Happy National Volunteer Week!

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we asked our RedRover Responders volunteers to share their experience of deploying with RedRover. Read their stories below.

“My favorite part of this experience was watching the personalities slowly show in these frightened dogs. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be separated from my family during a tornado. I liked that we had opportunities to spend loving on the animals during our downtime. One dog in particular was a beautiful red pitbull. She would shake and huddle in her kennel. She was so scared and would stare at the floor. I could not get her to eat for her first couple of days. But after talking to her, spending time with her, she would beam a smile and get happy whenever she saw me walk by her kennel. We both looked forward to our time together every day. Now she runs, jumps, plays and kisses my face. She gets excited every morning when she hears my voice. This is a connection that confirms to me that I am in the right place.”– RedRover Responders volunteer, Eastern Texas tornadoes, 2017

“The highlight of this deployment was reuniting Pat with her animals (and of course getting to know her 4 dogs over the course of the two days). This 81 year old lady was an inspiration to us all. She lost her home and couldn’t take her animals with her at the motel she was staying in, and yet she continued to deliver the local paper every day. She found fosters for all her four legged children (cats and dogs) and her spirits never wavered. I want to be her when I grow up! This is why I participate in emergency responses. I meet the most inspiring people and it’s an honor to care for their animals. I truly loved every minute of this deployment and enjoyed working with all the dogs (even the crazy cattle dog pups) and would deploy again in a second.” – RedRover Responders volunteer, Butte County Wall fire, 2017

“Every deployment, while unique, has one consistent thing and that is the wonderful volunteers. They are all hard-working, friendly, and so helpful that I look forward to getting on site to see who will be there.” – RedRover Responders volunteer, Hurricane Harvey, 2017

“The dogs that I cared for were clearly so grateful for the smallest of comforts…food, clean water but what was most endearing was how they would curl up in their new cozy towels/blankets. It was so rewarding.” – RedRover Responders volunteer, Hurricane Maria, 2017

“I love helping the animals. That’s what’s important, to be doing something that matters and makes a difference… It’s wonderful that animals are being taken out of bad situations, and you know that it’s the first step – whether it’s a cruelty situation or a disaster – it’s a step toward a better life for them. It’s going to keep getting better, and it’s great to be a part of that, helping to get them on their way.” – RedRover Responders volunteer, 2018 Rabbit Rescue