Volunteer Spotlight
December 2008
Westhampton Adoption Center Volunteer
ALLISON MONTESANTO
My name is Allison Montesanto. I live locally and volunteer at the Westhampton Bideawee. I have been a volunteer since the summertime and truly cherish my time there. I am a mom of two, a happily married wife and also have a full-time career as a high school Guidance Counselor. Bideawee provides me "quiet-time" where I can come and just be away from the stressors of life. The best part of this "mommy time" is that I get to spend time with some amazing animal friends! Volunteering here has helped me focus on myself again and also help homeless animals. This is a wonderful place with tons of caring people and loads of beautiful cats and dogs!
Manhattan Adoption Center Volunteer
SUSAN SCHWARTZWALD
Susan has been a volunteer since 1997, when she retired from teaching Pre-Kindergarten in Brooklyn. She came to Bideawee after reading an article in the NY Times. In her own words,
"I always had cats as a child, so I was more comfortable with them, so I started helping by cleaning the cages of the cats....at that time there was not as much emphasis on socializing the cats as there is now. No socializing or "playing with the cats" was done until all the cages, floors, and kitchen were clean…. I felt a special calling to the cats at Bideawee. I derive tremendous satisfaction from seeing a cat become "adoptable" at Bideawee, and placed in a loving home. I am so happy to be a part of that process. Maybe the cats sense this about me, and they sometimes try to accommodate me!"
Susan lives with her husband, 5 cats and Melba, a dog whom she took from the arms of the police 11 years ago when they were planning to bring her to CACC. When she is not spending time at Bideawee, she rescues cats in her Manhattan Beach neighborhood. More than 50 feral cats have passed through the "cat room" in her basement where she provides food and a warm place to sleep during the winter months. Recently, Susan installed a magnetically operated cat window for Slim, a stray who is FIV positive. Although unable to mix him with her other cats, Slim now is free to come and go, and has a warm room with an assortment of beds and toys to use when the weather is not to his liking. "He has turned out to be a really special boy - he just LOVES people and children." When he is not cuddling on one of his many beds, Slim enjoys walking Melba with Susan's husband.
As a volunteer Susan has left a permanent mark on Bideawee. On the street in front of the main door, towards the curb, "S U S A N" is etched into the cement. "It is the spot where I tripped while shaking out a cat bed. The cut over my eye had to be stitched, and one of the employees honored me with that tribute."
Susan also contributed a substantial donation to Bideawee in honor of her brother. The money helped pay for major renovations in the Adoption Center, including the redesign of 2 cat resorts and the creation of one. She also donates an assortment of comfy beds and linens for the cats.
Wantagh Adoption Center Volunteer
MARCIA BERRIOS
Marcia Berrios began volunteering as a dog walker in April 2001. Having adopted from Bideawee many times, she decided to give back by helping our homeless animals. Marcia calls herself a 'dog nut' and uses this as part of her e-mail address! "I enjoy establishing an understanding with Bideawee dogs. During the process we learn about each other and ourselves." Marcia also socializes puppies and works with dogs that need extra training and a more experienced volunteer. In May 2005, Marcia began fostering for Bideawee. To-date she has saved 16 kittens. Marcia was instrumental in planning the Goldman Sachs gardening project this year and is President of the newly formed Gardening Committee. She is a pet parent to puppy Captain Jack and feline Isabelle. Marcia's hobbies include skiing, gardening, running, hiking and tennis.
Bideawee thanks Marcia for her dedication and service to Bideawee and its animals.
