May's Volunteers of the Month

Peter and Michelle

Michelle and Peter

These two volunteers have been making a big splash. It seems like they're always at the shelter. And just look at all the friends they've already made.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

We recently moved to Berkeley from Philadelphia in mid-August, and we thought volunteering at a local animal shelter would be the perfect way to volunteer together, meet people, and feel more at home in our new city.

Peter: I have a family dog back home--a pomeranian named Panda--and I miss her a lot. I signed us up for volunteer orientation because I wanted to spend time with dogs in some way. I hope we can welcome a dog into our home soon.

Michelle: I, on the other hand, have never had a pet and never walked a dog larger than Panda before. I was so nervous about volunteering at first...and I definitely thought I’d stick with the small lap dogs.

Peter: That didn’t last long. One walk and belly rub session with Paco and Michelle was sold.


What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Our favorite activity is just relaxing and playing with the dogs in Aquatic Park. It’s great to see dogs in their element, outside of their kennels. Their personalities can just shine! We have realized that, once the dogs start trusting you as a handler, they can be so eager to show affection and learn new commands. It’s also great when they just want to take a nap on your lap. We recently started taking dogs to BAD RAP class (Peter takes Bernard and Michelle takes Jeannie), and we so appreciate the extra opportunity to build bonds with these dogs so they can get that much closer to finding their forever homes. In addition, we enjoy the company of other volunteers and staff.

Michelle and Jeannie

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Past dogs: Jada (www.facebook.com/ForeverHomeforJada), Dottie, Betty, Latif, Zeta, Bentley, Smithers
Current dogs: Paco (the first pittie we ever walked!), Bernard, Jeannie, Lady Belle, Fergus

Looks like Peter just lost his staring contest with Bernard

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

In our spare time, we enjoy getting to know our new home and state. We like walking around Berkeley and Oakland to visit farmers markets and local stores -- we love how abundant and affordable produce is out here! We enjoy various outdoor activities, and this region offers plenty. We recently spent a long weekend hiking in Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Last fall, we camped in Big Sur. We also love to find good food to eat (suggestions welcomed!)

What a coincidence! Paco loves to find good food to eat, too!

BAD RAP action

Whew, it is getting hot out. Let's see which dogs and handlers are able to beat the heat, and who is wilting.

Brad is clearly not in a working mood.

 

This is a little more like it. Lia and Patches are ready for action. So are Michelle and Jeannie.

Girlie and Addie looking strong in the wedding march.

Peter has Bernard moving right along.

DeAnna and Donner are ready for their turn. But Joey looks to be giving out on Angelika.

BUSTED. Laura finds out the hard way...once Paco finds a cool shady spot, there is no moving him.

Cindy and Lady Belle look motivated. So do Optimus and Courtney.

Sigh...Earth to Brad. Come in please.

April's Volunteers of the Month

Rene and Alex

Rene and her daughter Alex have both been volunteering at BACS for six years! Sounds like they should have received a coffee cup or a wristwatch by now. Thanks for all your hard work. We hope you have many more years at BACS.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I retired from the US Postal Service in 2005 where I was a computer programmer/analyst and

database administrator.

Since then I have been volunteering at Thousand Oaks School and King Middle School, with Girl Scouts and at the YEAH (Youth Engagement, Advocacy and Housing) shelter. I am the treasurer for the newly formed FOBACS (Friends of BACS).

My 13 year old daughter Alex and I have been volunteers at BACS for 6 years and have taught the cat care class for 2 years.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

When our Brownie girl scout troop visited the shelter they all wanted to volunteer. At the time they were too young, but as soon as Alex was 8 we started volunteering. I thought it would be a good idea for her to help others. Alex and I are both concerned with animal rights and we could see first hand how homeless animals live and how important it is to help them.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Seeing an animal find a forever home, especially if they have been there for a while.

It is very fulfilling to see an excited child go home with their new animal.

It is also great to make new friends with other volunteers and staff, knowing we all have

something in common, helping homeless animals find new homes.

Who are your favorite cats, past and present?

Past:  Mischou, Yoshi, Daicee, Malone, Josie, Ezra, Arizona and others

Present: Dean Martin (Marty), Christy, Frank Sinatra (Franky) all 3 adopted from BACS pictured with Alex and me.

March's Volunteer of the Month

Ashley

We're heading back to the cat room this month to meet another of the devoted feline friends. Thanks for all your hard work at the shelter Ashley!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I work at a local loudspeaker manufacturing company designing sound systems for a variety of spaces. When not at work, I volunteer at BACS as well as a nearby kitten nursery. You can also find me hiking on nearby trails or flying kites at the Berkeley Marina. I also teach the cat class once a month.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I moved from New York City to Berkley a year ago and wanted to find a way to give back to the community. Both of my amazing cats (Abby and Jasper) were adopted from shelters in New York. I love animals and wanted to help as many as I can. From the minute I walked in to the shelter I could tell it was different from others that I had been to. The staff really love helping animals and made me feel that this was the place for me.

Also, I didn't know anyone when I moved to California so it was a nice way to meet others like me. I have met some incredible people while volunteering and it has become a steady highlight to my busy week.


What are your favorite things about volunteering?

One of my favorite things is watching the cats transform. I seem to have a knack for getting the shy ones to come out of their shell. It is so fulfilling to watch a timid cat that hid all of the time find the perfect home for them. I also love when adopters send photos or give updates of how their new pet is doing. Its always rewarding when a cat finds just the right home for them.

Who are your favorite cats, past and present?

Past: Bebe (below), Annette, Oprah, Liam, and Thaddapus
Present: Waffles, Mike, Rama, Lulu

Time for a BAD RAP class check in

Let's see who is looking good at class...

Nicole has Lali in a pretty good "down", but Lali needs to have a look at Angelika and Bagel's perfect form. But it was only Lali's second class!



Joanne and Ariel are ready for action.



Who is our class valedictorian? It would have to be Humphrey and Shelley. Look at Humphrey's "stay". He's an eye contact machine.



Spuds can be easily distracted, but Caroline has managed to get his attention.



Lisa shows Flora how to take life easy.



David has started working with Breeze. This young pup has a lot of potential!



Jessica keeps Persephone in line.



Cindy and LadyBelle start a "down" competition with DeAnna and Petunia. Hard to tell who is going to win this one! Great to see BACS alumni Howard in the background. He is at class with his adopters nearly every week.



Great to see these dogs out brushing up on their basics. Spectators welcome!

February's Volunteer of the Month

Pat

Pat already has my dream job - retiree! She doesn't seem to be taking life easy though. We're lucky she has time for the shelter, with all of these non-dog activities she's involved in.

Thanks for being such a great volunteer Pat!

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

As a long-time Berkeley resident, about two years ago I was thrilled to discover there is such a thriving volunteer program at the animal shelter. How could I have missed hearing about it? I signed up right away, for I knew I could join the group and provide much needed exercise and attention to the dogs, as well as get my "dog fix." I miss having a dog. I still have very fond memories of Cocoa, the shelter dog who grew up with our children, and of the family dog when I was a child. But now we have no family dog at home, only "grand dogs" and neighbor dogs – not enough. Plus, we are out of town so often that it doesn't seem right to have a dog right now.

I also knew BACS would be a great place to volunteer when I learned about the shelter's success rate in finding homes for the animals, especially since it is a city-operated shelter that has to take in all animals that come to it.

Pat and Lady Belle



What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Some of my friends have asked me how could I want to volunteer in an animal shelter. It must be such a depressing place, such a heartbreaking experience, they say. But I tell them how much I like the experience: I love working with the dogs that arrive at the shelter and seeing the positive changes as the dogs evolve. So many of them are frightened, overwhelmed, under-nourished, and poorly socialized. Thanks to the caring and expert work of the staff and volunteers, almost all of the dogs become adoptable and find homes or are adopted by our rescue partners. I love being a part of that process and seeing those successes.

I also appreciate that the staff and volunteers are so friendly and helpful – and have a sense of humor.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Currently: Latif, Bettina, Simone, Bernie, Monty, Marty

Latif



Past: Raven; Sade, Zack and their brother (what transformations!), "The Berries" (there were four of them, Blue Berry, Straw Berry, etc.), Claudia, Godiva, Cola and Oreo (loved their January blog; so happy they're now in foster homes)

Sade



What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

- Retired!
- Family (husband, children and grandchildren)
- Former board member or current supporter of several community organizations, including Crisis Support Services, Luna Kids Dance, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Rep, city and neighborhood earthquake preparedness groups
- Travel, foreign and domestic, including Berkeley's amazing Berkeley Tuolumne Camp, our family's tradition for four decades.
- Current member of the board of trustees for Oberlin College and Crounse Corporation, a privatie company based in Paducah, KY, my hometown.

Pat with Latif and Zack