SPCA volunteer a finalist
If Amy Lewis comes up trumps at the Purina SPCA Volunteer of the Year awards she plans to give part of her prize away.
Several years ago the North Taranaki SPCA had a surplus of food and so it gave some away at Christmas time to families in need with pets. Part of the prize is a year’s worth of animal food.
‘‘I’d quite like, if I did win it, to do the Christmas food donation again and use some of it,’’ she said.
Lewis is one of five people from around New Zealand to be a finalist in the awards. She’s spent eight years, more than 40 hours a month, volunteering for the organisation.
‘‘I’ve always had a passion for animals and I believe in what the organisation does. I think they make a real difference,’’ she said.
North Taranaki SPCA manager Andrea Collins was involved in Lewis’ nomination.
‘‘She started cleaning litter trays and cages and feeding animals, and she’s gone right through to doing emergency call outs after hours.’’
Lewis, who is an accountant, has fostered a number of SPCA animals over the years and always puts her hand up to volunteer at fundraising events.
In the last couple of years she’s joined the committee, become the centre’s treasurer and is also on several sub-committees including human resources, finance and op shop sub-committees.
‘‘If we need anybody for anything, Amy’s there,’’ Collins said.
The winner of the Purina SPCA Volunteer of the Year will be announced shortly. The prize is a year’s supply of Purina One cat or dog food and a weekend away at Mission Estate Farmhouse for two people including accommodation, dinner, and flights.
Shelter spokeswoman Jackie Poles Smith said another volunteer, Peter Ellis, was also nominated. He visits the shelter two days every week and cares for the dogs and puppies.
‘‘Amy and Pete are part of a very special group of people who volunteer and assist the SPCA in so very many ways, from animal care, cleaning runs, walking dogs, fostering animals, helping at the Op Shop, governance rolls on the committee, selling cupcakes, the list is endless.
‘‘Every single one of them is vital to the successful operation of the SPCA,’’ she said.