Animal protection drives in Noord-Holland Noord: “Extra hands are always welcome”

“It’s going well,” says Adrey Claesen of the Animal Protection. The animal ambulances are ready for departure at the building in Alkmaar. “We really enjoy doing it and it is of course very important that as many animals as possible are helped. We work with a very nice group of volunteers and extra volunteers are certainly welcome.”

Irene Roeleveld is one of those volunteers. She has been driving through the region for 4.5 years. “We’re going to check the car first, whether everything is there,” she says as she opens the cupboards and drawers in the ambulances. When everything is ready, the engine is started and she makes contact with the control panel. He already has a list of addresses ready with reports of animals in distress. “The first report is in Limmen. An injured oystercatcher.”

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Roeleveld is not the only one going out this morning. Her colleagues started the day in a second animal ambulance. They drive towards the northern part of the area. “I really enjoy this work. Not only because you help animals, but also because you deal with people,” says Irene Roeleveld. “All emotions come up, animal and human are connected.”

At an address in Alkmaar a little great tit is picked up that is in bad shape. “He still has strength in his legs,” says Roeleveld, who lets him grab her finger. “We’re taking him to the shelter.” The message that follows proves that the work not only produces endearing moments. A goose with bird flu is found in a nature reserve near Oudorp. The animal is defeated.

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“Protocols apply for this,” says Roeleveld, who meanwhile puts on a special, white, suit and a mouth cap. “Boas made the report and then we thought it was an oil-smeared animal. But this is clearly bird flu. We are going to transport the goose to the vet and there it will be euthanized.”

“We therefore need volunteers who stand firm in their shoes,” explains Audrey Claesen. “A volunteer who naturally loves animals. And who knows what he or she is doing and who can handle the occasional sad thing.” Irene Roelveld can confirm this, but also sees the beautiful sides of the profession: “I usually go home with satisfaction. When you unite people with a missing pet or rescue a bird from a plight, people are often very grateful to you. .”