Thanks to HSSNM Cat Adoption Program Volunteers!

A volunteer appreciation luncheon was held on November 15th to acknowledge the dedication of HSSNM volunteers who work in the cat adoption program at the PetSmart Charities Adoption Center. These volunteers, under the direction of Evelyn Hancock (captain of the HSSNM Cat Adoption Program) have successfully rehomed over 100 cats in a ten month period.

The luncheon was hosted by the HSSNM board of directors at Encantada Community Center. President Frank Bryce presented Evelyn Hancock with a certificate of appreciation for the tremendous success of the program under her direction, resulting in over 200 adoptions in less than 2 years. Mr. Bryce noted the success of the program has made the adoption center here one of the top performing within the nationwide chain of PetSmart stores.

Following presentation of the award to Evelyn Hancock, individual volunteers were recognized with certificates of appreciation. Volunteers in attendance were Kathy Billing, Dean Hammond, Diane Hammond, Kelley Hestir, Kristen Hestir, Barbara Kane, Charissa Paskowski, and Chris Wydra. Volunteers recognized with certificates also included Pablo Coss, Jacob Deaven, Joel Garduno, Tiffany Kautz, Kayla Nelson, Bob Smiggen, Monica Smiggen, and Sara Squirell.

Barbara Kane

Win Jacobs

Diane Hammond

The PetSmart volunteers are a great group of people who love cats. It would be impossible for the adoption program to work as well as it does without them.

In the back row, from the left is Barbara Kane, Kristen Hestir, Sarah Squirrell, Monica Smiggen, Charissa Paskowski, Pablo Coss and Jacob Deaven.

In the front, from the left is Diane Hammond, Evelyn Hancock, Belinda Romero and Kathy Billing.

This is a great bunch of volunteers who are dedicated to the well being of the cats at the PetSmart Adoption Center in Las Cruces, NM.

Volunteers with the HSSNM cat adoption program and PetSmart Charities, and in conjunction with other HSSNM volunteers, helped rehome and adopt over 150 animals from July '08- July '09.

HSSNM member Michel Meunier is a tireless supporter and volunteer in the field of animal welfare in our community. She is the president and founder of ACTion Programs for Animals (APA), a non-profit organization “helping people and their pets live better lives together.” Under the direction of Michel, APA launched the pet food bank program for people with pets needing assistance in hard economic times. The program has been a needed and important outreach effort for pet retention, and for educational aspects related to pet guardianship.

Michel assists HSSNM by posting photos and descriptions of homeless animals, and others who need help, on the APA website “Animals in Need “ page. Information on animals who need to be re-homed or need temporary fosters or permanent placement, and those who are lost or found, come from callers to the HSSNM pet help line. That information is sent out in a variety of ways to assist the caller and animal. One of the primary ways are the website postings Michel does and the circulation or cross posting of that information with her email network. In addition to her work helping HSSNM with postings of animals from pet help calls, Michel also posts photos and descriptions of animals in need on the APA website that come to her from a variety of sources within the community and state.

Michel is a real champion for the animals and a valued member and volunteer of HSSNM. She can be reached at 644-0505.

Sue Patterson (pictured at left in photo below) is involved in numerous activities as an independent animal advocate. She volunteers with SNAP, Spay-Neuter Action Program helping with fundraisers and other activities.

HSSNM Volunteer Evelyn Hancock (right) leads the PetSmart cat adoptions and care for HSSNM. Evelyn reports "I accepted the position with some reservations as to my capabilities, but it has turned out to be a very rewarding experience, both from the human and animal side. I have been able to work with many great cats, and equally great people."

She adds: "We are in our second year now, and can proudly say that the adoptions are going along very well, and many cats have been given that second chance for a great, forever home that they deserve. During the 9-month period in 2008, we placed 90 cats into new homes, and we are proud to say that we are continuing our success by finding 39 cats a new home since January 2009."

Work in this area includes taking a.m. and p.m. shifts for caring for the cats. If you are interested in volunteering at PetSmart, contact Evelyn at 575-650-6746.