Whether it’s a Veterinary Nurse at our Pet Hospitals or a Shop Manager at one of our charity shops, every team member and volunteer works incredibly hard to keep people and pets together.
Every year, we care for thousands of pets every working day across our 49 Pet Hospitals. Our charity shops collect stock donations from generous members of the public and sell them to raise money for PDSA’s life-saving veterinary services. It’s because of all this hard work that we can proudly say.
So, what is it like working at PDSA? We can safely say that every day is different. But don’t just take our word for it, read these first-hand stories from our team members at PDSA.
A day in the life of a PDSA Charity Shop Manager
As a keen animal lover, Helen has been working as a PDSA Shop Manager in Farnsworth for over seven years. No two days are the same in a charity shop – some days she might be focused on tasks on the shop floor like serving customers, operating the till and stacking shelves and others she might be working in the office completing important paperwork and other admin tasks.
Her top priority is always the welfare and wellbeing of our amazing volunteers, and making sure they are comfortable with their tasks. From sorting out displays and stock to helping customers, there’s always something to do in a PDSA charity shop.
“One of the great things about being manager is that I have creative freedom over how our shop looks and feels. I love being able to run the shop as if it’s my own. Being a manager often means thinking on your feet and adapting your priorities at a moment’s notice - you never know what is coming through the door!
“I always say being a Charity Shop Manager is like wearing many hats. It’s a fast-paced environment that can be challenging at times, but it’s rewarding to know you are making a difference and helping poorly pets.”
For more on Helen’s story, click here.
A day in the life of a PDSA Lead Volunteer
As a proud owner of cats, PDSA is a cause close to Liam’s heart. He’s one of our fantastic Lead Volunteers who has been at our Leeds PDSA shop since 2021.
“From visiting the Pet Hospitals with my own pets, I realised how important the work of PDSA is, and I felt inspired to help - which is why I looked into volunteering some of my time at one of their shops!”
Each day is different for Liam, with some of his tasks including:
- Restocking the shelves
- Tidying the shop floor
- Pricing any new stock
- Operating the till
- Interacting with customers
“I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering for PDSA to go for it - whether that's somebody out of work and needing something to fill their day, somebody with health problems (like myself) who is hoping to take the next step in their recovery, or students looking to develop new skills for their CV and obtain a reference for future employment.
“It’s a great place to be, no matter your age, level of experience, or the amount of time you have to spare. Get involved - you won’t regret it!”
For more on Liam’s story, click here.
A day in the life of a PDSA Veterinary Care Assistant
Back in 2015, Katarzyna volunteered as a Kennel Assistant at PDSA. Today, she’s employed full-time at the same Pet Hospital as a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA).
“I became interested in a veterinary career after moving to the UK in my mid-20s. I love animals, but – other than fostering a couple of dogs and owning pets myself – I didn't have any knowledge or experience in the field. I wanted to learn more, so I decided my first step would be volunteering. I knew it would be the best way to gain experience, learn more about working in a veterinary environment, and potentially get my 'foot in the door'.
“What I love most is that I see straightaway that what I do makes a difference. Pets, owners, and colleagues benefit almost immediately from my tasks – whether I'm trying to calm a stressed dog down before they go in for a procedure, stocking up the prep room, or staying with an owner while their beloved pet is being put to sleep. I love making a difference, even for just that one pet or pet owner.
“Volunteering gave me the confidence to go on and pursue a career in veterinary. If you're considering volunteering at a PDSA Pet Hospital, take my advice and do it!”
For more on Katarzyna’s story, click here.
A day in the life of a PDSA Head Nurse
Head Nurse Kay has been working at PDSA for over 30 years! From a young age, she knew she wanted to work with animals and volunteered at a small local practice when she was 16.
As a Vet Nurse at PDSA, every day is different. Her daily duties can include but are not limited to:
- Checking in on patients
- Planning and implementing in-patient care
- Carrying out post-op checks
- Administering medications
- Assisting in surgery
- Contacting pets’ owners
“Every day we have calls coming into the Pet Hospital; the entire veterinary team are incredibly busy treating pets and staying in touch with owners. Multiple operations take place daily, medications are dispensed, and animals are nursed back to health.
“I really love making a difference in pets and owners' lives through vet care and education. PDSA is there for pets and people in need. Without our help, they wouldn’t have anywhere else to turn.”
For more on Kay’s story, click here.
A day in the life of a PDSA Vet
From an early age, Joanne has loved animals and knew she wanted to be a vet and work with animals. She started her career at a private practice for the first six years before moving to work at PDSA.
“A typical day at work involves doing consultations to provide owners with support and advice for non-emergency issues, treating pets who need emergency treatment, carrying out urgent procedures, or looking after sick and injured pets on the ward like Toby the cat.
“I love working for a veterinary charity that helps people’s much-loved pets when they are unable to afford treatment elsewhere. Not being able to afford vet care can cause so much worry, but we can make a difference by helping them.
“The trust pet owners put into us and the gratitude they show for our help is amazing. I love the variety of people we meet in this job and the range of procedures we carry out at PDSA.”
For more on Joanne’s story, click here.
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