An animal rehoming centre in Bury is thanking the volunteers who support its mission.
Pet charity Blue Cross in Manchester is highlighting the work of its volunteers in fostering homeless animals and running essential services during Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from June 1 to 7.
Foster carers provide temporary homes for pets until they find permanent families, while other volunteers help to operate the charity’s pet food bank service, which supplies food to owners struggling with costs.
So far this year, the charity’s Manchester pet rehoming unit on Blackburn Street in Radcliffe has supported nearly 300 pets in need of care and housing.
Nationally, Blue Cross is seeing a "hidden pet welfare crisis", with the rising cost of living leaving more owners unable to afford pet care and increasingly reliant on services such as pet food banks.
Debbie Johnson, a 62-year-old volunteer driver, has been supporting Blue Cross since May 2022.
She said: "I decided to start volunteering after I saw adverts on TV about different charities and wanted to do something to help.
"It was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
"I have become part of an amazing and supportive team, and I get so much joy from hearing that an animal has found their forever home.
"It’s become a family thing now as I got my son involved as a driver too."
Ms Johnson said volunteering at the pet rehoming unit has helped her through personal loss.
She said: "I lost my husband suddenly last year, and I have had so much love and support from the team.
"They have helped me through this difficult time, and the volunteering has kept me going."
Her role includes delivering pet food to those who use the food bank, transporting animals, and collecting donations.
Samantha Bowker, volunteer co-ordinator at Blue Cross Manchester, said: "We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers and the difference they make every single day.
"Not only do they provide practical support, but they also bring compassion, care, and commitment to everything they do.
"Volunteers like Debbie are absolutely vital in helping us support even more pets and people.
"Quite simply, we could not do what we do without them."
Ms Bowker said volunteering opportunities are available in areas such as rehoming centres, charity shops, pet loss support, and food banks.
She said: "We are particularly in need of more volunteer foster carers to provide short-term homes for pets while they wait for permanent families.
"We provide full training and cover all associated costs, including travel expenses.
"If you think you could help, we’d love to hear from you."
Pets at Home will support Blue Cross through a nationwide summer fundraiser running from July 27 to August 16.
Customers will be able to purchase pet food parcels for donation to nearby food banks or make monetary contributions to support the Blue Cross pet food bank project.
Blue Cross, a national charity founded in 1897, supports thousands of animals each month through veterinary care, behavioural advice, rehoming, and education for future generations.
They also offer pet bereavement support.
The charity believes in the life-changing impact of pets and aims to help foster healthy, lasting relationships between people and their animals, offering lifelong advice and support to pet owners.
Volunteer drivers like Ms Johnson make it possible for Blue Cross to continue reaching the pets and owners who rely on these services.
Anyone interested in volunteering with Blue Cross can find more information and available roles at bluecross.org.uk/volunteer.
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