Volunteer of the Month - Animal Defense League

Volunteer

September's Volunteer of the Month is Caitlyn Denham
I’ve been volunteering at the ADL for a few years now, but wasn’t able to really jump in until this summer. I have always been a huge animal lover and my friends and family have dubbed me as a future cat lady. I spend most of my time in the Cattery socializing with the furry babies who I have gotten to know so well this summer. There is nothing most satisfying to me then spending time with these amazing animals and watching as they find their forever homes. I adopted my cat, Little Bit (who is in the picture), from ADL back in 2000 and he is my baby and I love him so much! I couldn’t ask for a better place to volunteer than the ADL. Everyone is so kind and so passionate here and I think that’s the most important thing for any organization. Thank you ADL for helping find these amazing dogs and cats homes!

The Volunteer for the Month of August is Gretchen Powers!

The Volunteer for the Month of July is Debra Oates!

June's Volunteer of the Month is Jeanie Davis
I know there are other volunteers who put in a lot more hours than I have. Perhaps it was my high profile around the front office (get it..high
profile..step ladder). Any way...I am most honored. The reason I love making sure you guys look good is because of a little something you did for us about 9 years ago. Ginger's picture is attached. She has brought more joy to our lives than we can say. The work I do for A.D.L. is my way of saying thanks. We are probably better served to put her picture in than mine. She's a lot cuter than I have ever been or will be.
The Volunteer of the Month of May is Gail Carnal!

April's Volunteer of the Month is Todd Scofield
I've been volunteering at ADL since September 2009. How time flies when we are having fun! Everyone here is so kind and big hearted; the dogs and cats are just frosting on the cake.
I'm a true Lab lover. This is Candy; she was rescued, and thanks to the people at ADL, she is on her way to her forever home! Dixie, Shammie and Goldie are all yellow labs I have shared my home with over the years. All of them were so loveable and loyal.
The animals at the ADL truly need a helping hand. Most of them don't know why they are here; they did nothing wrong. So let's all do the right thing and volunteer at the Animal Defense League. Let the dogs and cats know there are many kind people in the world!

The Volunteer for the Month of March is Dot Crüm!

February's Volunteer of the Month is Erin Osterholt
I have lived in San Antonio since February 2007. In August of 2007, our Beagle of 14 years passed away. The house was so empty without her. I knew we would eventually get another dog or two, but the timing just wasn't quite right. I had heard about the Animal Defense League when the company I work for did a fundraiser for them. Realizing there was definitely a need for volunteers, I finally got brave enough to come out for Volunteer Orientation in November of that year. I have been a volunteer ever since! Of course, shortly after my orientation class, we adopted two dogs, Wilma and Frieda, a pair of corgi/basset mixes. They are such a treat! I really enjoy spending time, not only with my own dogs, but with the dogs at the shelter. Every dog has such a unique personality. I try to focus on those that are shy. I look forward to when I can volunteer more of my time to the shelter.

The Volunteer of the Month for January is Elaine Graveley
I have always been an animal lover and owner and since moving to San Antonio have adopted rescued dogs. Another ADL volunteer who was also a neighbor knew of my fondness for animals and introduced me to volunteering at the ADL. My volunteer orientation was about 4 ½ years ago and I am still volunteering. I began by walking dogs and after about six months was asked if I wanted to volunteer in the Adoption Office. My first impression of my volunteer days was the care given to the animals and the dedication of the kennel staff. When I changed to volunteer in the Front Office I found the same care and concern for the animals and a staff commitment that often seemed to go beyond ‘the call of duty.’ The ADL kennel staff work so hard to keep the animals healthy and fit; the office staff so committed to finding the best fit for an animal with a potential adopter that it was motivating for me to volunteer even more hours. It is a joy to work with these people.
I would recommend anyone who has a love of animals and a few extra hours a week to come to the ADL and volunteer. You will not be disappointed.

December's Volunteer of the Month is Butch McClain
My background with animals extends as far back as I can remember where I grew up on a cattle farm in Georgia. In addition to the herd of cattle, we had many other animals including dogs, cats, and even two pet squirrels named Sissy and Sam. It was in the Air Force while stationed in England that I met my two best friends, Courtney and Arby, who were Welsh terriers. They traveled with me all over the world, and we probably logged over 6,000 miles of walks during their lifetime. It was actually on one of those walks about 11 years ago that Katie, a small stray cat, decided to join our family. After feeding her an entire can of tuna fish in the empty lot next door, she found her new home and we were soon with several kittens. We now have Miss Jag and our Katie Bug. We have a joke around our house that we have sucker written across our foreheads that only animals can read. We seem to be the yard that they all come to when the animals in the neighborhood get loose. While we now have only the two that actually live in the house, we have three feral cats, Muffin, Rachel, and Shadow; Smokey, Bandit, and Rocky, three raccoons who visit daily; Opee, the opossum; Seemore, the cross-eyed Siamese that lives in the cul de sac; Jag’s three gold fish, Goldie Locks, Goldie Hawn, and Golda Mier; and we can’t forget our two baby hawks who grew up in our backyard last year, Kitty Hawk and Chicken Hawk. With our many friends, you can see why volunteering to help animals comes naturally.

The Volunteer of the Month for November is Nancy Rogers
Animals have always been vital in my life. As an only child, our dog, Mike, was my sibling and best friend. He was the one I told my secrets to and the warm presence in my bed who kept at bay those monsters that lurked in my dark closet. He was a cherished member of our family for seventeen years; he taught me all there is to know about the animal-human bond.
As adults, my husband and I have had dogs cats, fish, and parrots sharing our home with our children. Nine years ago, we traveled from Philadelphia to San Antonio in a rented RV with two parakeets, a cockatiel, a Moluccan cockatoo, an African grey parrot, and a ten year old pot-bellied pig named Troubles. Needless to say, we attracted some attention in the campgrounds where we stopped for the night. Troubles has gone to his reward now, but during the next four years he enjoyed air conditioning on hot summer days and the warm Texas sun in moderate weather.
In San Antonio, I became aware of the Animal Defense League from local television coverage, especially the Friday morning segment that appeared on channel 4 right before the Today Show. I decided that when I retired, I would volunteer to foster rescued animals and help out with whatever might be needed at the shelter. So when I finally decided to stop working last February, Animal Defense League was the first place I investigated. It has greatly enriched our lives.
I find that whenever I come to the shelter to walk dogs, work in the office, or foster kittens, I leave feeling wonderful. The staff and other volunteers are dedicated, positive people who give so generously to helpless, homeless, and sometimes abused animals. My husband and I have had the pleasure of watching tiny helpless kittens develop into happy, confident young cats. Of course we become very invested in these babies and it’s hard to bring them back to be adopted. However, adult cats and our birds are not meant to live in close, peaceful proximity and I have great faith in the adoption process at ADL and the counselors who handle adoptions. I am confident that our babies will live the rest of their lives in loving, forever homes
I am grateful for all the support I have been given as an ADL volunteer. It is gratifying and a true privilege to work with this very special organization. Thank you for all the good you do in our community!

July's Volunteer of the Month is Faye Williamson

Faye is one of our multi-talented volunteers. From cleaning kennels to fostering kitties, Faye does it all!

Faye has been with the ADL since 2006. During that time, she has fostered about 100 kittens, including bottle babies. When she isn't home taking care of fur babies, she's out at the ADL walking dogs and cuddling kitties. For most volunteers, that would be plenty, but Faye likes to help out, so you can sometimes find her in the hospital area cleaning kennels, scooping poop and helping with the laundry. She also enjoys helping in the cattery. Faye's recognition is long overdue! Thank you, Faye!

The Volunteer for the Month of June is Gail Carnal!

May's Volunteer of the Month is Ellen Rodriguez

Volunteering at ADL with friendly employees and other great volunteers, plus my love for animals has been time very well spent.

The Volunteer for the Month of April is Donna Fujimoto

I started volunteering in October of 2008, helping at an off-site adoption event. It was there that I fell in love with a husky from ADL named Moonshadow. She was the first of many dogs that even after being adopted, has a special place in my heart. And that list grows with each new dog that I work with, like Sammy, seen with me in the photo.

My favorite part of volunteering is walking the dogs, especially the shy ones or the ones that need some special attention. I've also put my van to good use by helping with the transporting of dogs and puppies to off-site adoptions.

Some weekends we make it a family event and my daughter and son come with me. I recommend to anyone that loves cats or dogs to come out and volunteer at ADL. I do have to warn you that it is addicting, but what a wonderful addiction to have! And you might end up falling in love and bringing home one of those lovable, furry friends! It didn't take me long to find a new addition to our family. On December 5th, we adopted Dexter, a lab/pointer, to come and join our pack of three Siberian huskies.

The Volunteer of the Month of March is Judith Vallery

I originally started volunteering to walk dogs so I could pick one out to keep, but soon discovered that I liked them all. Later I worked the front desk regularly on Saturdays. There, I got to know Genia and we shared a love of photography. So now I have my ideal volunteer job, helping take and edit animal photos for the website!

February's Volunteer of the Month is Elaine Costello

I have been at ADL as a volunteer for about five and a half years. I have always been a part of the puppy room, helped on the yearly fundraiser, walked some of the dogs and done some gardening to beautify the grounds. My greatest love is being with the puppies. I love working with them (shy or aggressive), as they need the most attention, though I do have a special place in my heart for some of those I especially bond with. I have also enjoyed working with Mark, who is in charge of the Puppy Room. We have always worked well together and he does a great job with what has to be done in and for the animals. My husband, Rich, and I have had many animals during our 44 years of marriage (a black lab, two border collies, a poodle, a mixed breed, a Lhasa Apso mix from ADL and Annie, also from ADL and shown in the photo. So you can see we have a love for animals. I hope to be a part of ADL for many years to come!

The Volunteer of the Month of January is Teresa Collier

I started volunteering at the ADL in September of 2006. Most of my volunteer time since then has been spent at the Thrift Shop. Volunteering at the Thrift Shop is a lot of fun. I enjoy interacting with the customers, sorting through and cleaning the donations and getting them ready to sell plus working with the other wonderful volunteers. It is also very rewarding to see, on a regular basis, all the money we are raising to help our furry friends.

December's Volunteer of the Month is Jeanie Davis

Jeanie Davis

I'm sure there are many other volunteers that put a lot more hours in than I do. I appreciate your choice but will not be offended if you rethink it.
If I can't change your mind...
My husband introduced me to A.D.L. about ten years ago when our marriage brought me to San Antonio. I have always wanted to do more than I do for you. Over the years I have managed to attend a few events both on and off-site. My favorite "fix-up" day at A.D.L. was the one where our dog, Ginger adopted us. It was also my pleasure to produce a multi-purpose banner for the mobile unit. Most recently I got to help spruce up 2 offices at A.D.L...after all, you deserve a pleasant environment in which to work.

On behalf of all the furry feet that come and go through your doors, we thank you!

The Volunteer for the Month of November is Steven Gengenbacher

Steven Gengenbacher

I don't even remember when I first started volunteering for ADL, it now seems a lifetime ago - and if it wasn't a lifetime, it should have been.

Even if it were only months ago, I still wouldn't know what to do without both my two-legged and much furrier and four-legged friends there. This place really got under my skin...very quick-like.

Sometimes, on those days that I have the opportunity to volunteer, I wake up tired and I'm really tempted to just roll over and go back to sleep. But as soon as I roll over, there they are...those eyes. And who could resist those eyes??? What's really amazing is that I'm supposed to be taking care of them but, in truth, my four-footed furry friends wind up giving so much more back to me. Did I mention those eyes? It doesn't really matter - dog or cat. One look, and I understood that, more than it is our responsibility to care for them (and it is), actually I am privileged that they trust me to love them.

What a gift! I am grateful.

A tremendous thanks is also due to Laura, the welcoming and enthusiastic volunteer coordinator for ADL, who works tirelessly to make these opportunities available to all of us.

So what are you waiting for? Get on over here!

October's Volunteer of the Month is Cathy Herpich

cathy.herpich

I became an ADL volunteer on July 12, 2008. As with all volunteers, I joined because I enjoy working with animals, having even adopted a cat from ADL myself. During my first week, it became apparent to me that the best way to support the care of the animals was to support the efforts of the hard-working staff. During orientation, Mike Hood said "ADL is all about the animals", and he was right. Whether I'm filing paperwork for Andrea at the Animal Care Center, cuddling cats, cleaning for Linda in the cattery or helping Laura handle animals at mobile adoptions - the focus is on animal care. These opportunities opened my eyes to the number of homeless, neglected and abused animals in our city. I can only encourage more residents to support ADL in any possible way. All you have to do is look into the eyes of a rescued animal to know that you can make a difference!

September's Volunteer of the Month is Valerie Luebke

Valerie Luebke

I started volunteering in September of 2002. I worked at the Front Desk and then at the Hospital cleaning and answering phones. I assumed management of the Thrift Shoppe when it opened, two weeks before Christmas in 2005. I'm still cleaning!

I really enjoy working with all the great people at ADL, sharing our love of animals. Now at the Thrift Shoppe, most of the customers come to us because of their love of animals!