Submitted by the SPCA East Bay:
Hundreds of volunteers, who tirelessly work to improve the lives of homeless animals, are being honored by the East Bay SPCA during National Volunteer Week (April 15-21).
The weeklong celebration pays special tribute to volunteers across the country that give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others.
East Bay SPCA kicked-off National Volunteer Week on April 16 and 17th with an evening celebration and award ceremony at the East Bay SPCA’s two Adoption Centers in Oakland and Dublin.
Fourteen volunteers who donated their time at the Oakland and Dublin Centers were honored for their outstanding work with the East Bay SPCA.
Throughout the week, volunteers can play fun games and enter raffles to win prizes each time they volunteer and the shelters will feature special banners covered with staff thank-you notes.
“National Volunteer Week is the ideal time to pay special tribute to all of our volunteers that dedicate their time, talents and energy to make a difference at our shelters,” said Allison Lindquist, executive director of the East Bay SPCA.
During 2011, Lindquist says more than 800 volunteers donated 63,000 hours of time.
EBSPCA volunteers perform countless acts of service taking on any number of jobs such as dog and cat and socializers, kennel assistants, offsite adoption coordinators, special event helpers, administrative helpers, foster parents and community outreach educators.
“As a private, non-profit organization, we rely on the assistance of caring and hard-working volunteers in all of our programs,” said Dana Bushouse, EBSPCA volunteer manager. “Volunteers serve us not only during their volunteer hours, but also out in the community as our advocates.”
Lindquist says volunteers are a tremendous benefit to the East Bay SPCA, which has just 60 employees but operates two adoption centers, and two spay/neuter centers in Oakland and Dublin, an adoption storefront in Oakland’s City Center, and a full-service veterinary clinic.
In 2011, the East Bay SPCA found loving homes for more than 2,400 animals and spayed/neutered nearly 10,000 dogs, cats and rabbits. “Whether they stuff envelopes, photograph animals, answer phones, play with a cat or take a dog for a walk, we simply could not operate without our volunteers,” said Lindquist.
The Oakland volunteers recognized for their outstanding volunteer work in 2011 are: Bob Meyer and Patsy Shaughnessy- Feline Kennel Assistants; Don Johnson-Feline Caretaker, Feline Enrichment Lead, and Feline Kennel Assistant; Marti Zuckrowv- Adoption Counselor, Behavior and Training Assistant, Canine Companion and Mentor; Genevieve Cottraux- Adoption Counselor, Canine Companion, Class Lead, Feline Caretaker and Mentor; Judy Tyner- Feline Kennel Assistant; Olivia Berden- Adoption Counselor, Feline Caretaker, Feline Kennel Assistant.
The Tri-Valley volunteers recognized for their outstanding volunteer work in 2011 are: Jessie Wong- Class Lead, Feline Caretaker, Feline Kennel Assistant and Mentor; Wendy Peek- Animal Photographer, Behavior and Training Assistant, Canine Companion and Mentor, and Canine Kennel Assistant; Carol Wilson- Behavior and Training Assistant, Canine Companion, Canine Kennel Assistant, Humane Education Assistant; Julie Proctor- Canine Companion, Canine Kennel Assistant and Mentor, Feline Caretaker, Feline Kennel Assistant and Mentor; Susan Myers- Adoption Counselor and Humane Education Assistant; Jeff Benage- Canine Companion and Mentor; Judy Kelly – Feline Caretaker and Mentor, Feline Kennel Assistant and Mentor.
Persons interested in becoming a volunteer at the shelter can find more information at www.eastbayspca.org/volunteer.
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 years may volunteer with a trained parent or guardian.
Sponsored by Points of Light Institute – National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each subsequent year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week.
About East Bay SPCA
The East Bay SPCA (EBSPCA) is a nonprofit organization committed to the welfare of cats and dogs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We strive to eliminate animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing programs and education that support people and companion animals. More information about EBSPCA can be found at www.eastbayspca.org or by calling 510.569.0702.
