Diary of a Fetcher Dog volunteer - Back to kennels and time with Handsome Homer!
Hi, my name’s Paul and I’m a volunteer with Fetcher Dog.
Some of my volunteer tasks are:
- Centre upkeep: clearing rubbish, washing and drying bowls, keeping floors spotless, and making sure fresh blankets are always ready and close to the kennels.
And when the cleaning is done, I swap mop buckets for keyboards:
- I create website updates and our monthly newsletter, sharing heart-warming stories, new arrivals, and happy endings from the centre.
If you’d like to follow along with our rescue journey—and maybe meet your future best friend—subscribe to our newsletter via the homepage at www.fetcherdog.com.
Paul writes:
The work, on the centre, trying to upgrade the kennels and therefore the living conditions for the dogs has come to a virtual standstill, this is due in part to everyone being volunteers and work commitments and holiday plans seem to have taken precedence, which is natural.
The centre currently only has 2 x regular volunteers, myself and a staff member's parent, currently focusing on ground maintenance (mowing grass, trimming bushes) and centre cleaning (rubbish clearing).
You may not feel this is important for the dogs but the charity are hoping for many visitors to the centre so keeping the centre presentable is important.
This last few weeks my volunteering has seen me collating information and producing newsletters and news items for the website.
The centre is short of a member of staff, so I will be kennel cleaning until a new member of staff is found.
. This is smelly, dirty and gruelling, yet a much needed element of rescue centre life and all staff believe that the dogs appreciate it.. Ha Ha!!
You can apply for the kennel assistant position through Indeed at:
Fetcher Dog Jobs (with Salaries) | Indeed United Kingdom
I did get to spend time with one of our sanctuary dogs, Homer, (photos above)one of our longest residents. Homer is a sweet but nervous boy who has never had a home and it was felt that, as his only experience was kennels, than a home environment maybe too much for him so he is with Fetcher Dog for life. If you would like to pamper him, there are sponsorships available. btw I am not scared of dogs or being kissed.
As you can see he is a handsome boy!!
With regard volunteering, there is always, painting, kennel cleaning and general maintenance required If you are or know a tradesperson we also require volunteer dry-liners, electricians, stud workers, roofers, plumbers etc.
So, if anyone would like to volunteer, reach out..... Please contact Jordan at jordan.connor@fetcherdog.com
Quick update on my fostering of Cheddar (above), it's not really a foster as he is not going to go anywhere else.... Ha Ha!!
He is soooo scared of everything so we take it day to day, set a few daily routines. walks, feeding, brushing etc, take everything at his pace and smile at him a lot.
Until next time, take care and have a great summer.
Paul