HELPING GOLDEN RETRIEVERS FIND THEIR FOREVER HOMES

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Jane Krom. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Jane Krom always loved animals, but it took a dire situation for her to realize she wanted to take action. Back in 2010, Jane was reading the newspaper when she discovered that 70 golden retrievers had been rescued from an overbreeding situation where she and her husband had gotten their beloved pup, Casey. Realizing that the dogs in danger could be Casey’s parents, Jane was horrified. Inspired to make a difference, Jane started volunteering at Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education, and Training, Inc., a volunteer rescue group that takes in golden retrievers from shelters, animal control facilities, or owners who can no longer care for their dog. At that time, Jane never could have expected how much her role would grow.

In the last 15 years with SEVA GRREAT, Jane has tackled almost every role in the book, from President and Fundraising Lead to her current role as Foster Coordinator. In this role, Jane approaches the complex task of matching dogs to the right homes, ensuring they end up in places where they’ll thrive. While her role is one with many responsibilities, it also requires tremendous multitasking ability, as the organization cares for 50 animals at a time. From transporting the dogs out of dangerous situations to their foster homes and eventually to their forever homes, Jane is the reliable face that each pup can lean on when they’re facing instability.

Jane has also bolstered the organization as a whole, doubling the number of foster homes that are available for needy pups. Whether she’s removing dogs from a hoarding situation in South Carolina or from Turkey after the 2023 earthquake, her ability to handle difficult situations is an asset to the group. As a mentor to other volunteers, she serves as a guiding light for anyone hoping to serve as a champion for animal rights. Giving 80 hours per month to SEVA GRREAT, Jane has helped the organization welcome more than 1,410 dogs, including 81 so far this year. Her volunteer work in the field of animal rights and rescue can serve as a template for anyone inspired to make a difference, no matter the cause.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative? 

 It started after something I read in the newspaper. Back in 2010, the rescue group Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue was involved in rescuing 70 golden retrievers at once from an overbreeding situation, and that got me. I think partially because I’ve just always loved golden retrievers, but I had actually gotten the golden retriever from that place six years prior. Everything seemed fine. I never suspected that there would be any issue. When I saw that, it just got me going.

What inspires you to volunteer? 

I’m a nurse by background, so I think I’m naturally an empathetic and caring person. My husband and I didn’t have kids, so the dogs are basically our children who have been in our lives over the years. It’s something that I enjoy, and it keeps me busy.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education, and Training, Inc.

 I’m what’s called the Foster Coordinator. I’m responsible for when we get a request to bring in a new dog and find it a foster home, and then oversee their veterinary care while they’re in the rescue and getting ready for adoption. Right now, we have over 50 in our care, so it’s a lot to keep track of. I’m very involved in helping physically bring them in once they’re coming to a foster home. They need to be picked up and transported to that home, and oftentimes I’m one of the ones who actually picks up the dog and gets them to their foster home. It helps me get to know them a little bit and establish a relationship with the foster homes.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? 

Continuing to move us forward and keeping us able to provide care for the dogs. I feel like it’s getting harder and harder to find volunteers, particularly ones who will be on the board and take on the major roles. There are a lot of people that want to help in many ways, but actually taking on a board responsibility is a bigger ask because there’s much more day-to-day involvement. Recruiting and making sure we keep building our team. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been in existence for 35 years, which is a long time for a volunteer organization.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

That has to be just the dogs. Seeing them get better and get the care they need, and then making families really happy. The people that adopt the dogs are usually just so unbelievably happy to have a family member, and seeing them get to that point is great.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

 Because there’s such a great need there, and always will be. People seem to be very passionate about things, and they want something to be done, but it doesn’t happen by assuming others will do it. Everybody has to do at least a small part. If we had more people doing a small part, it would make it a lot easier.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

Think about a cause that they feel strongly about or that they think they would enjoy and that has some relevance to them. Just reach out and ask what the needs are, because there’s usually going to be something. If they’re underage, it’s getting the parent on board too to be able tohelp with their volunteer time. But for other adults, it’s just reaching out.

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

 You can make a difference, and no matter what, devoting some time to a cause that’s important to you definitely helps. My role within the organization has grown, and I feel very much appreciated. I’m constantly getting a lot of good feedback for it, which is not what I’m looking for, but people notice. You will definitely make a difference. You don’t necessarily have to be in the spotlight. It’s just doing your part of it.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Jane? Find local volunteer opportunities.