Our "Best Friend" Honored Volunteer: Austin Delos Santos
Austin, who always has a smile on his face, is a huge help to our dog team
By
Best Friends Animal Society
"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
Austin Delos Santos- honored April 1, 2016
Austin tell us.....
What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?
I mainly work with the dog team and brown paw dogs when it comes to prepping food, feeding, washing dishes, walking dogs, deep-cleaning kennels or cleaning the dog kitchen. Other than that, I help the adoption team by showing dogs, assisting with the meet and greets or explaining information about a dog to a family. Eventually, I look forward to working with the blue paw dogs and attending a super adoption event.
Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?
I choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA because it is a no-kill facility. Meaning that I see the same faces every time I volunteer. Also because of the way the staff and volunteers make the place clean and how they care for both the dogs and cats.
How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?
I have been a BFLA volunteer for more than 1 1/2 years for about 4-5 hours on Saturdays.
What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering?
When I'm not volunteering at Best Friends, you can also find me volunteering at either Kaiser or Holy Cross on Sundays and Mondays. Aside from volunteering, I am at school at Alemany which is close by, home helping my parents with their jobs, busy doing homework, looking up colleges or cleaning the house.
Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA?
My favorite story would be when the dog staff celebrated my birthday in the dog kitchen. Another favorite story of mine was when David (from dogs) and I got this blue paw dog named Trigger adopted. He was one of out favorites during the time because it took some time for him to get comfortable around other people. Other than that, every time I volunteer is a favorite story of mine because my favorites get adopted very quickly!
Do you have any pets?
I have a 5 year old Coton de Tulear named Milo. My family and I decided to get him when he was 2 years old since the previous owner could no longer take care of him. My dog, Milo has one older brother and one older sister that live with my grandmother, so I would consider them my pets too.
What others are saying about Austin Delos Santos:
"Austin is a remarkable young man who reminds me a lot of myself when I was a volunteer. He is always smiling and greeting clients at the shelter. Need help with a task or walking a few dogs? Look no further! Austin is always willing to lend a helping hand! We appreciate his help and love seeing him around at the shelter." - David Lopez, Dog Caregiver