paws-chicago-magazine-2011-winter

‘In the ten plus years I have been volunteering with PAWS, I haveseen the organization grow from a few hundred adoptions a year,to now several thousand. PAWS has raised awareness of the need to adopt first,promoted spay and neuter, educated people on animal welfare, and moved this citytoward No Kill by changing peoples attitudes and perceptions about shelter animals.PAWS is the link between the homeless animals and the homes that need them, and Iwant to do my part to help.‘Manu PuriAdoption Counselor, LocationManager and Special Events VolunteerTopher ClarkeAdoption Counselor andDog Town Level 3 Volunteer‘I volunteer at PAWS because I believeit’s the best place in the Chicagoarea for finding dogs and cats foreverhomes. What really hooked me wasthe No Kill philosophy. The firsttime I saw the banner over theAdoption Center that read, “It’sGreat to be Alive!” I knew itwas a good place to be; bothfor humans and animals. Thegratitude, warmth and appreciation Ireceive every single time I walk in thedoor is incredibly rewarding, but lookingat those brown eyes looking at methrough the suite doors, tails waggingand smiles on their faces; what elsecould be better than knowing you aremaking that precious life better simplyby volunteering. It’s about caringenough to open your heart, your homeand your life to be a part of somethingbigger and better. Volunteering atPAWS makes a difference in the livesof the animals to be sure, but it alsomakes a big difference in the life of thevolunteers as well.‘Meridith GonzalesAdoption Counselor and Kitty City Level 2 Volunteer‘We all have a common focus andthat is to help the animals havea happy life. I volunteer to be aspokesperson for the animals. I tryto spend time getting to know themand learning their personalitiesso that I can match them into thehome they would benefit from best.I consider all of these catsmy own and my missionis to get them into theirforever homes.‘