At Pets of the Homeless (POTH), we believe our volunteers are our greatest assets. If it weren’t for their support, there is simply no way we would be able to achieve all of the amazing results that we have so far.
Spurred by a desire to help those less fortunate, Sandra Bingham first started volunteering with POTH almost 12 months ago. As the coordinator of a childcare centre and mother to two older children as well as her two fur babies, Sandra leads a busy life – but she doesn’t let that hold her back from helping POTH in any way that she can.
Often seen shaking tins or collecting kibble for our packing events, Sandra is an important member of our volunteer team and we are very fortunate to have her on board.
To Sandra, volunteering with POTH is a highly rewarding experience, and knowing she is helping people in need to remain with their companion animals is a very good feeling.
For those interest in learning more about what volunteering with POTH is like, here are Sandra’s thoughts on her journey so far.
When and why did you first decide to become a volunteer with POTH?
About a year ago, I made the decision to start volunteering my time to help out a local charity. I began looking around and before long I came across POTH. After learning more about their mission, I decided it was a fantastic cause to give my time to. As an animal lover myself, I can’t imagine life without my fur babies by my side, so the opportunity to help people to continue to enjoy their companion animals and stay together in difficult times was something I definitely wanted to be a part of.
What role do you play in helping POTH achieve positive outcomes?
As part of my volunteer role with POTH, I mostly help out with fundraising events, packing days and the collection of donations. I regularly participate in the tin shaking events where we raise money to help a wide range of people and their pets and I often help pick up donations from various locations of things like pet food as well as pet care products – anything that we can then pass on to people and pets who need it most.
What do you like most about volunteering with POTH?
Volunteering my spare time to an organisation like POTH has brought so many benefits to my life. To me, one of the things I enjoy most is the satisfaction of knowing that everything I do, whether it be tin-shaking or packing food, can make a huge difference in someone else’s life. Just a few hours out of my day can ultimately mean the difference between whether or not someone can stay with their best friend and I am continually inspired by some of the amazing outcomes we have been able to achieve so far. We have such a passionate group of volunteers and it’s wonderful to know what a difference we are making in the lives of so many people.
What have you learned from volunteering with POTH?
Something important that I have learned from volunteering with POTH is to never take life for granted. Before I joined POTH, I didn’t realise just how many people facing homelessness actually had pets of their own – who of course want to keep them just as much as I do! I couldn’t bear to be away from my dogs, and for so many of these vulnerable people, these are the only companions they have so it’s completely understandable that they would do anything just to stay together.
What advice would you give to others considering volunteering with POTH?
To anyone considering volunteering with POTH, I would highly recommend it. It truly is a great cause and at the end of every even I can’t help but smile to myself about all that we have achieved. To me, volunteering with POTH makes me feel so positive and I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Come along to a POTH event, you will not regret it!
Written by Kellie George
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