By Callum Ludwig
Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) are looking for some volunteers for their Rescue Dog Rehabilitation Kennels at their headquarters in Gladysdale.
There are up to seven morning-shift openings for the position, where volunteers will assist with pen cleaning, feeding, moving dogs and putting on the washing to help keep the kennels looking and smelling great.
Founder Saskia Adams said the position would be suitable for volunteers who might be interested in getting experienced in animal sheltering or animal studies students.
“I think a lot of people would really benefit from working in a small shelter, and seeing how a small organisation runs on a day to day basis. They can learn about the routine o how animals need to be looked after and how we meet their needs everything from exercise to socialisation, and training,” she said.
“It’s really vital that we have certified dog trainers on site, but they can’t do a lot of one on one work with the dogs if they’re busy cleaning pens and doing the more mundane tasks. So if we have more helpers in the mornings, it frees up the qualified trainers to do the one on one time with the dogs that they really need, which in turn helps speed up those dogs rehabilitation and so they can find foster homes or adopters more quickly.”
The kennels opened In January to help FFAR save dogs who have run out of time at pounds or shelters and give them a second chance at adoption or at least finding a foster home.
Ms Adams said the kennels are a real contributor to the bigger picture: saving dog’s lives.
“With dogs being able to come here, we can do additional assessments, and then we can start working on training and trying to then find them the right home,” she said.
“Kennels like this make a huge difference in our capacity to save lives, and it’s really wonderful to have the support of the local community and all the dog lovers around. We’re just hoping for people who are really serious about committing to perhaps one day a week.”
Potential applicants will be required to work from about 9am to 12pm, with their own transport. They must be over 18 years old, or 16 and older with a parent or guardian at all times.
Anyone interested can send an email detailing your experience and potential availability to Lisa: lisa.c@foreverfriends.org.au.
