Can you help ‘lead’ the way in canine welfare as a rescue dog volunteer?

Local Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in West Calder is looking for volunteers to come onboard and lend a paw to help the canine residents in their care. The team has a number of volunteering roles to be filled, which includes canine care assistants and volunteer receptionists.

Volunteers are a vital support to the work Dogs Trust does as their assistance allows canine carers to spend more time training and socialising dogs, to ensure they are forever home ready. Volunteers also directly impact the welfare of dogs at the Rehoming Centre as they help with cleaning, bedding and liaising with potential new dog owners.

Garry Lee, Volunteer Coordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “Working as part of the Rehoming Centre team, volunteers are able to take on varied and highly important tasks within the centre such as, cleaning kennels, providing clean bedding, toys and a comfortable environment for the dogs to enjoy.

“Volunteers can also assist with events, as well as work as part of the reception team to assist members of the public when they visit the centre.

“We are fortunate to have so many dedicated supporters who regularly make donations to the charity. Volunteers can give as much time as they want to the cause, as this is just as valuable a donation as any other.”

Dogs Trust West Calder is also looking to grow their number of volunteer foster carers on their Home From Home programme, who are able to provide temporary homes to rescue dogs while they wait on permanent owners coming forward.

Foster carers would ideally have a bit more time on their hands, with foster placements ranging from one week to nine months, as well as some previous dog experience.

Volunteering for Dogs Trust in any way has so many benefits in addition to seeing dogs every day. Volunteers can become part of the team, develop new skills, meet new people, while helping to support the charity’s work.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and joining the West Calder Rehoming Centre team can find out more information by calling the centre on 01506 873459 or by visiting www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/west-calder.