In light of the International Day of Charity (or World Charity Day), The Great Projects paid a visit to the National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford to capture a day in the life of all the hard working volunteers at the centre. On Tuesday 5th September, we implore you all to get involved with charity work, either by donating to your favourite charity or taking part in a volunteer activity at your local sanctuary or rescue centre! See how our time at the National Animal Welfare Trust went down by reading our interview with Jackie, the manager of the Watford centre.
On…the history of the National Animal Welfare Trust
The National Animal Welfare Trust was originally a boarding facility for evacuated pets during the Second World War. We started rescuing animals and rehoming them on this site, and the rescue-rehoming took such priority that it just become a rescue-rehoming centre, and we actually stopped boarding completely.
We’ve been here over 40 years, and for us the most important thing is to take in unwanted animals for whatever reason, and find them forever homes.
On…the aims of NAWT
The aims of the National Animal Welfare Trust is to promote responsible pet ownership. For us, it’s really important that we do everything possible when we rehome an animal, to ensure that it stays in its forever home; that it’s the right match, and the owner has the full support before they take the animal, and after they’ve taken the animal, because we still maintain a relationship with them.
On…the message the NAWT would like to share
So, one of the things about us…because we promote responsible pet ownership, is that we welcome people to contact us when they can’t look after an animal. For whatever reason, we think that it’s an important, responsible thing for people to contact rescues, and bring them in for rehoming. We’d like to take away that stigma, because it’s unfair on the person whose circumstances have changed; who’re then forced to give up their beloved pet. We also want to encourage people to come to rescues. You get support with us, you get a relationship with us that maybe you wouldn’t get from an individual or a pet shop, and I just think rescues are such a positive, fantastic place. Come down and see us; we’re an Open Paw centre, and we hand out an open paw to everyone to come round and feed the animals, and just see what rescue is about. It’s a really lovely place, and if you came and saw it, you’d fall in love with it as well.
We would like to say a big thank you to the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) for letting us pay them a visit, and we would like to take this chance to remind you that if you are looking to bring a pet into your home, then do consider rehoming an animal in need from a centre such as NAWT. If you are unable to adopt but you would still like to help the animals, please visit www.nawt.org.uk/ to find out more.
Share this article with your friends and followers by using the social media buttons below.
Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.
Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.
Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.
Lauren and James have returned and are ready to relay tales...
Team members Lauren and James, joined colleague Georgia to...
Volunteer Lynne Coe shares her valuable tips on what to...
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Borneo...
The Great Projects volunteer coordinators, Matt and Niamh,...
The Great Projects' volunteer coordinators Matt and Niamh...
As the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Project begins once again...
Inge volunteered at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary in...