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Pukekohe’s Alorah Gillgren has been named the SPCA’s Young Volunteer of the Year.
The 19-year-old volunteers for the SPCA’s Mangere centre, bottle-feeding and fostering
animals, or attending events on behalf of the SPCA – you name it, she does it.
Gillgren has a regular weekly shift but also volunteers for extra shifts when she’s got spare time.
“In the mornings, we clean out the rabbit enclosures and the other small animals’ areas. We wash the dishes, restock everything, put them away, play with the animals, and clean up generally. Sometimes I’ll also do the afternoon shift, where it’s basically just making sure everything’s highly cleaned and then feeding them at the end of the day.”
Gillgren says animals at the shelter come from a variety of situations like over-breeding and welfare cases, while one rabbit was handed in after a house fire.
Gilgreen is in her second year of studying for a New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Unitec.
“I just like helping out and making sure that these rabbits and small animals get a good start.”
“It’s good to be able to give them a safe, warm environment, so they can go to their forever homes.”
Her award citation states:
‘Alorah’s compassion, dedication, and versatility have made a remarkable impact at SPCA in a short period of time. Since beginning volunteering in late 2024, she has become a reliable and highly valued weekly volunteer, consistently approaching every task with enthusiasm and a strong work ethic.
‘Team members describe her as hardworking, thorough, and deeply caring toward the animals in her care, with many commenting that any task given to her is always completed to a high standard.’
The SPCA says Gillgren is an exceptional foster parent. She has fostered more than twenty animals, including rabbits, kittens, and puppies, and is one of their trusted “bottle baby” fosterers.
“Caring for vulnerable neonate animals requires patience, resilience, and emotional strength – all qualities Alorah demonstrates with maturity and dedication. She has also volunteered at community events, including assisting at a dog vaccination drive earlier this year.”
