This National Volunteer Week, RSPCA WA is joining thousands of not-for-profit organisations across the country in celebrating it’s vital 261 active volunteers who keep the organisation running behind the scenes.
Whether it is cleaning out dog kennels, laundering hundreds of blankets and towels, mowing the lawns, setting up for events, or entertaining the cats, RSPCA WA volunteers do it all for the love of animals.
In the past year, these dedicated volunteers have clocked up 22,871 hours helping RSPCA WA care for and rehabilitate more than a thousand dogs, cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, birds, rats, and goats.
While caring for and cleaning up after the animals is the main calling of the gig, many volunteers also logged 1,115 hours doing administrative tasks, 435 hours gardening and maintaining the site, and 1,341 hours sorting donations.
The organisation’s volunteers come from many walks of life, all bringing particular skills and a shared love of animals to the role. One of these skilled volunteers and foster carers is Lena Powell who volunteers in cat enrichment and as a driver for the inspectorate team while still working part time as a Detective Senior Constable with WA Police.
Ms Powell said she volunteers at RSPCA WA because she believes in the protection of animals and in reducing cruelty to all animals.
“I have a strong sense of justice for animals who are vulnerable in the community,” she said.
“I enjoy volunteering, it is good for my mental health and brings folks together for a common reason.
“I like to think I am being useful and helping all the staff at RSPCA WA who do such a great job under stressful situations.”
Ms Powell started volunteering in RSPCA WA’s education program in 2018 where she would inspire and educate young people about animal welfare.
“One of my favourite memories was feedback from a parent after collecting her kids from the program,” she said.
“She stated she had been trying to get her boys to read but they were just not interested, however, after the boys had spent a day at RSPCA WA and were encouraged to read to the animals, they went home and started to read to their own dog.”
To anyone thinking of signing up as a volunteer, Ms Powell said she would encourage them to go for it if they love animals.
“RSPCA WA provide effective training and education and it’s a great way to meet folks with the same mindset,” she said.
For anyone interested in exploring a volunteer opportunity with RSPCA WA, they can head to the website to fill out an application form.
