From the Thrift Shop to Dog Walks: How Sheila Doubled Her Impact at the HBSPCA
Sheila combined her love for animals and people through two volunteer roles at the HBSPCA — proving one passion can make a big impact.
At the Hamilton Burlington SPCA, volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. They sort, walk, clean, greet, organize, cuddle, and care — all for the animals and people who love them. And sometimes, one volunteer manages to do it all.
Meet Sheila.
Sheila first joined the HBSPCA in 2024, drawn by a simple but powerful motivation: her love for animals and her passion for helping people. She quickly found her place at the HBSPCA Pet Thrift Shop, where every item sold — from gently used toys to bags of pet food — helps fund vital services for animals in need.
“I’ve always cared about animals and I enjoy working with people,” Sheila says. “Volunteering here is the best of both worlds. I love chatting with customers and knowing our work helps pets and the people who love them.”
It didn’t take long for Sheila to become a familiar and welcome face in the shop — keeping things running smoothly, chatting with shoppers, and making sure each transaction supports care, comfort, and second chances for animals across our community.
And as if her commitment in the shop wasn’t enough, Sheila took things one step further.
In 2025, she joined our Canine Companion & Dog Walking Team — helping to provide enrichment, exercise, and love to the dogs in our care. Now, whether she’s organizing shelves or walking shelter pups, Sheila is making an impact from every corner of the HBSPCA.
Sheila proves that you don’t have to choose between roles — and when it comes to helping animals, there’s always room to do more.
There’s a Role for Everyone — What’s Yours?
The HBSPCA thrives thanks to volunteers like Sheila — people who give their time, skills, and heart to support animals in need. Whether you love retail, prefer quiet admin tasks, enjoy walking dogs, or want to help out at events, we have a place for you.
Our Pet Thrift Shop runs 6 days a week and always needs friendly faces to help with customer service, merchandising, donations, and more.
Interested in getting involved? Learn about all our volunteer opportunities!
sign up today
Every hour you give makes a real difference — for the animals who count on us, and for the community that supports them.
