It's always a pleasure to bring someone new onto the team and and we're taking the time to introduce Ren Shilcock, our new Digital Officer. Here's what they had to say about their love for animals and joining the FOUR PAWS team:

"Ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to work with animals.

As soon as I was old enough I gave up my weekends to my local animal rescue centre to walk dogs and spend time with those that needed a bit more time learning to trust people again.

I knew I wanted to help animals, but I just didn’t know how. I went back to college and studied animal management, whilst I continued volunteering. But it still just didn’t feel right.

I quickly realised that I wasn’t helping to prevent these animals from getting into the state they were in. I wanted to work alongside those actively working to stop people from committing animal cruelty, to be boots on the ground and campaign to improve the animal welfare laws that we have.

I spent 4 years working for an animal welfare organisation, learning all I could about both campaigning and digital marketing, specialising in email communications.  I got to a point where I’d done all I could, but still felt like there was more for me out there to be able to help animals across the world.

When approached by FOUR PAWS, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

The thought of working for an internationally recognised animal welfare organisation that not only rehabilitates animals, but also campaigns, boots on the ground, to make the laws that are supposed to protect the animals we care about better made younger me grin from ear to ear.

I’m now able to combine my knowledge of animal welfare and digital to help create meaningful work that will go on to help animals cross the world. From asking our supporters to email their MP, building e-actions to making sure our website is up-to-date, the role title “Digital Communications Officer” really does encompass almost everything digital!

In the words of Buzz Lightyear: to infinity and beyond. Here’s to this new adventure with FOUR PAWS."