Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Tauranga SPCA.
Without them we would cease to operate and function. They bring order to our daily chaos and sometimes stressful environment.
I have met many people in my travels who have said "I really want to volunteer up at the shelter, can you organise something?"
So
something was arranged, up they came, and three hours later they ran for the hills, never to be seen again, suddenly became busy with other things.
Anyone who has entered the shelter early in the morning, a shelter that houses 40 cats and 15 dogs, will know the smell and sight that greets them. A metre-high pile of soiled litter trays would make the best of us squirm.
But up they come, a beautiful, committed band of people who every morning get to it and empty, clean and sanitise so that when visitors walk in to view our animals at 10.30 all they see is order.
These people are obviously unpaid and they are the majority of our staff.
They allow us to complete the rest of the work that goes into a day at the SPCA.
Do they get to cuddle and pat and love? You better believe it - but that is done at the end.
We have another group of people to thank, our foster parents.
These parents take our young babies and mothers and our injured, and they care and nurture them until they are ready to come back to us and start a new life with a new family.
If there are more non-squeamish, brave souls out there who are still intent on becoming a volunteer, please come into the shelter, meet our wonderful team of people and fill in an application form.
To our regulars who give their time and commitment to the Tauranga SPCA, we are forever grateful and you have our everlasting thanks.
An item of news is our garage sale (goods only) which is being held at the shelter (43 Alach St, Greerton) on Saturday, May 8, between 10am and 2pm.
Come on up, find a great bargain and meet some of our staff and volunteers.
Nicolle Smith is the SPCA education officer for the Western Bay of Plenty. You can contact her on 07 578 2784.
