or is it only paid staff that interact with the dogs?

I intend to call them tommorrow so will keep you informed.

Sagz_2

I think most branches welcome volunteer walkers, if your local RSPCA don't then I'm sure there will be other rescue homes around that would love you to give their dogs a little one-to-one time.

Frugalista

Personally, I would offer at one of the smaller shelters first.

The RSPCA has got millions of pounds in the bank and can afford to pay their staff (and anybody who walks their dogs) - the smaller shelters struggle to get by and rely on volunteers.

bethie

each actual RSPCA shelter is individually managed so it is up to the shelter itself to decide about dog walkers.


personally, i walked dogs at our local one for a year and the staff there were really nice and really welcomed dog walkers.

it is no fun being stuck inside for 23 hours a day.

Mupette

I've done the dog walking, when looking at getting a pup a few years ago, yes they do it, and would welcome the help.

Ring your local one up and find out what you can do to help, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as the pup will

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

when I went to the local charity rescue centre near me I got chatting to a guy who was a volunteer dog walker and said they are crying out for people to go and walk the dogs. Go for it, there are lots of dogs out there who need help

babyshoes

Something else you could consider is a charity which helps older/sick people who are struggling to take care of their furry friends but obviously don't want to have to give them up simply due to age/poor health. You could volunteer to walk dogs, feed pets, clean out litter boxes/cages or even foster animals when owners go into hospital. They also re-home animals when owners pass on, and guarantee that they won't be put down, which is a relief for people worried about what will happen to their beloved companions afterwards!

I believe they are called the Cinnamon Trust, though there may be similar ones around. They didn't seem to have a branch close to me last time I investigated, so not sure if they are countrywide - that was a couple of years ago & things may have changed since!

BYALPHAINDIA

Desperate_Housewife wrote: »

when I went to the local charity rescue centre near me I got chatting to a guy who was a volunteer dog walker and said they are crying out for people to go and walk the dogs. Go for it, there are lots of dogs out there who need help

Yeah, But don't give the 'Dogs' your mobile no - They might be ringing you up.....Lol Lol!!

SarahLou

Just another "yeah yeah yeah!" from me too. Definitely get your name down on some lists for dog walking. I've never known an animal charity turn volunteers away. I work for an RSPCA animal centre - the way we work it is our volunteer coordinator runs a few sessions each year to go through the health and safety and form filling (with a few people at a time - so you can get to know other newbies and also saves her having to go through it with each individual person that comes through the door) - get your name down on a list. When the next "training session" comes along, you'll be set to go then - once you've done that you're in