Celebrating 10 years at RSPCA Derby

Karen recently celebrated 10 years working at RSPCA Derby! We had a chat with her about 

What role do you do?
I'm a Customer Care Assistant and I also volunteer as a fosterer (of anything that will fit in a Ford KA!) and cake baker.

What is a typical work day like for you?
A typical day would start with preparing paperwork for any adoptions I am doing that day. Manning the desk and front gate, to let in our lovely volunteers, inspectors dropping off animals, and members of the public who call in for help. I also spend a lot of my day answering the phone, trying to help people and their pets in all sorts of difficult situations.

What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is getting home and not being able to stop worrying about some of the distressing calls I have answered during the day.

What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of my job is definitely fostering, particularly handrearing kittens and puppies. It is exhausting during the first few weeks as they need bottle feeding every few hours day and night, so I have to take them everywhere with me, but its so rewarding to see them grow stronger and watch their true characters coming out. Though it’s very hard to part with any of them, it’s great to see them get adopted and I am really lucky that many of their lovely new families keep in touch with me and send photos and updates, which I appreciate so much.

How many animals have you adopted and fostered over the last 10 years?
Over the last 10 years I have fostered 253 animals and adopted 2 dogs and 3 cats (this number would be much higher if my poor long suffering husband wasn’t around to keep me in check!!)

Is there a particular animal that stole your heart?
Of all the animals I have fostered, a little wobbly kitten called Wonky stole my heart the most. He was part of the first litter I took home. He couldn’t walk in a straight line, spat his food everywhere when he ate, had a grade 5 heart murmur, and he also liked to spray up everything, including me!! But we loved him to bits and couldn’t bear to part with him, so he was the first animal we adopted from Abbey Street.