Volunteer
Special Volunteer Appeal
As a charity run entirely by volunteers, from time to time we ask for help in particular areas of the Charity’s work.
Currently we are looking for volunteer help and maybe you have a few hours free and can assist us.
A Special Appeal
DCGR is a volunteer-led, successful greyhound homing charity which has been finding homes for greyhounds for 22 years and we shall soon be rehoming our 2,000th greyhound.
Our committee members and volunteers have specific responsibilities. These include being involved in rehoming greyhounds, finance, helping in the Charity’s shop, events, and social media including this website.
The licensing administration, an increase in homing enquiries, our greater use of social media platforms, and the success of our charity shop in Lockerbie have increased our activity. To help us continue rehoming greyhounds in need, the committee would like to extend a special invitation to members, adopters, supporters, or other interested people who could volunteer a little time especially in administration areas.
Here are areas of specific need:
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR OUR HOMING COORDINATOR
This would include assisting in the administration of the forms we require to home Greyhounds. These forms will mainly be completed by those involved in rehoming the dogs. The administrative support would be for checking, logging the details, collating and maintaining storage of information. You may also like to assist with our email and phone communications. Training will be given and this responsibility can easily be carried out at home.
SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER
This is another task that could be carried out at home. The main responsibility will be for updating our website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or any other social media platforms that could help us in promoting ex-racing greyhounds as part of the family. Awareness of DCGR will be provided.
FUNDRAISING/PROMOTIONAL EVENTS
If you have a DCGR greyhound, please pop along to advertised events for an hour or so to show off your own hound and help us raise our profile. It is certainly true that the more greyhounds we have at events, the more people are interested in adoption, raising more cash and promoting greyhounds as being part of the family.
SHOP VOLUNTEER
This is an opportunity for those within travelling distance of Lockerbie and our charity shop to help DCGR raise much needed funds. The role also offers personal opportunities such as interaction with the public, working as part of a great team and assisting the local community.
HOME VISITORS
When we rehome a greyhound, someone from DCGR will make a Home Visit face to face to answer any questions, explain procedures and assess garden suitability. We like to use local volunteers to visit especially if you have your own greyhound to accompany you. Training will be given.
PROCESSES
Do you have the skill, training and time to examine our processes/procedures from an independent perspective, or indeed do you carry out this function in your workplace and you would like to help? If so, please get in touch.
FOSTERING GREYHOUNDS
If none of these opportunities seem attractive to you, then please don’t forget you can always help a greyhound to find their forever home by offering them temporary foster care. This can provide dogs with ‘real home’ experiences while on their journey towards adoption.
If you are interested in any of these activities or would like to suggest others areas where you could help DCGR, then please contact us.
Speak to any of our existing team you may know, contact us via our Contact Form below, via Facebook or by email to our Chairperson Dr Kevin Hugill at hugillkevin@gmail.com to arrange an initial chat.
Thank you as ever for your support.
Who Can Volunteer?
The DCGR has no paid staff, only volunteers, so we welcome help from anyone who can offer a few hours to help at one of our events or in our Charity Shop. But there are so many other ways to help.
Maybe you would like to foster a dog or help us with administration? Do you like gardening or are able to offer transport help?
Everyone is welcome.
Charity Shop Volunteers
Could you help us run our very popular Charity Shop in Lockerbie. Volunteers normally work a 4 hour shift once or twice a week either morning or afternoon.
The work involves sorting donated stock, filling displays and serving customers. You can even lend a hand with property upkeep or maintenance.
For more information, call the charity shop directly on 01576 202694 or pop in and grab a bargain!
“Meet A Greyhound” & Event Volunteers
If you like helping greyhounds and are confident chatting with people then please come and volunteer at our events. That’s all there is to it!
We run events including “Meet A Greyhound” days where we hope to highlight the plight of ex-racing retired greyhounds needing homes. We have a stall with our merchandise for sale and there are greyhounds on hand to meet the public which you might be asked to handle and tell people about.
If you can spare a little time to help set up and spread the word, we’d love to see you.
Dog Fostering Volunteers
The majority of greyhounds coming into our care will have known only a life in kennels so a foster home is an important step on their road to becoming a confident and much loved pet.
The role of Foster Carer is to look after a dog in your own home exactly as you would with your own pet, providing exercise, shelter, food and socialisation.
Everything you need for the dog will be provided including advice and equipment.
Administration Volunteers
You don’t even need to help out in specific locations. We have a great need for help with administration tasks which can be done at any time from any place.
Could you help us with our social media accounts or help run our website?
Do you have a couple of hours free to help us maintain our paperwork and administration records for instance helping the membership secretary?
There is always plenty to do so please get in touch if you can help.
Volunteer To Help In Other Ways
You might not think you have sufficient time or specific skills to be a regular volunteer but we appreciate any help and would like to hear from you.
Could you drive a dog to the vets or provide other transport help? Would you visit a home in your local area for a home check or help one of our foster carers walking dogs?
Do you have gardening skills or enjoy painting and decorating? We have need of all sorts of help so please get in touch if you can spare a little time.