June Volunteer Spotlight: Kristina Pydynowski

Krissy with Dog in front of Barn
Krissy's 2 cats
Krissy with Harry
June 23, 2022

How long have you been at PAWS?

My husband and I started volunteering in 2007 as cat care volunteers. A few years later, Lisa Bahr asked if I would be interested in taking over the PAWS' Facebook page. We were starting it from scratch at that time, and I've been in charge of creating and posting content ever since. We also fostered some cats around the holidays and kittens in the summer -- that is until we became a failed foster to Jett (the tuxedo pictured here); Ciao is our other PAWS' alum. Jett likes our house to remain a two-cat home!

What's your favorite thing about PAWS?

The people, as I have met so many great friends at PAWS. Of course, all of the wonderful animals and how they are at PAWS until they find their forever homes. My favorite PAWS' animal will also be Harry the cat (I thought to include this blast from the past of me with Harry from 2011!). Well, he was my favorite PAWS' animal whom I couldn't adopt. Of course, Jett and Ciao (affectionately called "the boys") are my favorites.

What's your favorite thing to do at PAWS?

Volunteer at PAWS Bingo! I love bingo, and it is such a fun night as we also get a group of friends together. In addition, spending the better part of two full days at PAWS for Centre Gives. There is a lot of prep work for that, but I have so much fun with the publicity team!

What are your favorite non-PAWS hobbies?

I love going for hikes (we have a passport to try and get all of the stamps at the PA state parks), watching the State College Spikes, reading and going to my dad's dairy farm to milk cows and ride my tractor. There's also a high chance you will find me at Big Springs on the weekends!

Where are you from?

I'm from near Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and had an amazing childhood growing up on our family's dairy farm. Fun tidbit -- I was the Tioga County Dairy Princess.

Where's your favorite place to vacation?

Definitely the beach! I grew up going to Lavallette, New Jersey, every summer. My husband and I now go to Myrtle Beach -- at the peak of hurricane season. My husband and I are both meteorologists and know the risks of going at that time of year. However, the weather is so perfect when there isn't a storm brewing. When there is a bypassing storm (not threatening people), we are the silly ones out there on the beach having fun in the rain and wind!