Volunteering at Battersea dogs & cats home

Seraph · **Joined:** Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:24 pm **Posts:** 308

Hey everyone,

So I'm going to start volunteering at Battersea dogs home in the Cattery area, hopefully as long as my back can cope with it. I did previously work in a boarding kennel and Cattery for summer when I was at uni so I have kinda done it before. I have so much free time that I wanted to do something constructive once per week whilst I'm still recovering from surgery and having all this physio. I did hope that my experience with Bengals may be of help to them though as they get them in very regularly these days.

Lmao I have been told im not allowed to bring any of the cats home with me lol. Anyone else done any volunteering with one of the rescue groups? Or wildlife rescue before?

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

I would absolutely LOVE to volunteer, but I would definitely want to take them all home with me. We have great shelters here -- some no-kill, but still injured animals come in. I just can't bear to see an injured pet. I fall to pieces when my bengal gets sick (which he was for three days). I don't know that I could hold it together. I know they will love having your presence and time -- and it can be very rewarding for you.

Clare&magic · **Joined:** Sat Oct 31, 2015 9:44 pm **Posts:** 707

I would love to do something like that but I don't think I could stand for too long or pick up anything heavy, this is why I don't work now.
My back is bad plus I have fibromyalgia and other health issues, if I was in better health I would consider it.

Seraph · **Joined:** Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:24 pm **Posts:** 308

I do have DDH (development dislocation of the hip rather extreme version as I was born with no hip sockets at all and had to have some made as a baby) which I was born with and its why I've had umm 5 surgical procedures in the past 4 years including 2 THR's. Due to the NHS leaving it a bit too long to deal with the issue that I flagged up when I was 21 that I had lower back pain again and they left the pelvic tilt to turn into scoliosis. Thankfully I managed after much nagging to get to see a top surgeon and at 34 besides minor back pain compared to before it's a lot better after all the surgeries, I have been told though that I need to really build up my core muscles again to support my back so it stops curving.

When I applied I did tell them about my procedures and issues so I see it as because I've been transparent if they wanna let me help out they have taken it into consideration. Thankfully prior to all the surgery I've always been very active with swimming and horse riding so I've bounced back from surgery a lot faster than expected and I have really good muscle control. I do wonder what it would have been like if I wasn't really healthy before all this happened though. So my surgeon has said as long as people take into my consideration my limits and let me stop if my back is twinging so I'll see how it goes I guess I'm hoping I can cope. Also it should help me with building up my muscles again.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

I am also starting a very important new job, volunteering at Newbury cats protection......cleaning out cat pens! I am really excited about it as Cat Cuddling was in the job description! I really hope you enjoy Battersea and that your hips and back are ok and don't stop you volunteering.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Melissa, this is wonderful. The cats will love you!!!

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

To be honest Sherry I am really really excited about it and also I'm doing something for me that I have wanted to do for ages. The poor cats will get so much affection they will get sick of it. Bet i'll get told off for too much cuddling and not enough work!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Nashville Cat Rescue is always looking for volunteers to clean the cages out at the Pet Smarts they put the kitties in. There isn't one that's close to me -- the only pet store closed years ago. I don't know who puts the kitties in the Petco that is closest to me, but I always have to play with the kitties there every time we go, which isn't really that often.

Volunteering at Battersea dogs & cats home

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