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Tuesday Feb 14 2012 |
February Volunteer Of The Month
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Monday Jan 16 2012 |
January Volunteer of the Month
David works in many capacities to care for our shelter dogs and to help each of them find the perfect forever home. He volunteers weekly on the Adopt-A-Pet Show as well as helping out for appearances on KTLA, showing television viewers in Burbank and all of Los Angeles the wonderful animals waiting for them. In addition, he regularly participates in Happy Tails Hikes, giving the public another look at some available dogs as well as giving the dogs and volunteers some well-deserved fresh air and sunshine. But David isn’t just in it for the glitz of the television cameras. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty with less glamorous tasks like cleaning up, carrying heavy loads and just being available wherever he’s needed. Through it all, he keeps a sharp sense of humor, sometimes aimed at the VBAS president, but always in the spirit of good fun. It’s this combination of enthusiasm, adaptability and wit that makes David Freedman the Volunteer of the Month for January 2012. |
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Wednesday Dec 14 2011 |
December Volunteer Of The Month
Basia has only been in the LA area for about 2 years, but has made her presence known in our world of animals. She is the Audio/Visual Manager for the LA area PETA and has been a volunteer with VBAS now for 10 months. She uses her ingenuity and talent for video production to give our shelter animals a personal identity, which has proven to increase their chances of adoption. Whether it is producing video/music montages for our shelter animals to be shown on the website or actually traveling to foster kitten homes to make sure the uniqueness of these special, hard to place little ones is captured on film, Basia is always willing to do what it takes. Sometimes that involves reshoot after reshoot till she is satisfied. Basia infuses just the right amount of humor and personality into her films and truly gives these animals the ability to tug at the heart strings of prospective adopters. We are blessed to have Basia as a member of our VBAS team and if I can speak for the animals, they are the true beneficiary of this wonderful person – Basia Lew, Volunteer of the Month for December, 2011. |
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Saturday Nov 12 2011 |
November Volunteers of the Month
On the first and third Sundays of every month a group of dedicated VBASers head to Stough Canyon in Burbank for a Happy Tails Hike. Several lucky shelter dogs get the opportunity to enjoy some exercise and new scenery, meet potential adopters, and have an experience that is a world away from the shelter environment. The hikes are a perfect opportunity for a “mental health day” for both the dogs and the volunteers who come along. To learn more about the Happy Tails Hikes, email Erik (erik@thevbas.org). |
Volunteers Take a Hike! |
Monday Sep 19 2011 |
September Volunteer of the Month
I am proud to announce that our volunteer for the month of September is Chris DeZorzi. Chris began his volunteer service with us after a VBAS visit to the Dreamworks Animation campus where he works. Since then, he has truly been a “dream come true” for VBAS and more importantly, for the cats. Chris is one of our valued cat volunteers who has truly done it all. He began by learning the ropes in the cat room as an adoption counselor on weekends. He exhibits such a loving manner and style with potential adopters that all he has to do is show them the precious little faces and the deal is sealed! As time passed, Chris expanded this devoted, caring style to socializing the more timid kittens and feeding them prior to being picked up and placed in foster care. Chris, however, has not rested on his laurels. He seems energized by the more he does. He began fostering kittens himself and has successfully raised a litter and adopted them out. He stepped up to the plate one evening when a litter of tiny bottle-feeders arrived at the shelter at 6pm. He not only assisted in the medical room to check and stabilize these small, sickly kittens, but took all four of them home for their first night. I can’t imagine them being in better hands. Chris has also used his influence with Dreamworks to have two much needed computers donated to VBAS and is helping the VBAS Treasurer with the bookkeeping! I can only say that if all volunteers had his level of commitment, energy, and compassion we would have a bunch of empty cages in the back right now. Please join me in thanking Chris for his wonderful contributions to our shelter and to the animals that so much depend upon us. |
A Dream Come True!|
Friday Aug 19 2011 |
August Volunteer of the Month
Of all the fun one could be having in August—a popular vacation month that conjures images of boogie-boarding, picnics and general frivolity—you have to admire the dedication of a volunteer like Merayda Flores. Instead of hanging at the beach or lounging about in her free moments, Merayda gives up her would-be leisure time to make a different at the VBAS. Merayda serves a pivotal support role on the medical team. She immerses herself in making certain that all shelter animals receive proper care, even a chihuahua with an attitude who reportedly would have devoured the entire medical staff if Merayda hadn’t come to the rescue! She works with Dr. Howe and Jeanette to ensure that each furry friend is as healthy as possible, and we all know, the work of the medical team is as crucial as it is abundant. What’s even more impressive than Merayda’s courage to go up against perturbed chihuahuas, is her talent (and love) for “hissy” kitties. She has that gentle, loving touch and a smile on her face that apparently even grumpy animals are no match for! If you see this quintessential volunteer this Summer, you’re not likely to find her floating on the surface of a sparkling blue pool or lazily swaying in a hammock. You’re more likely to see lovely Merayda nurturing her foster kittens or in the trenches with the medical team, comforting the shelter’s toughest and most distrusting patients, so they might feel better, be healthier, live happier and, with any luck, find a forever home. Thank you, Merayda! |
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Monday Jul 18 2011 |
July Volunteer of the Month
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Why is Lindsay Neumann such a “treat” to have as a volunteer of the VBAS? Combine two parts cheer, one part fun, add a dash of enthusiasm, and now mix in a heap of sweetness… We couldn’t cook up a better work-ethic if we tried! That’s why this sunny month of July, we must take a moment to honor a volunteer who radiates warmth and happiness day in and day out. When she’s working in the cat room on Saturdays, she takes a lot of time to help animals find forever homes and customers can’t resist her welcoming smile. She’s not just a lovely face, Lindsay knows a great deal about pet care, and serves up her wisdom to help educate the public. Soon she’ll be dishing up lessons to fellow volunteers as a Level 2 cat trainer. Whenever Lindsay’s at the shelter, she pours her heart into every taskbig or small. She spoils the cats lavishing them with attention and they eat it up! Lindsay’s great attitude reminds us to savor the good in those we meet, in both people and animals alike. When it comes to the perfect balance of hard work and joy, Lindsay demonstrates the recipe for success!|
Wednesday Jun 15 2011 |
June Volunteer of the Month
Off camera, Michelle assists with photographing the dogs and cats for the VBAS website and has been the one to take the initiative to start keeping a database of the animals shown on television. Michelle keeps a log of all animals that appear on both the Adopt a Pet Show and KTLA so that we can refer back and see who’s been adopted! What’s most extraordinary about Michelle is her humility and drive to do all she can in support of the work of the VBAS, even if it calls for less glamorous tasks. Michelle has worked information tables at many community events, and was part of the team that stuffed the gift bags for 100 Dog Days of Summer. She even enlisted her young daughter to help out. Michelle is beautiful inside and out. We honor her achievements and hard work because it would be impossible for it to all go unrecognized. When it comes to outstanding volunteers, Michelle is truly the star of the show! |
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Friday May 20 2011 |
May Volunteer of the Month
It’s not easy being a mom, especially when your charges are kittens. Working as a foster parent since 2009 in the VBAS’s Kitten Foster Program, Elaine Miyake has mothered the weak, the shy, the malnourished, the downtrodden, and the downright feisty. Elaine can be counted on time after time to find an inexplicable way into each tiny little kitten heart in an effort to bring out their true potential. Elaine is known for her extraordinary ability to find the perfect, forever home for each of her foster kittens. Just like many great moms, she makes it look easy! When Elaine isn’t looking after a litter of fuzzy felines, she can be found cleaning the cattery and helping out at the KFP adoption fairs on weekends. She became a full-fledged VBAS volunteer in 2010 and has been a major asset to our animals. In addition to her maternal spirit, she brings a “can-do” attitude to the team. Elaine also holds the official title of Medical Records Coordinator for the KFP. Unofficially, she is a go-to person for many of her fellow volunteers, and is always willing to lend a hand or offer some wisdom. And we all know that Mom knows best! Elaine works hard caring for her kittens hands-on and thinks beyond the present by pushing to obtain grant funding to help them further. Like all moms, she wants to ensure bright futures for her little ones. |
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Monday Apr 18 2011 |
April is National Volunteer Month
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