April Volunteer of the Month: Jamie

Jamie came on board the Berkeley Humane volunteer team after the revival of our post-fire volunteer program in 2010. Her commitment has never wavered, and Jamie continues to be a tremendous asset as a Feline Friend at our Adoption Center.

Our Cat Coordinator Cathy Marden says about Jamie, "I know I can count on her to socialize the cats, greet the public, and help out around the adoption center. She is always friendly and outgoing, and is willing to help out with any random task that pops up. Jamie is great with both cats and people! She makes everyone feel welcome in the cat room and enthusiastically engages potential adopters. Jamie's sincere personality is disarming and helps create a calm atmosphere in the cat adoption room."

Jamie shares a bit on her volunteer experience at Berkeley Humane:

"What brought me to Berkeley Humane? It's simple. I love cats. Just ask my husband. I would take them all home if I could. However, having lived in a home with too many cats growing up, I have imposed a strict two-cat limit for our house. The thing is, I have enough love in me for way more than just two cats, so I cherish my time volunteering at the shelter where I can share that love, helping kitties find their humans... and vice versa."

A cat always knows a kindred spirit when they meet one. Jamie seems to know what makes each cat purr almost immediately, can make the shyest cats come out of their shells, and is also a talented match maker for adopters. For Jamie and the kitties at Berkeley Humane, it's a match made in heaven!

Are you feeling inspired by Jamie's experience? If you’re interested in learning about volunteering at Berkeley Humane, click here to find out how!

March Volunteer of the Month: Grizelle and Melany

Grizelle and Melany have been committed Canine Friend volunteers since before many of us can remember. They started volunteering the same month that I was hired on as the Volunteer Coordinator back in April of 2012. Their commitment has never wavered! This mother/daughter team is a dynamic duo that can be relied on to do whatever is needed to care for the dogs at the end of the day on Sundays. As our Canine Coordinator Kris Swanson expressed, “they are a team we can always count on!”

Melany shares a bit on her experience:

“I like to be part of the Berkeley Humane family. All of the staff and volunteers are dedicated and kind people who really look after the well-being of the animals. All dogs are lovely and they like to be hugged and petted; they feel very happy when we go out for walks or when I scratch their backs. It is nice to have the opportunity to care for the animals. They always make me feel good after every visit.”

Volunteers like Melany and Grizelle are vital for the life-saving work we do at Berkeley Humane. We could not do it nearly as well without their help and we are pleased that the experience is just as fulfilling for them. 

Are you feeling inspired by Melany and Grizelle's experience? If you’re interested in learning about volunteering at Berkeley Humane, click here to find out how!

February Volunteer of The Month: Jason

Jason has been a tremendous asset to Berkeley Humane since September of 2012.  Cathy, our Feline Coordinator, recalled, "Jason first asked to attend the Feline Friends training in September of 2012.  He was unable to attend the next 5 scheduled training sessions but his excitement to volunteer never wavered and he came in just to clean for months before he was able to train to work with the cats."  No matter the task, Jason works with joy and enthusiasm.  He is always willing to help in any way.  Cathy also shared that she "once asked him to organize what was then known as the 'junk room'.  Undaunted by the enormous job ahead of him, he set out to work and an hour later the jumbled mess of things was converted into an organized and clean 'foyer'."  Jason continues to help with anything we need but, more importantly, he is the Sunday morning cat whisperer.  He loves the cats, takes excellent care of them, and they love him in return.  He connects with every single cat and gets to know their unique personalities in a flash.   One could argue Jason may even be a cat in a man suit.

Jason expressed his sentiments about his volunteer experience with as much sweetness as he always shows the kitties:   "It is inspiring to be a part of the Berkeley Humane corps of volunteers and staff who so selflessly and kindheartedly provide for these lovely creatures waiting so vulnerably and tenderly to be welcomed into a loving home. It brings great joy to me  knowing that my efforts, however small they may be, are spent in direct service to each dog and cat. Each weekend when I turn to leave, I feel the world is a little lighter and a little better off than before I walked in."

Volunteers like Jason make our work here at Berkeley Humane deeply rewarding.  It is an honor to share in the experience of saving lives with kind, loving people.  Thank you for your hard work and commitment Jason.  We hope to have the honor of working alongside you for many more years.    

Do you want to become a star volunteer like Jason?  Learn about how to become involved with Berkeley Humane by clicking here!

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Irene

On occasion there are volunteers who get to experience the evolution of an organization through many years of committed service.  It is such a treat for those of us who have a relatively short history at Berkeley Humane to gather stories and learn about our past.  Irene offers a window into 26 of the 83 years we have served homeless animals in our community.  

As Nancy Frensley, our long-time Dog Trainer at BHS, explains, "Irene has put in many years of quietly reliable volunteer work in a number of capacities, including fostering neonatal kittens, helping with our long ago rummage sale, walking and training shelter dogs. She is now the training assistant for Puppy Kindergarten classes and brings her quiet, articulate way to communicating with puppy students. She sets up class, keeps track of puppy paperwork, and helps to make Puppy K a great experience for everyone that takes it."

In Irene's words:

"I have been a volunteer for  26 years; fostered kittens for 20 of those years; and have helped out in Nancy Frensley's Puppy K class for 17 years. Seven or eight classes a year; five to ten puppies per class; that's a lot o' puppies! I set up the room, mop up the puddles, and see to it  that owners' questions get passed along to Nancy. I  am also responsible for petting the puppies. Pretty good job!  Nancy is a great teacher, and I have learned a lot from watching her work."

We are so grateful to have Irene's undying support and hope to earn her devotion for many more years. Thank you, Irene, for all you have done to teach puppies (and their guardians) good manners!

Do you want to become a star volunteer like Irene?  Learn about how to become involved with Berkeley Humane by clicking here!

Volunteer Appreciation Series: Linda!

Time for another Volunteer of the Month! Each month, we try to highlight the work of a special volunteer as part of an ongoing effort to give a little bit back to our wonderful cadre of volunteers who give so much to BEBHS’ animals.

July’s Volunteer of the Month, Linda, is a longtime helper—she’s been a Canine Friend year-round “since before anyone can remember!”, according to our volunteer coordinator Cristina. Linda adopted from Berkeley Humane many years ago and we’re so glad she’s continued to come back to our shelter year after year to give her care and love to the animals.

Take it away, Linda!

I have been a supporter of the BEBHS for many years. My current furry companions, a 14 year old dog and a 17 year old cat, were both adopted from BEBHS. My shift as a canine companion is filled with cuddles and canine kisses that always leave me smiling. It is a joy to share some time with the wonderful animals that find their homes via the BEBHS.

We really have to emphasize just how much Linda’s dedication and cheery demeanor have done for our animals’ well-being. Our volunteer coordinator further recommended Linda as a Volunteer of the Month candidate with this note:

"Linda has continued to be one of our most reliable and dedicated volunteers.  Her love and devotion to our temporary dog residents is above par and we are so grateful to know that we can always count on her to be here every Thursday evening.  There are a handful of volunteers I would love to clone and Linda is definitely one of them!" - Cristina

Linda’s special patience and understanding for the dogs at BEBHS really mean the world to the staff and to the animals who she takes the time to work with. We’re so grateful to have Linda as part of our team.

Do you want to become a Canine Friend like Linda? (Or lend a hand however you can?) Learn about how to become a volunteer at BEBHS by clicking here!

Bonded Pairs

Mojo and Blue came to me one day like fallen angels - two solid white brothers with piercing eyes.  Blue had eyes the color of the water in Crater Lake.  Mojo had one blue eye and one golden eye.  They were strikingly beautiful and unique, both in looks and personality.  It was love at first sight! 

Mojo and Blue had been found roaming an empty field together, likely surviving on whatever edible creature they were able to catch amongst the weeds.  They were 5 months old - spunky and full of life.  I had just graduated from college and was living in an apartment that didn't allow pets.  I sat and watched them play in their cage while I considered how I might be able to convince my landlord to let me adopt a cat. When I told the receptionist at the veterinary clinic that I was interested in potentially adopting one of them, she insisted that they could not be separated and that I would have to adopt them both.  I was certainly not prepared to adopt two cats so I left the veterinary office and went home to consider my options.  The instant I walked out of the office I felt as though I was abandoning my babies.  I knew in that moment that I couldn't live without them.  The next day I went back to to get them and that night they slept in bed with me as if they had been there since birth.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life!  

Mojo and Blue were inseparable.  They ejoyed lounging amongst roses together, playing with the trickle of water when I took baths, basking in the sun spot on the carpet, and spooning me like a couple of book ends. When Blue died tragically at a mere three years of age, Mojo paced the house aimlessly and talked as if asking where his brother went.  It wasn't his normal meow, like when he announced his arrival or asked for food.  This was different.  He stopped sleeping with me for a while and would wander through the house like a ghost hunter - anticipating his brother leaping out from behind the curtain or sneaking up behind him.  He would never have another snuggle with his buddy, and they would never again chase each other up and down the stairs of our old house.  We both learned to live without Blue, but we certainly would have preferred to enjoy another 15 years of life with him.

Mojo and Blue had the good fortune of going to a loving home together, though later separated by a premature death.  It is a privilege to be able to honor the bond that animals share by enabling them to live out their lives together.  Bonded pairs are often split up when they are surrendered to shelters because we can't hold an animal back from finding a forever home.  When interested adopters approach the cage of a bonded pair, we hold our breath, cross our fingers, and hope for the best.   

Artemis and Aleister

Finding 3-week old kittens left in a bag is not what an animal lover ever wants to stumble upon.  All the tragedies of life run through your head like a horror film and your faith in humanity is temporarily revoked.  It is the peak of "kitten season" and most shelters are flooded with the unwanted and discarded babies born to unaltered cats and dogs.  Three week old kittens rarely stand a chance at finding a foster home via a shelter because of the complexities of properly caring for them.  Naturally, I grabbed the bag of kittens and made the decision to find someone to care for them until they are old enough to be altered and adopted.  Like I said, it is very difficult to find foster care for underage kittens and so my bathroom has been transformed into a kitten nursery of sorts.  I sure am loving it for someone who never wanted to be a mom!  I feel so deeply gratified when Aleister latches on to the bottle like an Olympiad - his little ears wiggling and eyes rolling back with the deep satisfaction of warm milk filling his hungry belly.  Artemis can't be bothered with a bottle.  She's "a big girl" and wants no help eating.  She sops up her kitten gruel and hardly makes a mess, then walks away with a little kick and a smirk as if saying, "I told you I had this down!"

My faith in humanity is restored every time I walk in to work at BEBHS, because I know that every single person I work with would have probably done the same thing.  A few hours of sleep lost for the sake of saving lives is a small sacrifice.