One thing is certain. Animal Services Volunteers are dedicated to saving lives and making the community a better place for people and animals.
Arlington Animal Services is honored to be the recipient of "The Best of the Best" award for the 2014 "Best Place to Volunteer" as voted by the readers of the Star-Telegram's Citizen-Journal.
Volunteers devoted 14,038 hours of highly valued service during the past year and were recognized at a volunteer appreciation event on September 6, to kick-off Volunteer Appreciation month.
A highlight of the celebration was when Vicki Mize, daughter of the late Bill McCart and her husband Robert presented the Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award to the 2014 recipient, Gina Piner. Bill McCart continues to have an iconic presence at the Animal Services Center for his 22 years of dedicated service to the community. The exclusive award is reserved for volunteers that go above and beyond in their service and commitment to the animals and people of our community. Piner has dedicated 11 years of service to the shelter, and says, "The best part of volunteering is feeling like I make a difference in the live release rate."
The 2014 top award recipients are:
- The Bill McCart Volunteer of the Year Award: Gina Piner by staff votes
- PetSmart® Award: Tracey Talcott for 129 hours
- Pet Foster Care:
- Diane Greytak for the most cats fostered
- Christine Boe for the most dogs fostered
- Trap-Neuter-Return Community Impact Award:
- Debbie McClendon, Friends of Arlington Animal Services (FAAS)
- Renee Grant Prescott, FAAS
- Most Volunteer Hours: Steve Kunkel for 369 hours
- Most Group Volunteer Hours: Golden Paws are Willing and Sharing (PAWS) with 1,168 hours
- Canine Volunteer Awards:
- Turtle and Leroy Brown of Respect A Bull, Inc. (Turtle helped educate over 1,350 youth in the anti-bullying initiative over the past year, and Turtle's best friend Leroy Brown proved to be a super star in the Arlington Public Library youth reading program. Both also regularly visit retirement centers and provide pet therapy for the elderly and disabled.)
- Deacon - Pet Therapy Canine owned by Tom and Susan Waits
Many more treasured volunteers received awards for their outstanding contributions. The success of the Animal Services Center is dependent upon the active engagement of these fabulous volunteer partners.
Animal Services Manager Chris Huff stated "Volunteers are a huge part of the shelter's continued success".
The volunteer appreciation event would not have been complete without a dose of pet therapy. Canine volunteer Deacon greeted everyone in attendance, decked out in his finest tuxedo for the special occasion.
Thank you to each and every volunteer for your time, energy and teamwork that makes many of the programs and services offered possible. We applaud you!
Interested in Volunteering? Click here for more information or contact Volunteer Administrator Cheri Colbert at [email protected] or at 817-459-6183.
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