SANDRA

 Please tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Sandra and I live in Kerry. I moved to Ireland from Latvia and now call Kerry home. I’ve been volunteering with KLAWS for over a year and have loved being part of such a dedicated team supporting animals in need.

I share my home with my dog Bonga, who is very much part of my volunteering journey. We spend a lot of time together in the KLAWS charity shop, where she has become quite popular with customers and volunteers.

Outside of volunteering, I enjoy meeting people, learning new things and being involved in animal welfare.

How do you volunteer with KLAWS?

I volunteer in several ways. I help in the KLAWS charity shop, support fundraising activities and assist with KLAWS social media.

A lot of my time is spent creating information and educational posts, promoting fundraising campaigns and sharing the stories of animals looking for homes, helping them reach the right people. I also enjoy meeting supporters in the shop and sharing information about the work KLAWS does in the community.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer with an animal rescue charity?

Volunteering with an animal rescue was always one of my dreams, but for a long time I was afraid it would break my heart. I knew I would become emotionally attached to the animals and find some of the situations difficult.

Over time, I realised that while rescue work can be heartbreaking at times, it is also incredibly rewarding. I wanted to be part of something that makes a real difference. Not everyone can rescue animals directly, but everyone can contribute in some way. For me, volunteering with KLAWS was a way to combine my love for animals with helping the community and supporting animals in need.

 What have you learnt from volunteering?

One thing I’ve learned is that even the smallest things can make a difference. A social media post, a few hours in the shop, a donation or helping at an event might not seem like much on its own, but together they can have a real impact.

It has also taught me the importance of teamwork. Every volunteer contributes in their own way, and together we can achieve much more than any one person could alone.

 Is there anything about volunteering that you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect how emotionally invested I would become. Even though there are difficult stories, you find yourself celebrating every success and becoming genuinely happy when an animal finds a loving home.

Volunteering has also brought so many wonderful people into my life. I’ve made great friendships through KLAWS, and it’s lovely to be surrounded by people who care so much about animals and are always willing to help when needed.

We know that working with rescue animals can be challenging – it can be stressful and heartbreaking at times. How do you cope with difficulties?

Of course there are difficult moments, and some stories stay with you for a long time. There are times when you wish you could do more.

When that happens, I remind myself to focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t. Seeing so many people come together to help animals gives me hope and keeps me motivated.

 What have been the high and low points of your time as a volunteer? Maybe you have some standout stories to tell?

The more difficult moments are seeing animals wait a long time for the right home or seeing owners having to make the heartbreaking decision to give up a much-loved pet because of changes in their circumstances. Those stories can be very emotional.

The high points are always the happy endings. One of the first stories that really touched me was Jess. She was a senior dog with health issues, and when I first joined KLAWS I remember hoping she would find the loving retirement home she deserved. Seeing her adopted was incredibly special.

Another story that stands out is Bo, who travelled to England. We needed to find him a foster home there, and in the end his foster family fell in love with him and became his forever family. Stories like that remind me how life can change for an animal when people are willing to help.

Seeing an animal finally find their person is hard to describe. After following their journey, it feels incredibly rewarding when they get the happy ending they deserve.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering? Would you recommend it?

Absolutely. Volunteering has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve met wonderful people, learned a lot and had the chance to play a small part in helping animals find loving homes.

You don’t have to do something huge to make a difference. Every little bit helps, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know you’ve been part of an animal’s journey to a better life.