Meet Megan Elmer, our December Volunteer of the Month!
When did you start volunteering at PAWS?
I started volunteering at PAWS about three years ago. My daughter, who is now 14, expressed interest in volunteering at a local shelter so we went through the training together.
What jobs/roles have you performed at PAWS?
I am a regular on the Saturday evening shift helping with cat care. We also fostered a few litters of kittens this past summer.
Why do you volunteer at PAWS?
I volunteer at PAWS because I love animals. We have a cat (Wynn) that we adopted from PAWS about two years ago and we have a dog (Dusty) that was a rescue as well. They are so much a part of our family and I like being a part of helping other animals find loving homes. It feels good to give back. I also love when my son or daughter works on the shift with me. It is a nice way to spend time with my kids as they are getting older.
When you're not at PAWS, what do you like to do with your time?
I teach preschool at the Montessori School of the Nittany Valley, but outside of work I love spending time with my family, reading, painting, and watching Penn State sports.
What do you like best about being a PAWS volunteer? What do you find to be the most rewarding?
If someone asked you why they should volunteer at PAWS, what answer would you give?
I really like interacting with the cats and just being able to give them a little extra attention. I love seeing a cat that may come in scared or shy and transforming into a cat that loves people and attention. I also love seeing a cat that has been at PAWS for an extended period of time finally get adopted. It is rewarding to make a cat's day and even life a little better.