As the Dogs Trust marks the 30th anniversary of its Darlington rehoming centre at Sadberge, PETER BARRON pops along for a ‘chinwag’ with the charity’s longest-serving volunteer
FOR someone who has never owned a dog in her life, Jill Winterburn has an impressive pedigree when it comes to going for “walkies” with four-legged friends in all shapes and sizes.
As the longest-serving volunteer with the Dogs Trust at Sadberge, near Darlington, Jill has clocked up thousands of miles, exercising every breed imaginable.
“I just love being with dogs, so it’s a labour of love,” says Jill, proudly wearing a sunny yellow t-shirt with the words “Volunteering to keep tails wagging” emblazoned on the back.
The Dogs Trust Darlington Rehoming Centre celebrated its 30th anniversary with an open event at the weekend, and Jill is part of a 40-strong team of volunteers at the heart of the charity’s success.
She became a volunteer 14 years ago and her devotion is all the more remarkable given that she’s never had her own dog.
“My husband and I both have busy working lives, so it’s never been practical for us to have a dog, but I get so much enjoyment by volunteering for the Dogs Trust,” adds Jill.
Over the past three decades, the centre has rehomed an estimated 20,000 dogs. Last year alone, 648 dogs were found loving homes, and that figure has already topped 400 this year. There’s an average of 80-90 animals in the centre’s care at any time, with volunteers playing an integral role.
“We couldn’t do what we do without them,” says volunteer co-ordinator Kate Frank. “They make things happen and give dogs better lives – even if it’s just giving them a cuddle.”
As well as dog-walkers, the volunteer team covers a wide variety of tasks, including foster caring, fundraising, administration, cleaning, laundry, maintenance, and gardening.
“A lot of our volunteers are people who’ve lost their own dogs and don’t feel ready to get another one yet – volunteering for us is a step in between,” explains Kate.
“We’ve also got quite a few volunteers who’ve had mental health issues. Coming here, and being around dogs, helps them because there’s they’re giving something back – something they believe in – so it’s a very positive feeling.”
The joy for Jill is in being out in the fresh air, taking dogs off site, with favourite locations for walks including Skerningham Woods, and South Burdon Community Forest, close to where she lives.
She works four days a week in children and adult services at Darlington Borough Council, leaving her with Fridays to volunteer for the Dogs Trust.
She’s happy to be assigned any dog, and today she’s been given a bouncy young Lurcher-Malinois cross, called Blain, who’s clearly delighted to see her.
Having come in as a stray, Blain’s waiting to find a new home, and a walk in the woods with Jill is the highlight of his day.
“It’s such a lovely feeling, being out in the countryside, and knowing the dogs are happy,” she says.
“The staff here are all so lovely too – so dedicated to caring for the dogs. It feels like being part of a big family.
“Of course, you get attached to dogs, and it’s sad when they leave, but you know they’re going to a loving home, and that’s what it’s all about. There’s never going to be a shortage of dogs to walk.”
Saturday’s 30th anniversary event featured a dog show, dog school classes, interactive activities, competitions, face painting (for kids, not dogs), and a dog agility course.
Next month, a recruitment drive will be launched to find more volunteers to help keep the centre providing happy endings for dogs needing new homes.
- Anyone interested in finding out more about being a Dogs Trust volunteer should email Katherine.Frank@dogstrust.org.uk
“We have a really lovely, dedicated band of volunteers doing invaluable work but it’s always nice to bring in new blood,” says Kate.
As for Jill, she's been promised that she and her husband can finally have their own dog when he retires from his work in pensions.
However, for the foreseeable future at least, spending fun-filled Fridays at the Dogs Trust will continue to be an important part of her life.
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She’s lost count of how many dogs she’s walked over the years, and how many miles she’s covered, but she’s showing no signs of being dog tired.
“Signing up was one of the best decisions I ever made – I can’t imagine not coming here now,” she smiles, as Blain tugs impatiently at his lead, having decided this interview has gone on far too long.
A TRIP BARK IN TIME…
- 1891 English aristocrat and novelist, Lady Gertrude Stock, forms the National Canine Defence League to campaign against cruelty to dogs.
- 1911 The NCDL influences the introduction of the Protection of Animals Act, meaning that anyone convicted of cruelty can be prevented from keeping an animal.
- 1937 The NCDL distributes leaflets on road safety to help reduce the number of dogs killed or injured by cars
- 1964 The charity adopts a policy of never destroying a healthy dog in its care.
- 1978 The slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” is created by the charity.
- 1994 With rehoming operations being established throughout the country, the Darlington centre opens at Sadberge.
- 1995 The Hope Project is launched, providing free veterinary treatment for the dogs of owners facing homelessness.
- 1999 The NCDL begins its public education campaigns, focusing on neutering, microchipping, and responsible dog ownership.
- 2003 The National Canine Defence League changes its name to the Dogs Trust.
- 2004 The Freedom Project is launched as a free dog fostering service to help people and their dogs escape domestic abuse
- 2022 As the Covid-19 pandemic grips the country, the charity's slogan is temporarily changed to 'A dog is for life, not just for lockdown'.
- 2024 The Darlington Rehoming Centre celebrates its 30th anniversary.
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