Are you a dog lover with a few hours a week to spare? If so staff at Jerry Green Dog Rescue in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire want to hear from you.

Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a dedicated team of volunteers at each of its five centres, but its Blidworth centre is in need of some additional support from office, dog care and community volunteers.

One of the team keen to welcome new recruits is Gill Skinner, the charity’s newly appointed Volunteer Coordinator. Having had previous experience as a trustee for another charity Gill recognises the sense of purpose that volunteering provides.

Gill discovered the opportunities available at Jerry Green Dog Rescue after enquiring about adopting a doberman who was being cared for at the charity’s centre in Thirsk.

“As I was completing the forms to adopt Arrow the team started to explain the importance of fostering dogs from Jerry Green and it struck a chord with me,” said Gill.

It was her love of dogs that brought Gill to Jerry Green Dog Rescue, and that is what drives her enthusiasm.

In the last year Gill has fostered five dogs from the rescue centre. She said: “My first foster experience was hard work, but incredibly rewarding. Each dog has been very different and all of them have taught me something new.”

Gill loves feeling part of a team and values the chance to volunteer alongside people from various backgrounds, with different experience and motivations. She continues: “Our total love of dogs unites us and provides us with a common goal.

“We want to enrich the lives of the dogs in our care and find the right owner who will give them a caring and forever home,” said Gill.

Recently Gill decided to expand her volunteering beyond fostering and in June she took up the role of Volunteer Coordinator in Blidworth.

She is currently working hard to identify new volunteering opportunities and improve the experience for current volunteers.

As well as getting to know the volunteers, staff and members of the public, Gill gets to care for a lot of different dogs, each with their own background and story.

Gill concluded, “Primarily, for me, helping out at Jerry Green feeds my soul. That’s a great feeling and that’s why I do it.”

Jerry Green volunteers are provided with a full induction, ongoing training and support within their chosen role.

Jenny Harris, fundraiser at Jerry Green Dog Rescue, said: “Volunteering at one of our centres provides an opportunity for people to make new friends and gain additional skills and the satisfaction of knowing they’re making a difference to the lives of dogs in need.

“We rely heavily on the outstanding contribution of people like Gill throughout the year, especially when we’re attending events in the summer. It’s for this reason we’re hoping to attract new volunteers, including those who can support us during these events.”

With operating costs of £1.5 million, the continual support of staff and volunteers helps the charity address the needs of the dogs in its care, as well as the supporters who offer dogs loving and permanent homes.

For more information about volunteering contact the Jerry Green Dog Rescue centre. Details can be found on the website: http://www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk/RescueCentres/Show/Blidworth  

ENDS

Notes to Editors
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue, Warsop Lane, Blidworth, Nottinghamshire, NG21 0PG
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue was founded in 1961 in Broughton, Lincolnshire and is now one of the UK’s largest dog rescue charities. The charity aims to find forever homes for more than 800 dogs every year.
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a caring ethos which puts the dogs in its care at the centre of everything it does. It also operates a policy whereby prospective adopters are introduced to dogs in a neutral environment away from the kennel, resulting in less stress for the dog and increasing the chances of permanent homes being found.
• The adoption process at Jerry Green Dog Rescue involves a number of introductory visits and the rehoming team provide pre and post adoption support to ensure the move to the dog’s new home is as smooth as possible.
• The charity receives no Government or National Lottery funding. This means it is dependent on the generosity of public and corporate donors/sponsors.

For media information please contact:
Zoe Lamb
Shooting Star
01522 528540
zoe@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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