Cowichan Valley’s own doggy stylist

April 12, 2010. For immediate release.

Dogs at the BC SPCA's Cowichan & District Branch are fit for the catwalk, thanks to volunteer Gail Berger.

Berger, who runs the branch's dog walking program, puts her sewing skills to use making handcrafted collars and no-pull harnesses for the dogs at the shelter. She also sews a variety of other doggie duds to sell at the shelter's Christmas fundraiser and spring garage sale, the latter of which she coordinates, too.

"I realized that time is short in life and if you don't start doing some of the things you want to do - you may never get the chance," says Berger, a breast cancer survivor, of her volunteer work for the BC SPCA.

Berger began her volunteer career at the shelter as one of two dog walkers, devoting eight hours a week to caring for the dogs. "When I started at the shelter I remember walking along thinking, 'How can I be so lucky to be able to spend so much time with the dogs?'" says Berger of the joy she feels from her volunteer work.

Five years later, Berger coordinates the dog-walking program and its 24 volunteer dog walkers.

Volunteering over 15 hours a week, and up to 23 hours a week while planning the spring garage sale, Berger, a retired Cowichan Valley Association for Community Living Worker, does "whatever it takes" to get the job done.

Her passion for animals extends to her own family, as Berger has two dogs of her own, Georgi and Lady. Lady was found at the age of seven, severely malnourished and neglected. Now 12, Lady "is a very lovely dog," says Berger. She also has a cat named Molly who was left behind after some neighbours moved. "She just settled into our home and we never looked back," says Berger.

Berger is one of the BC SPCA's 4,000 volunteers, who work in countless capacities across the province, from walking dogs and making leashes to cuddling cats and organizing events and fundraisers. The BC SPCA salutes these essential volunteers during National Volunteer week April 18 to 24.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and able to commit to a minimum of tow hours a week for six months. Visit spca.bc.ca/volunteer.

Photo Caption: Gail Berger, dedicated Cowichan & District BC SPCA volunteer

For more information:

Melissa Major, coordinator of volunteers, BC SPCA, 604-681-7271.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.