Volunteer Awards 2019

Lauren and Chris Phillips, SPCA Nelson

Weekend Supervisor Canine Assistant Trudi Hazlitt-Black nominated Lauren and Chris for the award. She said the couple are always thinking outside the box with fundraising, and fostering mother cat and kittens. “Chris and Lauren have been volunteers for four years, Chris with the dogs, and Lauren with the cats. They turn up every Saturday with a smile on their faces, always willing to help. Chris has even designed new areas around the centre, his input into our constructions has been invaluable,” says Kirsty.

Valerie Garner, SPCA Auckland Centre

SPCA Supporter Care Administrator Zoe Baikie nominated Valerie for the award. She said Valerie has been part of the volunteer team since 2009, assisting the team with receipt and letter folding. “Our department could not operate without Valerie. She can fold and stuff 500 receipts in one day which is absolutely incredible. Valerie is quick, efficient, and has an eye for detail.” Valerie said she began volunteering because she wanted to help out in the best way she could, and because she always loved animals, she chose SPCA. “I have thoroughly enjoyed all the time I have had volunteering at SPCA. Volunteering is well worth your time, as you help the animals who can’t speak for themselves,” says Valerie. “I have lots of memories of my time volunteering that all come together to form a huge happy picture, which is how I think of my time volunteering at SPCA. If I had to give up volunteering, I’d be heartbroken, I really would.”

Ian Blackler, SPCA Christchurch

SPCA Christchurch’s Volunteer Coordinator Caitlin Hamilton nominated Ian for the award. Ian was nominated for the Purina SPCA Volunteer of the Year Awards twice, and is known around SPCA’s Christchurch Centre as always having a positive and friendly attitude. Caitlin said Ian regularly goes the extra mile for the Inspectorate, but a recent event really stood out. “We had a client who was genuinely trying hard to provide for her dog in very trying circumstances. Her dog has a serious illness called megaoesophagus, which means he can’t keep his food down, so he has to be fed sitting upright, and then remain upright for a period of time after eating,” Caitlin says. “The solution to this problem is a dog ‘chair’. We approached Ian, who is very handy, for help. He visited the dog, took some measurements, and showed up a few days later with a custom dog chair. He sourced all the materials from scraps and even took the time to paint it. He did this on top of his driving duties, always happy to have a crack at anything the centre needs doing. Sometimes he works too hard and needs to be reminded to look after himself!”