Volunteers are the very backbone of what we do at Greyhound Rescue. Explore the stories of some of our volunteers and find out what it’s like being part of our volunteer family.
Name: Lex
Volunteer with Greyhound Rescue for: 6.5 years
Volunteering role: Social Media & Events, Foster & Adoption Coordinator, Emergency Manager
What was it that sparked your interest in volunteering with Greyhound Rescue?
I have been a volunteer with Greyhound Rescue since March 2017. I have always loved dogs and I had adopted my first two greyhounds not long before and immediately I was addicted. I needed more! Greyhound Rescue had an event at Pet-O at Annandale, so I popped by! I met Nat and the team and I knew that I had found my people so I immediately signed up to be a volunteer!
What is your role at Greyhound Rescue?
I started out doing a couple of kennel shifts a week, caring for the hounds and making sure they were happy and healthy. I am heavily involved with GR now and I do a lot of things! I am:
- On the Instagram and Communications team – helping to maximise our social media output and to ensure we are reaching as many people as we can while providing accurate information, education and entertainment.
- A Foster and Adoption Coordinator – helping adopters and foster carers through the process, supporting them along the way and even after they’ve adopted!
- GR’s Emergency Manager – making sure we are prepared for any emergencies and keeping hounds and hoomans safe!
- Involved in organising fundraising events such as the upcoming Noodle Festival and the Trivia Night.
- Help with the running of the GR stall at events such as the Dog Lovers Festival and other community events, and Corporate Volunteering days at Greysland.
How has volunteering improved your life?
My favourite thing about volunteering is that it gives me a sense of achievement. I feel like I am making a difference and that I am doing something important. I have made friends, both hound and human who I would likely have never met had I not been a volunteer!
Also dogs are good for the soul. When you’re feeling down, nothing makes your day better than a wagging tail and a happy face. My day job can be pretty stressful, so spending time with the hounds is a great way to relax and de-stress.
What’s the best thing about being a Greyhound Rescue volunteer?
The best thing about being a GR volunteer is getting to play with greyhounds, and getting to see them flourish in their forever homes and being loved the way they should be. I also love that I am a part of an amazing community who are so generous and dedicated to the welfare of the hounds. Seeing the amazing work that GR do to save greyhounds and knowing that I am a part of it is such a great feeling.
What would you say to someone thinking about applying to volunteer?
To anyone thinking about volunteering – DO IT!! We’d love to have you! You only need to be able to commit to as little as one shift a month. We have 2 shifts a day, 365 days of the year and there are always things that need doing. It’s so rewarding seeing the hounds find their families after having been through so much. You make friends and it gives you a sense of purpose. And what’s better than hanging out with hounds all day?
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I cannot express enough my enormous love for Greyhound Rescue. They work tirelessly, day and night, to rescue hounds, rehabilitate them and find them the perfect family to love them. My boy Archie wouldn’t be here without them and I am forever grateful for the work they do to help these beautiful dogs.
Are you interested in joining our volunteer team? Click here to find out how you can help.