At The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, we have a network of volunteers working across the country who help us to keep the rescue running in a variety of support roles. Our volunteer voices feature gives you the opportunity to find out more about what it’s like to volunteer for The Bunnyjackpot Foundation. This month, we meet Charlotte from Somerset.
How did you first start volunteering?
I started volunteering with The Bunnyjackpot Foundation after adopting Map to join our herd of guinea pigs as resident neutered boar in January 2024. It started with a few transport runs that I saw on social media, including a very long trip to collect two more piggies to join the herd, and then I found out about volunteering, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Tell us about your volunteer role…
I still do the odd transport run when I can, helping to move piggies and bunnies between HQ and foster homes to make sure everyone is where they need to be. I spend more time now creating information articles for the website, mainly about piggies who I (currently) know a bit more about! There are always admin tasks needing to be done as well, and I have recently started helping out with the newsletter too. My love of photography has also started to be utilised, with a few mini photoshoots with foster animals at Map’s foster mum’s house, and hopefully to be expanded soon!
What’s your favourite thing about volunteering for The Bunnyjackpot Foundation?
I love that I can support this wonderful rescue who help the most vulnerable bunnies, piggies and other small furries in a way that is suited to my current capacity and makes the most of the skills I have. It’s a great community to be a part of!
How does volunteering fit around your life?
I have quite varied hours with my job, so the amount of time I have available to help can be different week-to-week. Volunteering fits into the gaps I have available and with the variety of different things that need doing, I can pick up different tasks each week. Everyone is really understanding that my availability can change week-to-week, which is really helpful too!
What’s your favourite volunteer task?
I really enjoy writing articles for the website, providing advice on guinea pig care. I love that The Bunnyjackpot Foundation is so passionate about education and how this can impact the welfare of piggies, bunnies and other small animals outside the rescue. Although, taking photos of the cutest piggies has been a particular highlight recently!
What’s your favourite thing about guinea pigs?
Their little lips and the sounds they make either screaming for food or munching on said food!
What’s it like to be a part of The Bunnyjackpot Foundation’s community?
It’s great to be part of a community of likeminded people who all care greatly! Everyone is so supportive and understanding, whether that be answering a question or understanding the need to take a step back due to other commitments for a short or long time.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from volunteering?
How much it takes to run a rescue! There are so many little parts behind the scenes that people don’t see and appreciate, from fundraising ideas to home checks, to writing content and making sure all the admin is in place as well – not to mention the daily task of looking after fosters and sanctuary animals. Rescues really can make use of a whole variety of skills so even if you don’t think you have the experience, why not give it a go?
Could you volunteer your time and expertise to The Bunnyjackpot Foundation? Get in touch today!
