I first heard about IDR through my daughter Charlotte who started volunteering there through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
My wife Zoe, other daughter Jessica and myself decided to help out as volunteers too and we all started as Saturday morning regulars back in February 2020. Having a rescue dog ourselves, and always having had dogs in the family, we wanted to do whatever we could to help other rescue dogs find their forever home.
I became a senior in April 2024, a few months after Jessica - Zoe and Charlotte joined the senior ranks soon after and we now run the rescue every Saturday. The duties are varied and include kennel cleaning, feeding, assisting and supervising volunteers, adoption viewings and walking dogs.
The best part of the job is spending as much time as possible with the dogs, helping them settle in and nurturing them to the stage where they can be rehomed. There is nothing more pleasing than seeing the change in a dog that is wary or scared of humans and then gaining their trust. I can't think of anything more satisfying than seeing each dog going off to their new life and forever home.
In almost 5 years at IDR I have come across many special dogs. However one of the first dogs I ever walked, Shiloh, holds a special memory for me. Despite being physically abused, the scars of which were visible, Shiloh was one of the sweetest and kindest soul you could meet. Having been a resident for quite some time it was lovely to see him get a well deserved home with one of our senior volunteers at the time.