Kirsten MacQuarrie was inspired to start volunteering with the Scottish SPCA after adopting her late rescue dog Gypsy.
A Scottish SPCA volunteer has been recognised for her commitment to animal welfare after being named as a finalist in the Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards.
Kirsten MacQuarrie, a chartered librarian from Glasgow, has been shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year at the national ceremony – which is set to be held on Thursday 7 May.
She was inspired to start her volunteering journey with the charity after adopting her late dog Gypsy from their Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre back in 2016.
Kirsten said: “Gypsy really just transformed my life and rescued me every bit as much as we rescued her. She was a Border Collie and we got her when she was 11 and had her until she was 14 and a half. She was very much a wild spirit as she hadn’t been treated as a pet before so it was a steep learning curve but rewarding.
Something that brings people together
“Back then, I was working at Blantyre Library in South Lanarkshire and because we were quite near to the Lanarkshire centre, we decided to set up an animal foodbank – it’s always just something that brings people together.
“I was invited along to a meeting of the Lanarkshire fundraising group and that was a great opportunity to meet likeminded animal lovers. Inspired by that, I decided to take on the Glasgow Kiltwalk and that raised about £1,200 – it was an incredible response.”
Kirsten was struck by the amount of people right across Scotland that feel the same as her and want to do their bit. She has been on a mission ever since to raise awareness of the important work of the Scottish SPCA.
“Loving animals has been something instilled in me truly lifelong,” Kirsten explained.
“When I was a toddler and my grandpa took me out, I would pat the Scottish SPCA collie and lamb collection cans. I was brought up to know that the world we create for animals tells us a lot about the world we’re making for ourselves and the compassion and care we want to see.
“Gypsy passed away at the end of 2019 and then in 2020, I was volunteering at the Lanarkshire centre and that was where I met Winnie who’s our rescue dog now. Since then, it’s been exclusively fundraising I’ve been doing. We’ve also got Shep as well, our second rescue dog, and life just revolves around them in the best possible way. They inspire everything.
It’s for her
“Without the Scottish SPCA, Winnie wouldn’t be alive – it’s as simple as that. It’s for her and for Gypsy that I do everything and always will.”
Kirsten is one of three to be selected as a finalist for Volunteer of the Year, alongside volunteers from Cats Protection and Hull-based charity Harleys Angels.
Speaking about the nomination, Kirsten said: “I was totally blown away. To be chosen and to be lucky this time round feels amazing and I’m so grateful.
“The first thought in my head, because it’s me, was let’s do another fundraiser! I think that’s what my priority is even now – to make sure that this benefits the animals.
“It’s so exciting and such a lovely occasion. When I look at all the charities that are represented, it’s such a good opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the difference that we’re making to animals and therefore to the wider world.”
Kirsten has set up a JustGiving page to celebrate her nomination and raise money for the Scottish SPCA.
Help ensure Scotland is at the forefront of animal welfare
The Scottish SPCA’s call for a National Animal Offenders Register is one of the four main asks of its recently published manifesto. Delivering on these will help ensure Scotland is at the forefront of animal welfare and is crucial to prevent future harm and tackle repeat offending. In turn, this is essential to help achieve our mission to make Scotland the best place for an animal to call home. Read our full Manifesto and sign our petition to show your support.
To report a concern of cruelty, visit our contact webpage.
