Volunteer Spotlight
February 2009
Westhampton Adoption Center Volunteer
KATHARINE PEIFFER
Katharine Peiffer grew up in New York City and Quogue. She went to Brearley and then to boarding school. Katharine worked in the fashion industry for a number of years, all the while taking courses at the New School, volunteer teaching in East Harlem, and working at the Met. She then moved to Brookville, Long Island, where she got involved in the horse business -- she helped manage an equestrian center, ran the lesson program and taught. She also trained and showed her own horses. During this time she volunteered with the local meals on wheels program.
That particular chapter closed, and Katharine moved out this way to make Quogue her primary address. All of her family is here and it is where she feels she "belongs." Now she looks after her ailing mother, and does all the usual things; golf, garden etc. Katharine volunteers at Bideawee "because I love the animals and want to do anything I can to help them have the warm and fuzzy life they deserve. So if socializing helps, there you have it. As for the older residents, they, too, deserve all the love we can offer in their waning years. They all should be treated as the royalty they are."
Katharine has been a volunteer at Bideawee for almost two years. Katherine visits with Bideawee's cats and helps with events. She is a wonderful addition to our extended family!
Manhattan Volunteer
MARNIE COX
Marnie Cox is one of Bideawee NYC most dedicated volunteers. As a lover of all animals, it is not unusual to find her spending hours with the animals in the adoption center, or giving up weekends to help at community events. As a third-year student at Fordham Law School, preparing for graduation, her time is very limited. She always, however, manages to spend multiple hours at Bideawee each week, as well as directs a chapter of Habitat for Humanity and as a board member of Fordham University's Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Marnie credits her childhood animal shelter in Connecticut with guiding her to Bideawee.
"I've been volunteering in animal shelters since I was 12. I loved the shelter I
worked at in Connecticut, and I chose Bideawee because it reminded me of
the things I loved about that shelter. I liked the idea that since it was a smaller no-kill shelter that I would really be able to get to know the animals and bond with them. I'm so glad I chose Bideawee - both the animals and the staff make coming in to volunteer a great experience!"
Even though Marnie does not have any companion animals at the moment, she must admit that dogs do have a special place in her heart. After she completes law school she is planning to adopt two retired racing greyhounds and provide them with a loving forever home.
Wantagh Volunteer
MARYANN GOLDBERG
Maryanne Goldberg began volunteering at Bideawee in Wantagh after she retired in May 2005. She always enjoyed her job as an Executive Assistant, but at times it was very stressful. That's when she would tell her friends "in my next life, after I retire, my job will be volunteering at Bideawee so I can have fun playing with the cats and dogs in a stress free environment".
She began by volunteering as a dog walker and then graduated to cat socializing, puppy socializing, and representing Bideawee at outside events.
One of her favorite volunteer opportunities has been fostering kittens. Since September 2006 she and her husband, Warren, have fostered 34 kittens, one nursing mom, and one adult cat. Maryanne says there is never a dull moment when kittens are around. Watching them grow and learn new skills is very rewarding. She keeps an album with photos of every kitten or cat and is quick to show them off like a proud grandma.
On the weekends, Maryanne takes pleasure in representing Bideawee at Petsmart and Petco. She brings a cat along and the public enjoys interacting with them and, of course, the cats have fun with their time out. Sometimes an adoption results from one of these visits and that makes it very rewarding. She likes meeting with people who stop by to talk about Bideawee and she is always amazed at how many will say their current dog or cat, or one they had as a child, came from Bideawee. She feels we have a very good reputation in the community.
In April 2008, Maryanne won Volunteer of the Year at the Wantagh Appreciation Luncheon for all that she does for Bideawee.
Maryanne says she has met lots of friends at Bideawee who share her passion for the welfare of dogs and cats.
"We all feel that we are helping to make the lives of the shelter animals a little bit better while they are waiting for their forever home," she says.
Volunteer Spotlight - January 2009
Volunteer Spotlight - December 2008
