SPCA recognises its most outstanding volunteers with national awards

SPCA’s Motueka Op Shop team not only volunteer their time and energy to raise funds for the charity, but they’ve shown unrelenting commitment to the store. On Boxing Day last year, a hail storm ripped through the region causing major damage to the store, prompting its ceiling to collapse. In the days that followed, the team of enthusiastic volunteers gave up their time to move everything out of the shop and help dry out the interior. One volunteer even brought her truck to take all the wet and damaged stock away. Three weeks later the team was back with buckets and mops to give the shop a complete clean and restore it to its former glory, so it could reopen. Over Easter, the team also put their creative hats on and built some chic new changing rooms to help create more shop space.

Graham has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of hundreds of animals by fostering through SPCA’s New Plymouth Centre. Research shows that animal welfare outcomes are better when animals are in foster care rather than a shelter, and Graham has selflessly opened his home to hundreds of animals. During last year’s lockdown he had 16 in his care, including two dogs and four cats he’s adopted through the charity. Graham first put his hand up to volunteer for SPCA after suffering a stroke 12 years ago, that subsequently meant his business had to close. Since then, he’s had a profound impact on SPCA’s New Plymouth Centre, where he volunteers each week. As well as fostering, Graham mows the Centre’s lawns and collects from donation bins every fortnight. His contribution has been invaluable.

Katie has been volunteering at SPCA’s Masterton Centre for two years, and in that time has become a valued member of the SPCA family. Through her hard work and commitment, Katie has fallen into place at the Centre so well, she’s now trusted to support and train fellow volunteers. But it’s her work with vulnerable cats and kittens that continues to amaze the Centre’s staff. Katie always shows great care and patience, particularly when dealing with shy cats which can be harder to handle. Katie fosters countless litters through the busy kitten season, from those that require bottle feeding around the clock, to kittens that are very sick and need constant monitoring. When Katie returns the kittens she fosters to the Centre, they’re always well socialised, friendly, healthy and ready to find their new homes. While volunteering for SPCA, Katie has managed to complete her Certificate in Animal Care and has continued on to vet nursing.

Fiona has received the award for Going The Extra Mile due to her enthusiasm and can-do attitude. No matter the task, Fiona always volunteers her time and will drop everything to help. She’s a Jack of all trades at SPCA’s Taupō Centre, where she volunteers three days each week. As well as taking the dogs out for socialisation, Fiona fosters high risk cats and kittens who need extra care and monitoring around the clock. She and her husband have also volunteered their handy skills to fix the Centre’s rabbit cages, and Fiona always puts her hand up to help out at SPCA’s community fundraising events. No job is too big or too small for Fiona – she even offers to take home the Centre’s washing to dry it during winter.

Jackie has been volunteering her time for SPCA’s Thames Centre for the last 20 years, and over those two decades has had a remarkable impact on the Centre and its staff. Jackie is dependable and always the first person to stick her hand up to help, no matter the task. She volunteers her time for three afternoons each week, plus one morning cleaning shift at the Centre, as well as filling any gaps in the volunteer roster. On top of that, she goes above and beyond to fundraise for SPCA by coordinating Cupcake Days, organising and selling raffles and even conning her friends to jump out of planes for SPCA’s Jump to the Rescue fundraiser. Jackie has shown incredible support to SPCA’s Thames staff and is a shining example of a valuable member of her community.

Liz, Rod and Lisa are an incredible team who work so well together but also as individuals. They’ve become important members of the SPCA family and always bring a positive attitude to the Māngere Centre. Everything they do is completed to the highest standard, whether it’s cleaning enclosures or fostering kittens. They also show the animals so much love by always arriving early for their volunteer shift to squeeze in a few extra cat cuddles!