Bill McCart Volunteer Awards

Arlington Animal Services is excited to announce the recipient of the Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award for 2022 - Donna McPherson!

Donna has been a volunteer at Arlington Animal Services since May 2021! Donna is a dedicated City of Arlington volunteer. Outside of Animal Services, she also volunteers for the Arlington Police Department and Levitt Pavilion while also working her full time job. She is always willing to help the shelter staff and animals in any way that she is able. Donna has hosted the New Volunteer Orientation, volunteered at the PetSmart Highlands location, participated in Rescue Readers events, and so much more!

Since May 2021, Donna has volunteered over 105 hours and is always such a positive light for staff and citizens.

Congratulations Donna!

30 Seconds with Animal Services Volunteer Donna McPherson

1. What’s your name? Donna McPherson
2. Nick name? Barbie because I had a corvette convertible similar to the Barbie vette – not because I look like Barbie!
3. How long have you been a volunteer? Three years
4. Where are you from? Chicago, Illinois, but lived in Texas since 1979 so I tell people Chicago is where I was born and raised. Texas is home
5. What music CD do you like? Having Sirius XM, I currently listen to 80s hair metal bands, but that changes all the time since I love all kinds of music
6. What’s the last movie you saw? Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning- love those action movies!
7. What’s your favorite animal? Dogs are my favorite; however, I wanted to be a vet as a kid so while that didn't work out, I love and support animals in a different way
8. What’s your favorite reality show? Honestly, I don't watch reality shows- my life is already enough reality drama!!
9. What book are you reading right now? Not reading any books right now.
10. Where was your last vacation? Ruidoso, New Mexico, after the races were over. Enjoyed the mountains and did a lot of exploring in that area- I love to travel and go off the beaten path of tourist traps
11. What’s your favorite quote or saying? My favorite quote is from Walt Disney, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." The other is from Oscar Wilde, "Be yourself- everyone else is already taken."
12. What's your favorite hobby? Renovation and DIY on my house. Every house I've purchased, I can see exactly what to do; although the projects don't seem to end!
13. How much time do you spend volunteering per week? I work full-time, so I fit volunteering in where I can, usually on the weekends and at night if available. most of my free time is spent volunteering somewhere. I volunteer not only for AAS, but also the Arlington Police Dept and the Levitt Pavilion in downtown.
14. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? It's fun, makes me happy to support a hard-working, passionate team reach their goals, learn new things, meet fabulous people who become part of my family, know I am doing something important to better our community, and it keeps my mind and body active.

Arlington Animal Services is excited to announce the recipient of the Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award for 2021 - Deborah Nothdurft!

Deborah has been a volunteer at Arlington Animal Services since June of 2021. Deborah joins the shelter team two to three times a week volunteering her time. She helps the shelter staff and animals by doing laundry, unfolding/prepping newspapers, and doing dishes. Deborah loves to stay busy and is always looking for more tasks to help the shelter.

Since June of 2021, Deborah has volunteered over 607 hours. She logged in over 450 hours in 2022 alone!

Congratulations Deborah!

30 Seconds with Animal Services Volunteer Deborah Nothdurft

1. What’s your name? Deborah Nothdurft
2. Nick name? None
3. How long have you been a volunteer? Three years
4. Where are you from? Arlington
5. What music CD do you like? "Caribou" by Elton John
6. What’s the last movie you saw? George Carlin, Complaints and Grievances.
7. What’s your favorite animal? Chow Chow
8. What’s your favorite reality show? Kitchen Nightmares
9. What book are you reading right now? "The Shadow of your smile" by Mary Higgins Clark
10. Where was your last vacation? Science Fiction Convention in Addison, TX
11. What’s your favorite quote or saying? Remarkable ignorance does not live in my mind rent free - Gerald Nothdurft
12. What's your favorite hobby? Jigsaw Puzzles
13. How much time do you spend volunteering per week? 5 hours
14. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Organizing and cleaning supplies, for the animals.

Arlington Animal Services is excited to announce the recipient of the Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020 - Debbie Best!

Debbie has many fascinating talents. One example is when she shares her expertise with volunteers and staff teaching enjoyable puppy and cat yoga classes. Debbie was also a falconer for over 10 years, and she has a pet rabbit.

Debbie is passionate about working with fearful homeless animals, and is skillful and exceptionally gifted in the area of dog socialization training. Her nurturing essence provides a calming effect on dogs in the shelter environment, helping them reveal their true personalities for successful adoption into forever homes.

Since August 2017, Debbie has volunteered more than 417 hours, serving with enthusiasm and a passion for helping the shelter animals, earning her this year's award.

As this year's award recipient, Debbie shared that she is honored to be chosen, and "grateful for every day she gets to come volunteer."

Much Appreciation and Congratulations Debbie!

30 Seconds with Debbie Best

1. What’s your name? Debbie Best
2. Nick name? None
3. How long have you been a volunteer? Since August 2017
4. Where are you from? Lubbock Texas
5. What music CD do you like? Eagles
6. What’s the last movie you saw? Seabiscuit
7. What’s your favorite animal? Golden eagle
8. What’s your favorite reality show? None
9. What book are you reading right now? None
10. Where was your last vacation? Hawaii
11. What’s your favorite quote or saying? Live, laugh, love
12. What’s your favorite hobby? Refinishing furniture
13. How much time do you spend volunteering per week? 4+
14. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Dogs, dogs, dogs

Diane became a volunteer with Animal Services in 2012. She volunteers her time working in many areas of the shelter, including our vet clinic every Friday. Diane continues to step-up, take initiative, and is not afraid of any challenges that may come her way. "You tell me where I need to be and when," or "what can I do to help?," are two sentences heard from Diane on an ongoing basis. She also serves as an amazing foster pet volunteer, taking home 251 foster animals since joining our program.

Diane's heart is made of pure gold and she is all about giving back and helping make a difference, including training service dogs as a personal hobby.

A huge thank you to Diane and for everything she has done, and does for our shelter and animals!

Congratulations Diane!

30 Seconds with Animal Services Volunteer Diane Greytak

1. What’s your name? Diane Greytak
2. Nick name? D
3. When did you begin volunteering at Arlington Animal Services? 2012
4. Where are you from? California born Came to Texas while in high school
5. What music CD do you like? Classical & 60s music
6. What’s the last movie you saw? Lincoln
7. What’s your favorite animal? An elephant. I am jealous it can blow water through its nose!
8. What’s your favorite reality show? Don’t watch reality TV. Too much drama.
9. What book are you reading right now? Code Girls – it is about the women who worked to decode the encrypted messages during WWII
10. Where was your last vacation? Alaska
11. What’s your favorite quote or saying? The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing (Ghandi)
12. How much time do you spend volunteering per week? Approximately 10
13. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? The people I am privileged to meet & helping even one animal have a better life

Arlington Animal Services is excited to announce two recipients of the Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award for 2018 - Janie Nelson and Sharan Lombardo! Both exceptionally dedicated volunteers prompted an unprecedented naming of two - as both ladies receive the honors of being named "Volunteer of the Year" for Animal Services.

When these volunteers were asked what they enjoy most about volunteering, here were their responses:

"The chance to make a difference in a pet's life or a chance for their future."
- Janie Nelson, Volunteer since September 2011

"Being a wife and a mom, I am always doing for others. Helping out at the shelter is something that I do for me. I enjoy helping animals that can't help themselves."
- Sharan Lombardo, Volunteer since January 2015

The Dog Socialization Program, inspired by these wonderful volunteers, helps increase the adoptability of shelter animals. As dogs enter the shelter, unfamiliar with their surroundings, the program helps them feel more at home by providing added human interaction. As of October 2018, about 250 dogs have participated in the program where they receive special one-on-one time experiencing human contact and affection from a shelter volunteer. walking on a leash, enjoying the play yard and agility course, with an opportunity to show his or her obedience level and true personality.

Much appreciation to Janie and Sharan for all their hard work and dedication helping the homeless animals, Animal Services Center and the community.

Congratulations Janie and Sharan!

We are pleased to announce Barbara Morris as the recipient of the 2017 Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year award. Barbara’s dedication as a shelter volunteer began in August 2015. She shared that she especially loves her time with the kittens, other volunteers, and shelter staff. Barbara serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for center’s adoptable cats featured at PetSmart at the Arlington Highlands and logs many devoted hours to the Animal Services Center’s cattery. “Being named Volunteer of the Year was a goal that I set for myself two years ago after attending the Volunteer Appreciation event, Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Morris said. “After my mentor Larry Glover won it, I told myself that was what I was striving to achieve.” Much appreciation to Barbara and for all her hard work and commitment to helping the homeless animals, Animal Services Center and the community.

Congratulations Barbara! 

30 Seconds with Barbara Morris

1. What’s your name? Barbara Morris
2. Nick name? Barb or Barbie
3. How long have you been a volunteer? Date joined 8/2/2015
4. Where are you from? Navasota, TX
5. What music CD do you like? Abbey Road
6. What’s the last movie you saw? “The Birds” (on TV) and “Arrival” (at theater)
7. What’s your favorite animal? Cat
8. What’s your favorite reality show? “Survivor”
9. What book are you reading right now? “Good Behavior”
10. Where was your last vacation? Taos, NM
11. What’s your favorite quote or saying? “We have to be the change we wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
12. What’s your favorite hobby? Socializing with friends and family
13. How much time do you spend volunteering per week? 6-10 hours approximately
14. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Being able to be with the kitties, other volunteers and shelter staff.