2020 Multnomah County Volunteer Award Honorees
Congratulations to our 2020 Multnomah County Volunteer Award Honorees from Animal Services. Volunteers Bonnie H., Laura H, Dawn P., and Cas S. were honored by Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson during a virtual ceremony held by the Office of Community Involvement.
Bonnie H.
Bonnie is an incredibly reliable volunteer serving in an especially integral role in the shelter. Bonnie typically spends 2-3 four hour shifts volunteering on our surgery team each week in addition to fostering and participating in outreach events like parades.
Laura H.
Laura volunteers her skills as a photographer to promote dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals for adoption. Some dogs don't present well in their kennels- they may jump, bark, or even snarl due to the stress of being behind a barrier next to a stranger, or in response to the energy in the kennels. Laura helps each dog put their best paw forward by capturing their smiles and playful natures outside, providing an important perspective and a redeeming first impression for adopters about what these dogs are like outside of the kennel.
Dawn P.
Anyone who has ever tried to take a photo of a cat knows that it's not a task for the faint of heart. They avoid eye-contact with the camera, or their eyes dilate and they cower if they're fearful or unsure about what you're doing. Such is the state of many of the mandatory photos of cats during intake at the shelter, when they've just arrived, and don't know what to think. Dawn is a professional photographer, and her ability to capture the best side of cats helps potential adopters to see them in the best light, after they've had some time to settle and get comfortable in the shelter. Her videos also showcase the personality and interactions of each cat, and can be important resources that make all the difference for a cat to find an adoptive home.
Cas S.
Cas started volunteering as part of a child/parent team at the age of 15. Now they've been volunteering for 4 years. Starting with 2 shifts in the cattery each week and moving up to 4 shifts per week serving with the Kitten Triage program, Cas has literally helped care for hundreds of animals. Their family also fosters kittens, dogs, guinea pigs, sick cats, and rabbits!
