Dog’s Trust volunteer clocks up 1,000 hours...
A DOG-loving volunteer at Dogs Trust Loughborough has given up 1,000 hours of his time to help care for dogs while they wait for their forever homes.
Geoff Coles started volunteering at Dogs Trust Loughborough when the centre opened in 2012. Every week since then he has gone along to walk dogs and clean kennels every Wednesday morning, and can’t imagine a time when he wouldn’t head to the Wymeswold rehoming centre to help out.
He said: “Before the centre opened myself and my wife used to volunteer at a shelter for stray dogs abroad, where one of our friends who we stayed with on holiday helped out. When I heard about Dogs Trust Loughborough opening, I signed up to volunteer straight away.
“I look forward to going every week, knowing that I am helping make sure the dogs get the exercise and play time they need. My wife also volunteers as we don’t have a dog ourselves so volunteering is ideal. We get our doggie fix every week!”
Dogs Trust Loughborough has a team of 80 volunteers who help with everything from the huge amount of laundry that needs doing every day to working on the reception desk and helping out at events.
Ria Martin, volunteer coordinator at Dogs Trust Loughborough, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Geoff. He is a real asset to our team and we are so grateful to him for everything he does for us and the dogs. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers we can make sure that whilst they are with us our dogs get everything they need, which is wonderful.
“If any dog lover out there wants to help rescue dogs, we would love more volunteers to join us so please give us a call and come and join the team!”
If you are interested in volunteering at Dogs Trust Loughborough, please call the centre on 01509 273349.