Dogs Trust Ballymena volunteer clocks up 1,000 hours helping rescue dogs

Local woman, Ann Lamont, happy volunteering at Dogs Trust Ballymena

A County Antrim woman who promised herself she would one day help rescue dogs after losing her beloved pet has now given more than 1,000 hours of service to homeless hounds at Dogs Trust Ballymena.

Ann Lamont, from near Kells, has become one of the rehoming centre’s most recognisable faces after spending the past two years volunteering in its laundry room — affectionately known by staff and volunteers as “Ann’s Office”.

Her milestone comes as Volunteers’ Week 2026 runs across the UK from June 1 to June 7, celebrating the contribution made by volunteers in communities and charities nationwide.

Dogs Trust Ballymena says Ann is among 30 volunteers who collectively give more than 200 hours of their time every month to support dogs waiting for new homes.

A promise inspired by a much-loved family dog

Ann busy in the Laundry Room at Dogs Trust Ballymena

Everything in order in the Laundry Room at Dogs Trust Ballymena, with help of volunteer Ann Lamont

Ann said her commitment to volunteering stems from the lasting impact of her Golden Retriever, Simon, who died more than 30 years ago aged 15.

She said she always knew that when retirement came, she wanted to give something back by helping rescue dogs.

That decision has since seen her become a key part of the Ballymena centre’s day-to-day operation, helping ensure every dog has clean bedding and a comfortable kennel while awaiting adoption.

Ann’s favourite saying has become well known among staff and volunteers at the centre:

“Every dog, no matter where they’ve come from, deserves a clean bed.”

Speaking about her role, she said:

“It brings a sense of achievement, helping the staff, and you get to know the dogs, and they get to know me.

“The dogs are brought into the laundry room every time they pass, so I can give them a treat. I feel part of the team, not just the volunteer team, but the wider Dogs Trust team, as people know my name, they know what I do, and they appreciate it.”

Keeping the centre running behind the scenes

Volunteeer Ann with team colleague Kirsty at Dogs Trust Ballymena Christmas Fayre 2025

While much of the public-facing attention at animal rescue centres focuses on dog walking and adoptions, Dogs Trust Ballymena says Ann’s work behind the scenes plays a crucial role in keeping the centre operating smoothly.

She spends around 12 hours each week organising bedding, washing blankets, tidying storage areas and making sure dogs arriving at the centre have clean surroundings.

Ann also uses damaged materials that can no longer be reused as bedding to create enrichment toys for the dogs.

She explained:

“I’m an organised person, so I enjoy working in the laundry room. I make sure it is clean and tidy, ensure all the bedding and blankets are washed, the shelves are organised and that every dog has a nice, clean bed.

“I also upcycle any damaged blankets that can no longer be used into toys and snuffle mats, which proves popular with the dogs. I’ve always loved dogs, so helping them while they wait to be adopted is a joy.”

Volunteers contribute hundreds of hours each month

Volunteer Ann at Dogs Trust Ballymena

Dogs Trust Ballymena says volunteers help with a wide range of tasks at the local rehoming centre, including:

• Walking dogs

• Gardening and maintenance

• Cleaning and laundry duties

• Fundraising and events

• Supporting dog enrichment activities

Nationally, the charity says it has more than 3,600 volunteers helping support the care of over 11,000 dogs each year across the UK.

Lisa Towers, Volunteer Coordinator at Dogs Trust Ballymena, praised Ann’s commitment and described her contribution as vital to the running of the centre.

She said:

“Our fabulous team of volunteers are the most amazing, kind, and dedicated people I have ever met. They go above and beyond for the dogs in our care, and it simply wouldn’t be possible to achieve everything we do without them.

“That is certainly the case with Ann, who is an absolute superstar. Ann has dedicated herself to our laundry rooms. She helps train other laundry volunteers, and she is so enthusiastic about a role that is often overlooked and yet is so essential in its importance for the smooth running of the centre.”

Lisa added that Ann has also developed her own sustainability initiative at the centre by repairing salvageable dog toys and repurposing ripped bedding into hand-braided rope toys and snuffle mats instead of sending materials to landfill.

Volunteer Ann crafting at Dogs Trust Ballymena

She said reaching 1,000 volunteer hours was “a fantastic achievement” and thanked Ann for her “wonderful support”.

How to get involved

Dogs Trust says volunteering opportunities are available for people with a wide range of interests and skillsets, from hands-on dog care to practical support roles behind the scenes.

More information about volunteering with Dogs Trust can be found at:

Volunteer with Dogs Trust

The milestone comes as charities and community organisations across Northern Ireland continue to rely heavily on volunteers to support essential local services and activities, with Volunteers’ Week shining a spotlight on the often unseen work carried out every day by people like Ann.