It can be said that volunteers are the heart and soul of shelters. Not many of these animal facilities have the funds to finance the large workforce needed to care for the animals. By donating their time and efforts, these creatures in need are provided the care and attention they require.
Volunteering in shelters doesn’t always mean having to walk the dogs or feed them. Some spend more time with paperwork and matching dogs with the suitable adopter. There are also those that utilize their skills to offer comfort to the dogs. This is what an 89-year-old English woman named Maisie Green did.
Time and effort
Over the years, the Basildon resident has spent numerous hours painstakingly knitting sweaters and blankets. According to the kindhearted lady, it would take a day to create a dog coat from scratch and three days for a blanket.
Three times a year, her family would take her to the Dogs Trust Basildon shelter, a facility and sanctuary operated by a nonprofit organization. Together, they will unload the most recent batch of knitted items, and Maisie will help distribute them to the lucky animals.
The rescue group, which is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, said that Maisie’s donations are a big help. They care for approximately 16,000 dogs a year, and they need all the support they can get. They operate more than 20 facilities all over the country, and volunteers make up the bulk of their staff.
Delighted
When told that many people admire her and are inspired by her actions, Maisie just shrugs off the compliments. She said she likes doing what she does because it keeps her busy. Even when watching television, she keeps on knitting. She also adds that she is delighted to help the rescue dogs and do it in the only way she knows how.
Seeing them wearing her creations and knowing that they are warm and comfortable is enough of a reward for her.
Source: Dogs Trust via Facebook