Volunteer buys Christmas presents for homeless animals

A woman who says joining the RSPCA as a volunteer is the best thing she’s ever done in life now gives back by buying Christmas presents for all of the animals and staff every year.

And this year will be no different for Pippa Maher as she plays Santa Paws for the homeless pets at the RSPCA’s Martlesham Animal Centre, as well as all of the dedicated staff who take care of them while they wait for their forever homes.

Pippa (pictured above with Bella, who is looking for a home) started volunteering at the rescue centre – run by the RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch – in 2011.

She had to give up work a few years earlier after suffering from a breakdown and her support worker encouraged her to follow her passions and get into voluntary work.

The 41-year-old said: “I’d always wanted to work with dogs and my support worker encouraged me to volunteer. I emailed the RSPCA and they came back straight away and asked me to go down to fill in an application form.

“I got the bus there the very next day; it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s the most wonderful place to be and they’re the most wonderful people.”

She’s since adopted an RSPCA dog, Staffie Moxie, and visited the centre every week – between two and three times – to walk dogs.

She added: “I’m a dog person and love being with them; they’re so much easier to spend time with than people. You get so much from dogs and I really enjoy being with them, they’re such wonderful creatures. They bring me a certain peace.

“It’s also great getting out in the fresh air and getting exercise; it’s been good for my physical and mental health.

“I’m always learning when I’m with the dogs – learning more about them and about their behaviour. It’s been really enriching.

“And after having so many negative experiences of workplaces it’s been so refreshing to have such a positive experience of a work environment. Everyone is so lovely at Martlesham and they genuinely care about everyone.”

In a bid to give something back to the animals and staff at the RSPCA centre, in 2011, Pippa decided to start giving gifts to everyone at Christmas.

“I was in a shop and they’ve bought out an amazing but affordable pet range so I bought loads of stuff for the dogs and then decided I’d start doing Christmas hampers for them each year, filled with treats and toys, and biscuits and chocolates for the staff,” said Pippa.

“The dogs don’t have homes and families of their own, they’re in the best place they could be because of the hell they’ve been through so it’s my way of showing them a bit of extra love at Christmas time. I look at my dog and think how lucky she is and I want them to have a little bit of that.

“What they’ve been through is so awful and I like to do that nice thing for them. This year I’ll be giving the centre gift vouchers so they can buy the animals whatever they need.

“I also love to give the staff a little something special to say thank you; they work so hard throughout the year and put so much effort into every single animal in their care, they’re so dedicated. It’s such a hard job and they see such terrible things.”

Pippa, who lives in Ipswich, hopes that her story will help inspire other animal-lovers to give a gift this Christmas to an animal in need – whether it’s providing comfort, sanctuary, rehabilitation or protecting to animals in need via the RSPCA’s charity gifts (available online) or whether it’s by donating to your local rescue centre directly or supporting the RSPCA’s Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.

• Give a dog the gift of comfort to go towards a soft bed and nourishing breakfast for a rescued dog in RSPCA care this Christmas – £10;

• Give a horse or donkey the gift of sanctuary to help get them on the road to recovery this winter – £15;

• Give a gift of rehabilitation to a cat to help towards nursing a cat back to health this Christmas – £35;

• Give the gift of protection for an orphaned wild animal to help rehabilitate them and give them the best chance of making it back to the wild – £50.

Zoe Barrett-Lamb, the animal centre manager at Martlesham, said: “Volunteers are a crucial part of being able to help as many animals as possible at our Martlesham rehoming centre. We rely heavily on volunteers every day of the week to assist with cleaning animal accommodation, socialising and walking dogs, laundry, and much more.

“Without these voluntary hours our animal centre team would struggle to give the animals the extra special cuddles, treats and company they deserve while being in our care.

“Pippa is an amazing example of a committed volunteer. She comes to walk our dogs rain or shine, helps us with their training and always has a smile on her face. Our dogs love Pippa as much as she loves them.

“We have volunteers who have been with us for years, and some who have started recently but they all play their part in making lives better for animals who come from troubled pasts and for that we will be forever thankful.

“It’s not unfamiliar to see Pippa arrive with bags and bags of goodies for all to enjoy – staff and animals alike. Whether it be Easter, Christmas or all the days in between, Pippa is all about going the extra mile for animals in need, and making our hard-working team feel special too.”

Right now, too many animals are facing the worst times of their lives. Over the Christmas period, the RSPCA receives over 25,000 reports of animal suffering – including more than 700 on Christmas Day. That’s why it can’t stop for Christmas. As long as any animal is suffering, they will keep going to reach and rescue them.

🎄 Join the Christmas Rescue by finding out how you could volunteer for the RSPCA in your area, or by donating online rspca.org.uk/jointherescue.