Heather Horton celebrated after more than 14 years helping rescue dogs find loving homes
DOGS Trust Bridgend is celebrating the dedication of one of its longest-serving volunteers as part of National Volunteers’ Week.
Heather Horton, who has volunteered with the charity for more than 14 years, is being recognised for her outstanding contribution to helping rescue dogs find new homes and supporting the work of the rehoming centre.
Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1 to 7, is an annual UK-wide campaign celebrating the vital role volunteers play in communities and charities across the country.
Heather is one of more than 80 volunteers and 60 foster carers who support Dogs Trust Bridgend and Dogs Trust Cardiff. Their work includes dog walking, gardening, cleaning kennels and bedding, fostering dogs and helping with fundraising activities.
Reflecting on her years with the charity, Heather said she first became involved following her retirement and the loss of her husband.
“I started volunteering at Dogs Trust Bridgend after I retired and I lost my husband,” she said. “I knew I loved dogs, and I simply just wanted to help out.
“Over the last 14 years, I’ve helped so many dogs find their forever homes, but I’ll always remember when a photo of me and a dog was seen on social media by a family from Jersey, who came all the way to Bridgend to adopt him.”
Across the UK, Dogs Trust relies on more than 3,600 volunteers who help the charity care for over 11,000 dogs every year.
Kim Davies, Manager at Dogs Trust Bridgend, praised the commitment of volunteers and the difference they make to the lives of dogs in the charity’s care.
“Our volunteers go above and beyond for the dogs in our care, and it simply wouldn’t be possible to achieve everything we do without them,” she said.
“Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to thank them for their time, commitment and good humour – they are simply the best.
“At Dogs Trust, we’re always on the lookout for new faces to help and people who may be interested in rehoming some of our lovely pooches.”
The charity said changes introduced last year have expanded its fostering network, allowing more dogs to spend time in home environments rather than kennels while waiting for permanent homes.
Dogs Trust says the approach has helped improve the wellbeing and welfare of dogs awaiting adoption.
Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more about rehoming opportunities can visit Dogs Trust Bridgend or Dogs Trust Cardiff, or find further information online.
