Kym

Kym adopted her first grey 18 years ago and is now proudly on greyhound number three! Since coming on board, Kym has been a bit of a volunteer all-rounder, helping out with enrichment at Seymour, supporting adoption events, playing concierge at our Tullamarine centre and even joining us for corporate visits to spread the greyhound love.

What’s your name, how do you volunteer with GAP, and when did you first start volunteering with us?

Kym Forrest. I started volunteering in 2022 when I retired. It was something I always planned to do once I retired .I do a variety of volunteer roles including greyhound enrichment on site at GAP, adoption events, adoption concierge at Tullamarine and have been involved in a corporate visit to help greyhounds as pets

What made you decide to become a GAP volunteer?

I adopted my first greyhound from GAP 18 years ago and my current grey is my third. They are such beautiful dogs, full of so much love and bring a constant smile to your face with some of their antics . I became a volunteer at GAP so I could help greyhounds transition into their new life and provide cuddles , support and encouragement as they waited for their new homes .

What’s your favourite part of being a GAP volunteer?

Lots of different favourite parts to being a volunteer.

• The start of a shift going into the kennels and seeing all the beautiful faces.
• Talking to potential adopters at adoption events and seeing the dogs go off to a new home .
• Seeing the shy , timid ones start to come out of their shell
• The endless cuddles of course
• Feeling part of a team and working with the GAP staff to make a difference in the lives of these beautiful dogs.

What’s your best story or memory from your time volunteering with us?

Not sure I have a best story , each shift is different and can be special in its own way depending on the dogs I interact with . I do remember getting very excited one shift at Seymour when I was asked to focus my time with a 11 week old greyhound puppy as part of its activity plan and enrichment for the day . I learnt very quickly that although cute , greyhound puppies are very mischevious , do not stay still , bounce like a tennis ball and love tangling themselves in the lead and like playing chasy in the pen when you are trying to catch them .I went home exhausted 

What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with GAP?

Just do it , each shift will make you smile and laugh , the GAP team are there to support and most importantly you can make a huge difference to a greys day .

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