Why Volunteer? Why Not!

Volunteers are the very heart and soul of NCCR.  Without everyone’s efforts we would not be able to care for 200-300 dogs each year.  Each month we feature one of our great volunteers and this month it is Dana Baker.  If you have a few hours a week to spare, come and join the great team at NCCR!

“I became a volunteer for Northern Chautauqua Rescue because of my compassion for dogs.  As a young child I had bonded with every dog I ever came across.  It seemed that all the strays in town knew exactly where I lived.  And if one should happen to need a place to stay, food, or even a sore spot treated, I was there to provide it for them. I had accidentally come upon NCCR when they resided in an old pole barn where NCCR first began.  I was looking for a missing dog for a friend of mine. That’s when I met the founders of NCCR, Jann Balsano and Brenda Luce, and saw all the wonderful things they were doing for the many homeless, abused and surrendered dogs.  I knew immediately that this was my calling.  And so it began… The many hours of helping these poor pups that were in need of the love, compassion and companionship that we were able to give them, was very fulfilling.  I knew from the first day that I looked into their empty eyes, that I could not just turn my back and walk away from them.  They needed me.  They needed us.  And never a day went by that I regretted the hard work that was involved.  Because at the end of each day, I knew I helped save these poor helpless pups that would never have survived without us.  It made me feel complete.  To this day, I still help NCCR out in many ways.  I started my own boarding kennels so that I still had the day to day contact with my furry friends and I always keep a kennel or two opened for a rescue in need.

If you have even just a few hours a week to give, you will find caring for these dogs in need to be a very rewarding experience.”

Dana served as Co-Director, Dog Control Officer for Westfield/Ripley and NCCR Board Member for many years. In addition to providing foster care for dogs or puppies when needed, she owns and operates Creekside Boarding located on Minton Road in Westfield.

Why Volunteer? Why Not!

 Volunteers are the very heart and soul of NCCR.  Without everyone’s efforts we would not be able to care for 200-300 dogs each year.  Each month we feature one of our great volunteers and this month it is Joan Kunow.  If you have a few hours a week to spare, come and join the great team at NCCR!

“My journey to Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue wasn’t a planned one. As my husband, Peter, had been volunteering for several years after NCCR moved to Gale Street, I occasionally would lend him a hand at various jobs …. cleaning up the dog yards, helping with the yard work or taking over a shift with the dogs.  When NCCR was in need of an accountant about ten years ago, I volunteered to do the accounting and serve as treasurer on the board.

I’m sure to some people, paperwork isn’t probably the most exciting part of volunteering, but it is very essential in running this business and keeping us above board.   With the help of many volunteers, I enjoy doing my part in making sense of all the contributions and fundraisers as well as staying on top of the expenses and countless requirements.

Giving my time is something I do because there is a need for help, and that’s why we enjoy good volunteers at NCCR.  If it weren’t for our dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t have this great organization with so many activities and functions to keep us operating.  Our goal is the same, to find our dogs good homes. We all work toward that goal, not for recognition and status but because we love and care for dogs.

Volunteering at NCCR covers a multitude of opportunities especially if one has a special talent in a certain area. But you don’t have to be limited to that. You’ll still find me occasionally cleaning a dog yard, painting, cleaning or working in the yard as well as helping at a fundraiser or special event.  You can be a part of that too!”