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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Or is this animal charity?

20 replies

Dinkytinky · 04/08/2010 22:25

I really would like to volunteer for them in my local area, have 1-2 days free a week.

I rang to enquire and the lady i spoke to said they didn't have any vacancies, I said well- I can just come in and walk the dogs or feed cats / bath them etc to help out?
She said nope, they want cash donations.
Thing Is I only have extra time not money!

Aibu to think that any help would/should be welcome?
I can commit to the hours and have experience so??

Just a bit confused- I really think I could offer something!

OP posts:

choufleur · 04/08/2010 22:26

I'd offer your time somewhere else.

Gigantaur · 04/08/2010 22:27

if they have no need for any extra volunteers you would be helping do nothing and just getting in the way.

Your assistance wont feed the animals, cash will.

I dont think they abu at all

luciemule · 04/08/2010 22:27

How rude of them. Perhaps they have enough volunteer help but she didn't have to be rude - she should have said they have enough help.

onepieceoflollipop · 04/08/2010 22:29

She could have been more pleasant about it, thanking you and offering to put your name on waiting list or similar imo.

Load of other places/charities will be glad of your help.

MathsMadMummy · 04/08/2010 22:29

it would've been polite to say "oh, thank you very much but we have all the volunteers we need right now. how about I take your number and we call you if we need anyone?"

(I offered to volunteer for something recently and that was the response)

Marjee · 04/08/2010 22:32

Yanbu, you'd think they'd be grateful for any help they can get!

Vallhala · 04/08/2010 22:33

Sounds very odd to me. Whether they are a large charity like the RSPCA, where H&S rules and regs are paramount (which I presume it's not)or whether they are a more relaxed independent organisation I can see no reason why they would respond as they did.

Of course they need money if they are independent. They all do, rescue is on it's knees picking up the pieces which the big charities ignore "can't" help. But they need practical help ime too.

I'm a rescuer so know an awful lot of independent rescues and I'm also a hands-on volunteer for a dog rescue. Forgive the pun. but the ones I know would bite your hand off if you offered help, be that walking/grooming/socailising/cleaning kennels/fostering/bringing in blankets and newspaper or whatever.

I'd be very interested to know who it is who has been so ungrateful, though the chances are that still I couldn't tell you why (might, but it's unlikely!).

YADNBU - my advice would be to say sod them and find one of the hundreds of rescues which will welcome you with a cup of tea and open arms. Please don't let this ungrateful, highly unusual rescue put you off - and, from this rescuer who sheds rivers of tears at what she sees and helps save - THANK YOU.

Vallhala · 04/08/2010 22:41

NB WRT those who think that the rescue may indeed have all the help they need, they may do, I don't know of course, but ime there aren't usually enough helpers.

Dinky, on that subject, have you ever considered/would it be an option for you to foster? Rescue generally provides food, equipment, pays vet bills and gives you 100% support without obligation for you to keep the pet long term and with a willingness to take him back if it doesn't work out.

Equally we are always on the look-out for transporters who can drive a rescue or pound animal from one place to, or on part of the way to, his new rescue/fosterer/home etc.

If anyone could help in any of the ways I've mentioned and would like to know who to contact or more info, please let me know.

curlymama · 04/08/2010 22:42

It does sound like she was needlessly rude, which is totally uncalled for. But I can understand why they would not actually need your time. My DH and I have helped run a very small specialist charity, and we would get people phoning us wanting to donate used equipment that they thought we could use. Sometimes it was very gratefully recieved, but more often than not, DH would do a long car journey to go and pick up a load of stuff that ened up going straight in the bin. Of course we always accepted any offers graciously, but we did often wonder why people thought we would want absolute crap that they would no longer use just because we were a charity.

Try not to be disheartened, there are lots of charities that will be more than grateful for you time.

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 04/08/2010 22:52

Thanks Valhalla! They are quite a big organisation but I wouldn't really want to say who incase I put others off iyswim?

I would definitly consider fostering- we have a little bit of extra space so I could put a room aside etc. Where abouts are you based? If we're close perhaps you could point me in the direction of someone that needs the help?

I think I was just a bit wrong footed as I just thought they would welcome anyone,shan't be put off though, I have lots of toys and cushions etc so I'll drop them round anyway!

OP posts:

Vallhala · 04/08/2010 22:59

I'm in Cambs, Dinky, though I have rescue contacts country-wide. Mine are mainly dog rescue, some multi-rescue, but I can generally find someone who will know of an organisation to help if I don't.

I know Cambs has a "quite big organisation" and can well imagine that they would... well, I'm sure you get my gist!

What sort of animals are of particular interest to you? Or am I right in thinking it's cats?

(Thinking of giving you mine if thats the case, the damn creatures keep bringing dead mice into my sitting room!).

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 04/08/2010 23:22

Valhalla- dammit I'm in Manchester! But if you can think of anyone up here that needs volunteers then I'd be very grateful!

I'd help anything-cats would be great but I'm more than happy to help with dogs and guinea pigs etc (have had to do syringe feed small furries)

OP posts:

Vallhala · 04/08/2010 23:26

If it's the "obvious" organisation in Manchester, I'm not in the LEAST surprised that they are unwilling to let people know what they are like on the inside, Dinky. [anger]

As you say, that's well out of my area but I will put a call out tonight for advice - can think of a couple of organisations but would like to know who those in the area recommend.

To save my reply getting lost in a sea of AIBU's I'll put any replies I get in MN Pets, using your name as the title as that board gets far less traffic.

HTH

Ladyanonymous · 04/08/2010 23:33

She was unreasonable if she was rude.

But they cannot create a post for you as a volunteer just the same as any other business (charities are still businesses and have to pay for volunteers insurance/training/CRBs) cannot create a post for you as a paid employee.

If you want to volunteer phone around a few other places.

A lot of charities are inundated with volunteers and atm with the high unemployment rate are not crying out for them. Volunteers invest thier time but they do actually cost the charity money and it is a two way back rubbing exersise sometimes.

Volunteering is great in many ways, is makes you feel good to put back into the community but you also get free training, it looks good on your CV and you are more likely to get a paid post within the organisation should one come up.

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 04/08/2010 23:36

I see Valhalla, I didn't know there was a mm pet section, silly newie!

Thanks ever so much- I'll cone find you round those parts soon!

OP posts:

Vallhala · 04/08/2010 23:42

Email to contacts sent, Dinky.

Btw, and wrt to Lady's remarks, was the rescue you contacted a registered charity or was it an independent, self-funded one?

(Hmmm... and does it have the word "Home" in it's title?). ;)

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 05/08/2010 00:08

Definitly 'home' in title ! didn't think to check if it was registered? I just assumed all charities must be? Feeling verrrry naive now! Oh dear.

OP posts:

Vallhala · 05/08/2010 00:27

Oh yes, I know the one, Dinky. ;) They are a registered charity.

By the way, (and just to give you an idea of the work I do of course), I get dogs out of pounds where they are about to be put to sleep and find them places in the safety of no kill rescue.

A former member of a certain Northern pound's staff contacted me about a dog one Saturday afternoon. He was due for PTS on Monday morning but she had pleaded with the "home" to hold back until Monday night, promising to find rescue for him, having worked on his socialisation for a long time and knowing he didn't deserve to die. The manager agreed.

I spent until 5am Sunday morning online with night owl rescue owners, begging for a rescue space. I got it and emailed the "home's" staff member to tell her.

At 10am Sunday morning she replied.

The "home's" manager had had the dog PTS on Saturday night, when the staff and volunteers had gone home.

I have never not been able to find a rescue space for any dog which a pound would allow to be saved.

Sadly, some "homes" are actually pounds and many dogs in pounds only come out through their doors in black bin liners.

MathsMadMummy · 05/08/2010 08:03

oh that's so horrible val

lal123 · 05/08/2010 08:25

There was no need for lady to be rude.

However - if organisations are treating their volunteers well then there is definitely a limit to how many they can take on. Volunteers need induction, training, mentoring, supervision etc etc. Its not just a case of opening the doors and letting people in to walk the dogs! When not on maty leave I'm involved with volunteers where I work, and at times we just can't take on any more - though we would always direct an interested person to the local volunteer centre so they could find other opportunities.

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