RSPCA NSW Aged Care Community Program - National Volunteer Week 2021

Written by Australian Dog Lover 16:51:00 - 0 Comments

From Monday 17 to Sunday 23 May, RSPCA NSW celebrates the paw-sitive contribution our volunteers have made to animal welfare during National Volunteer Week 2021.

This year’s National Volunteer Week is a chance to recognise our volunteers who went the extra mile to reconnect with the organisation and reimagine the ways they provide support during the devastating droughts, bushfires, floods, and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

RSPCA NSW incorporates 2924 volunteers across the state who gave 220,000 hours to helping people and animals this past year, including a couple of volunteers who are celebrating 40 years with RSPCA NSW.

There is no one way to volunteer with RSPCA NSW:

✔️ Our volunteers utilised their professional skills or hobbies to assist with the day-to-day operations of our shelters, Care Centre and op shops.

✔️ RSPCA NSW branches rehomed animals and provided crucial community assistance via fundraising drives in their townships.

Foster carers provided loving home environments for animals to grow, mature and recover.

RSPCA NSW General Manager, Community and Engagement Ursula McGeown said, “our volunteers champion the RSPCA NSW name within their local communities and their dedication and selflessness continues to give a voice to the abandoned, neglected and injured animals who need them.

“The work our volunteers do is invaluable, it creates a life-changing difference to animals in need, and RSPCA NSW would not be where we are today without the helping hand of our amazing volunteers.”

Please check all of our latest volunteer opportunities online if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for RSPCA NSW.

RSPCA NSW thanks our volunteers who give their time to help animals across the state.

About RSPCA NSW Aged Care Community Program

The RSPCA Aged Care Community Program is an initiative to assist pet owners over the age of 65, or indigenous pet owners over 50 as well as palliative care patients of any age. 

The program offers services such as temporary foster accommodation and emergency pet boarding and respite. 

Other services include assistance with veterinary treatment, home visits to assist with basic pet care and grooming, and assistance to transport to and from a veterinarian clinic. It also offers the chance for people who would not normally meet under normal circumstances, the chance to build a friendship.

Georgina's Story

Georgina is a volunteer who is part of our Aged Care Community Program, and she has been assisting the wonderful duo that is Elvie and Honey. Georgina stumbled across the RSPCA NSW Aged Care Community program on the RSPCA NSW website, completed an online induction and was matched up with Elvie.

Elvie who's 87 years old lives in a retirement village near Budgewoi. It is a challenge to walk her little dog, Honey, so our lovely vollie Georgina now walks Honey for an hour three times a week.

They have been doing this since October last year and have since developed the sweetest friendship. On Saturday mornings, Georgina and Elvie will usually sit and chat for half an hour after Honey’s walk.

“Elvie loves Honey and is so appreciative she can organise for Honey to have longer walks. Honey is always pleased to see me and dog happiness is contagious! Since I'm part of a three-cat household, walking Honey gives me some doggy time. I walk Honey 3 times a week, once on the weekend and twice after work. 

The commitment makes sure I leave work on time at least 2 times a week and the hour long walks are exercise that doesn't feel like exercise.

We have found a lovely spot near the lake to walk with ducks, swans, parrots and plovers for interest and lots of smells for Honey to check out. 

If she isn't sniffing, she is galloping at the end of the lead. This past Saturday we even saw an eagle and my first wattle for the season.

After the walk, Elvie and I usually sit on her verandah and chat for a while. On Tuesday it was about the best fish and chips we have had, but it has ranged from what we've been doing that day, to life experiences, to the state of the world, to how things have changed for women to AI and what it might mean in the future... always interesting."

"While I do donate financially to the RSPCA I appreciate the opportunity to make a one on one difference.”

MEDIA RELEASE, 21st May 2021

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