Scottish SPCA volunteer, Kirsten MacQuarrie, talks to us after winning big at the Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards
Tell us how you feel about being crowned Volunteer of the Year – what was your reaction?
Absolutely astonished – although in truth, I could hardly hear myself think over the cheers of the Scottish SPCA team! My fellow finalists, Leisha from Hayley’s Angels and Carol from Cats Protection North Yorkshire, both do such outstanding work, I never expected to be the lucky one this time around; indeed, it was clear from the moment we arrived at the ceremony that the entire room was filled with folk from across the UK bringing incredible care and compassion to animal welfare. The video montage of some of my key volunteering moments, accompanied by hugely generous comments from SSPCA colleagues, made for an amazing highlights reel, especially when I saw my wonderful rescue dog Winnie up on the big screen! The best surprise of all, though, was finding out that the winner’s charity receives a cheque from the Petplan Charitable Trust, which will make such a valuable difference to the Scottish SPCA’s work as Scotland’s only all animal rescue service.
What is your favourite activity that you have took part in to fundraise for the Scottish SPCA?
There are so many, all fun and fascinating in different ways! My first Kiltwalk back in 2019 still feels hard to beat and shows the difference that volunteering can make to individuals as well as their chosen causes. Starting out, I had serious doubts that I’d be fit (in every sense!) for physical challenge, so crossing the finishing line – to the sound of bagpipes playing proudly! – gave me a tremendous confidence boost. I had fashioned a rucksack cover bearing my beloved rescue dog Gypsy’s picture and story, so it was especially lovely when fellow walkers came up to me afterwards to learn more about her and talk to ‘the girl wearing her dog’!
The annual Kelpies Supernova is likewise an iconic challenge, leaving me and the other runners glowing in more ways than one (because it takes place in the dark). Vlogging and videoing on my way round the route always proves a great way to generate extra donations – and as an added benefit, it helps to distract me from the muscle burn!
During March 100km in 2025, my quest to cover the distance took me all over Scotland, and once I happened to find myself outside the Scottish Parliament. Ideal, I thought, for a piece to camera about the amazing lobbying work of the Scottish SPCA! My partner Gerry, who is himself a great animal lover and was known by then to my social media followers as ‘everyone’s favourite cameraman’, was happy to help, but the multiple ‘takes’ it took and our laughter in between as I stumbled over my impromptu script made for a bloopers reel longer than the real one. I hope that posting them both helped would-be volunteers to realise that imperfect yet passionate can in itself be a strong advocacy strategy – after all, giving people a laugh often inspires them to donate!
What’s your next fundraising activity that you will be taking part in?
Since finding out that I’d been fortunate enough to be a Volunteer of the Year finalist, I’ve actually been running a fundraiser to celebrate, so that remains live for anyone reading who’d like to donate and be part of the rescue! I’m also (gulp) eyeing up Glasgow’s Zipslide the Clyde over the summer – last year I was part of the cheer squad on the ground, shouting our encouragement to the courageous Scottish SPCA participants soaring high on the zipwire above us, so if I’m brave enough I’ll take to the skies myself this time around. I’m also thinking about ways in which my work as a writer and librarian can continue to support the Scottish SPCA’s mission.
What impact has volunteering had on you as a person?
Without exaggeration, volunteering has changed my life for the better – not least because, without spending time helping out in the kennels of the Lanarkshire ARRC, I would never have met Winnie. From post-pandemic social isolation and mental health challenges to the cost-of-living crisis and increasingly vicious political polarisation, life in recent years has been tough for just about all of us, in different ways. My most important message to readers is that volunteering needn’t and shouldn’t be seen as yet another thing on your already long to-do list – instead, it’s a secret weapon for finding purpose, exercising autonomy and knowing that your efforts in life are having a positive impact: in the case of the Scottish SPCA, for the most vulnerable and voiceless creatures in our society. To paraphrase one of my favourite quotes, from the author David Mitchell at the end of Cloud Atlas: we are all just a drop in the ocean, yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?
What advice would you give a potential new volunteer who is looking to support the Scottish SPCA?
We need you, whoever you are! From microvolunteering that takes just a few minutes of your time every month to promoting animal adoption via your tech and website skills, driving to deliver much-needed Pet Aid supplies to local food banks, or growing your public speaking confidence through our Speakers’ Network, as well as classic activities like emptying collection cans in your local area or supporting animal care in our ARRCs, there really is a role for everyone to chip in and make a difference to Scotland’s animals. One of my first fundraising efforts was establishing an animal foodbank in Blantyre Library, where the food and toys kindly donated by our patrons would go to our local rescue centre. How about setting us something similar in your workplace? Or searching on the Scottish SPCA social media accounts for the stories of ‘stickies’ – animals who have already spent months or even years in our care – and highlighting their loveliness to potential adopters amongst your Facebook friends? Remember, too, that you don’t need to do it alone – we have fantastic fundraising groups all across Scotland, which also offer a brilliant way to make new friends and connect with like-minded animal lovers. I’ve been collaborating with my fellow Lanarkshire fundraisers Gwen, Dawn, Sally and Heather for years and we have such fun, backed by the steadfast support of our fabulous fundraising lead Sharon!
