Earlier this year, IWCT launched it’s Volunteer Programme. We are proud to have a dozen or so volunteers who graciously give up some of their free time to help us at the Treatment Centre in Concepcion, Tarlac in the Philippines.
What Does A Volunteer Do?
We have several volunteer roles at IWCT – there is something for everyone! Clinical volunteer roles are exclusive to qualified vets, vet assistants or OJT vet students. However, non clinical work is available to all and includes:
- Welcoming pet owners at the front desk on clinic days
- Maintaining the grounds
- Cleaning kennels
- Taking photos for our website and social media
- Most importantly, spending time with the rescue dogs!
There is no minimum time commitment required, volunteers just need to complete their induction at the Centre with a member of the IWCT Team. We are grateful for any time our volunteers can give.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Volunteer?
Being a volunteer of a dog charity has several benefits for all parties. It can be very helpful for the organisation to have people around to help without the pressure of providing wages. All our work is made possible thanks to generous donations from supporters around the world, however, we have limited funds to employ lots of staff. Knowing some tasks can be managed by capable volunteers allows us to concentrate on more pressing matters, such as looking after a new rescue dog or managing the wait list for our free spay and neuter programme!
Charity volunteers are also amazing ambassadors for the organisation! A lot of our volunteers are fabulous at sharing our social media news and telling their friends about our hard work for the dogs of the Philippines. This has led to more donations and also potential adopters of our rescue dogs looking for forever homes.
As a volunteer, you might also find it extremely rewarding. Knowing you are giving up your time for a good cause is satisfying, but spending time with animals also has many therapeutic benefits. Spending time away from your regular job or household chores is good for self care. An hour in the company of a dog can reduce your stress levels and heart rate and release serotonin, the happy hormone.
Beneficial For The Dogs
It might seem like spending a short time with a rescue dog will have little impact. On the contrary, volunteers can make a huge impact on their rehabilitation. The rescue dogs have all, at some point in their lives, been let down by humans. Therefore, learning to trust people again is a big challenge for them. Being in the company of several kind souls allows them to do that. Without our volunteers, our rescue dogs would see the same faces of our kennelmates and centre staff day in, day out!
Not only does the physical presence of people benefit the dogs, but interaction between volunteer and rescue dog also helps with their training. The dogs learn to approach and sit with the volunteers as they would in real family settings. Our volunteers can take the rescue dogs on lead walks around the grounds of the Treatment Centre – perfect practice for when they are out and about with their new owner.
How Do I Become A Volunteer?
Willing volunteers can apply to The IWCT Philippines Executive Director, Suzanne Llanera, by email on iwct.ph@gmail.com
Volunteering is currently available to those able to travel to the Treatment Centre in Concepcion Tarlac.
If you are outside the Philippines and would still like to support IWCT, you could consider the following, all of which are hugely beneficial and appreciated:
- Make a donation to IWCT, this can be for a specific campaign, your favourite rescue dog or towards clinical supplies
- Create a fundraiser for IWCT to help raise awareness about the work we do for the dogs of the Philippines.
- Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news.
- Follow us on social media, Facebook or Instagram.
Whatever way you are able to support IWCT, our rescue dogs and the 1000’s of pets we see in the clinic, we thank you.