“Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”
Karen Davison, A Dog’s Guide to Humans
For Kristy, who is a member of the Rehomer Team and is in-charge of rehoming efforts in the West, volunteering with SOSD is basically a way of life. Even while busy with a full-time office job and with other passions like ice hockey and working out in the gym, she always makes time for her beloved canines.
“My weekends are generally set aside for adoption drives or house visits. Those are the priorities for sure. As for weekdays, my working hours are quite fixed, and other than ice hockey training and game days, I make time in the evening for house visits or just following up on email inquiries and group chats.”
Having initially signed up as a fosterer at an adoption drive in late 2013, Kristy soon got involved in helping out at adoption drives instead, eventually also becoming a part of the rehoming team. Her duties include managing the puppies during adoption drives, attending to adoption inquiries, and managing rehoming efforts in the western parts of Singapore, which includes making home visits to see how home-stays are working out and completing adoption paperwork.
It goes without saying that Kristy has particular affection for the puppies that she works with.
“I simply adore every single puppy and I make sure I keep in contact with all the adopters and dogs. Whenever I visit the adopted dogs and see that they still remember me fondly, it always touches my heart.”
Volunteering with SOSD goes far beyond fun and games with cute puppies though.
“It has been a remarkably fulfilling experience and I am immensely grateful to meet so many kind adopters and fosterers who provided each of our dogs with a new home and a loving family. I still maintain close relationships with most of them, and they regularly update me with recent photos of the happily-adopted dogs.
“I am also very fortunate to have met and had the chance to work closely with the core rehoming members. They are amazing friends and dedicated volunteers, and I cherish them very much.
“The most heartwarming part of my volunteering experience is my relationship with my longest-running fosterer, Cleophina, who has fostered countless puppies for us and who has adopted one for herself. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank her, her four young girls, and even her helper, who have generously opened up their home and hearts to give so much love and care for our dogs.
You have given warmth to my heart with the friendship that we have built together, Cleo!”
And finally, some advice for those looking to volunteer with SOSD:
“Be ready to make time to travel to house visits. That said, it never gets dull meeting new people and, often, meeting extremely cute puppies as well!
“Although there can be some tough times along the way, we can always count on our fellow volunteers to provide support and encouragement. Who knows, you might get to learn invaluable new skills from these great people who come from all walks of life.”
To find out more about volunteering opportunities with SOSD, check out this link: http://sosd.org.sg/join-us-as-volunteers/
Make our dogs’ lives better, and you might just do something for your own as well 
