Last July, Danielle Stemple visited the PAWS Adoption Center looking to adopt a cat. Little did she know that she, herself, would be adopted…as a PAWS volunteer. “I was encouraged by Cathy Barefoot, the adoption counselor I was working with at the time, to consider becoming a volunteer,” Stemple explained. The idea excited Danielle and gave her the motivation to fulfill an ambition to help animals in need. “I have lived in State College for ten years and have always wanted to get involved with PAWS. Cathy’s encouragement gave me the push I needed to complete the training process.
Now Danielle is a regular fixture at PAWS on Tuesdays as a cat care volunteer. Each week she helps to clean the rooms in the cat wing as well as the cattery, and also makes the rounds to give the cat residents their food, water, and, of course, plenty of love. It’s a routine that not only puts a smile on her face, but has also won her some pretty special admirers. “One of my most memorable moments at PAWS was having sweet Morris greet me from inside the cattery each week. He would always be waiting by the cattery door for me to come in and would follow me around the cattery when I was cleaning.” (Happily, Morris was adopted from PAWS in November.)
With several months of volunteer time under her belt, Danielle expanded her role to include helping to care for the cats who are newly arrived at PAWS. She also recently began assisting the PAWS publicity committee with the management of the PAWS Instagram and Pinterest social media accounts.
All in all, Danielle says she is glad she visited PAWS on that day in July. “PAWS has given me the opportunity to make new friends while spending time caring for amazing animals.” So what’s her favorite part of being of being a PAWS volunteer? “It sounds cliché, but feeling that I am making a difference in the life of an animal is the most rewarding part about being a PAWS volunteer. I look very forward to getting the weekly adoption updates each week.
Danielle is one of the many dedicated volunteers who make it possible for PAWS to take in and care for hundreds of cats and dogs each year. If you are interested in becoming a PAWS volunteer, please visit our website to learn about the various volunteer opportunities that are available.