We recently had the opportunity to speak with Peter Carmody, Driver at our Durham Depot, whose charity, Pawz for Thought, was chosen as one of our two NVS Group nominated charities. Peter shared the personal reasons behind his support for Pawz for Thought and the incredible work they carry out to rescue and rehabilitate animals throughout the North East.
Firstly, tell us about your role at NVS
I’ve been with NVS since August 2022, which is about a year and a half after our Durham depot opened. I’m one of the drivers, and my delivery route, 536, covers Newcastle, Northumberland, Whitley Bay, and Tyneside.
What inspired you to nominate Pawz for Thought?
The inspiration came from a lovely little discovery I made just around the corner from where I live in Sunderland: a small Pawz for Thought charity shop. It’s tiny but packed full of all sorts of stuff, and the same wonderful volunteers greet you every time. Their dedication piqued my curiosity, and so I dug deeper into what the charity was about.
When I visited their centre, I was absolutely blown away. This charity never turns an animal away – whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, or even a hedgehog. A few years back, they even assisted some seagulls in need!
They’re all volunteers except for one paid member of the team, and everything comes from donations, or they pay for it themselves. The volunteers are all incredibly passionate about helping animals and really knowledgeable, but they’ll also make sure to get help and advice from a vet if needed.
How is Pawz for Thought making a difference?
Pawz for Thought makes an extraordinary difference by providing a lifeline for animals in need in the North East. Their centre, by the River Wear, houses dozens of cats and other animals, and it’s heartwarming to see how they care for each and every one.
Their primary aim is to rescue and rehabilitate animals, providing them with a safe haven and subsequently finding them a loving new home. Their centre is staffed day and night by volunteers, and no matter what time you call, you’ll find a volunteer ready to assist however they can. They’ve established a real sanctuary where people can bring animals, confident that they’ll be in good hands.
How will our contributions help the charity?
Pawz for Thought is entirely funded by donations and fundraising activities, such as the charity shop and random online auctions. These auctions may involve items that cost just coppers, but every little helps, and all proceeds go to support the charity. Funding goes directly towards basic necessities like food, heating, and lighting to keep the centre operational.
Currently, they’re looking to enhance their facilities with new offices and a fantastic new cattery. This will improve the living conditions for the animals and the working conditions for the volunteers. They’re also working on building a new website to reach a broader audience.
Is there anything else we can do to further support the charity?
Absolutely, there are plenty of ways to get involved! Follow them on Facebook, and you’ll see for yourself the incredible work that they do. Engaging with their online auctions and fundraising activities is another significant way to help. They even have a wishlist on Amazon for those who prefer to contribute items directly.
Could you offer an animal a new home? They always have a large number of cats and rabbits looking for their forever homes – visit them on Facebook or their website to find out more. They operate a strict vetting process to ensure they place the right animal with the right owner, but this can often be homes outside of the North East area. For anyone in the local area, donations to their shop are always welcomed, and they are always in need of volunteers to help run the shop.
Find out more…
Website: pawzforthought.org
Facebook: facebook.com/pawzforthought
