Helena Walker and Princess with volunteer Beth Wright.
Camera IconHelena Walker and Princess with volunteer Beth Wright. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Volunteers’ pet-care service fit for Princess

Michele Nugent, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

The Belmont senior citizen and her papillon, Madam Princess, are thankful for POOPS at least three times a week.

So, what is POOPS? Established by Salter Point resident Tangea Tansley three years ago, Pets of Older Persons recruits volunteers who provide free care for the dogs, cats and birds due to the owners’ age, medical emergency or disability.

While the group has more than 100 volunteers in the metro area and beyond, Ms Tansley said they were needed in Belmont and she hoped heightened awareness of the group’s good work would encourage a few more to volunteer.

She and her dog had first accepted POOPS’s help about two years ago after she had to spend an extended period in hospital.

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A volunteer continues to take Madam Princess for her much-loved walk three times a week.

‘It’s peace of mind knowing that I can make one phone call and Madam will be looked after if I get sick. Everyone always tells me how happy she looks when she goes for a walk,’ Ms Walker said.

POOPS president Richard Wheater said the group was designed to help people age 65 and over ” or palliative-care patients of any age ” with dog-walking, home visits, feeding, grooming and transport.