Our "Best Friend" Honored Volunteer: Heather M.
"Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.org
Heather M. - honored June 2018
Heather, tell us.....
What BFLA programs/events/volunteer roles do you find yourself participating in?
I work in the Kitten Nursery and with the Cat Team in the ringworm isolation area.
Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?
Purely selfish reasons! I might be having a bad week, and I come here and see a bottle baby’s “ear wiggle” or cuddle with a lonely cat in ISO, and everything’s good!
How long have you been a BFLA volunteer?
I started volunteering in the summer of 2016.
What do you do when you're not volunteering (career/extracurricular activi
I retired a few years ago from the City of Long Beach, where I worked as an assistant city attorney. When I’m not volunteering, my primary hobbies are travel and wildlife photography. I also love to “glamp” in the local mountains and the southwest.
Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA?
It’s usually hard to remember the kittens, since there are hundreds of them and they leave us so soon. However, I remember little Una, because she was the very last kitten I fed at the end of my first kitten season. I was so sad, because I was facing 4 months without being able to satisfy my kitten addiction! However, coincidentally, she was adopted as a companion to a young girl with cancer. Since the little girl is a friend of one of our volunteers, I’ve been able to see Facebook updates on little Una’s wonderful effect on this girl’s life. This is the best job ever!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!
I have one cat, my sweet old lady Hannah. She says she doesn’t mind me spending time with other cats, as long as I don’t take any of them home with me.
What others are saying about Heather:
"Heather is a shining advocate for all things Cat. She supports the nursery in both animal and human interaction, and takes on the work of one of our most difficult populations, our ringworm positive kids. Heather works tirelessly to ensure that this population heals quickly and that they have a blast and are comfortable while receiving their treatment. Heather is a joy to be around, an inspiration to volunteers and staff alike, and cares so much for our furry friends we love you Heather!!" - Janette, Cat Care Manager
"Heather is such a major help to us keeping our ringworm kitties clean & happy. On Sundays & Wednesdays, she spends hours in ISO & I know I can breath a sigh of relief to have such a trusted volunteer giving us a head start in this area." - Meredith, Cat Caregiver