Feature Volunteer: Donna

Donna volunteers at our Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics, is a Feline Foster Volunteer and a Community Awareness Ambassador (promoting the GTHS in the community). As a strong proponent of spaying and neutering cats living wild in colonies within our community and the surrounding area (to curb overpopulation), she assists with live trapping and transportation so these cats can be fixed. She also fosters feral kittens for domestication.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE GTHS?
About 3 years.

WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I’m a strong believer in spaying and neutering, and the GTHS makes it possible for people to take advantage of low cost surgeries through their mobile clinics and has a Community Cat Program to fix feral cats. GTHS has helped a number of strays abandoned in my neighborhood find forever homes and provided veterinary care to those who needed it. I’m very proud to be able to contribute what I can to an organization that is full of people who care so much for animals.

WHAT PETS DO YOU SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH?
I have four aging Canadian Horses – my oldest stallion is now 32 years young! I adopted a 5 year old female German Shepherd last spring and my 6 year old house cat, Lou, was rescued from a farm 5 years ago. Tiger, my barn cat, found in the snow 3 years ago, started allowing me to touch his head last spring and now sits on my lap every morning and evening for scratches and hugs.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO THE AREA?
I was born and raised on a Farm in Springmount, just outside of Owen Sound. I moved to the Barrie area for 20 years as an adult and settled back in Markdale on a small farm 26 years ago.

WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
I would like to learn more on working with dogs with behavior problems.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF THE BEST DAY EVER?
It could be working in my garden, going for a ride on a horse or painting rocks.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME (HOBBY)?
My favorite pastime at the moment, as it’s winter, is playing with my cats and painting rocks.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS OR FEARS?
I would like to outlive my horses.

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Rachel Ray comes to mind as she is a very cheerful and positive person who gives so much to shelter animals.

Thank you Donna, for all you do for the GTHS!

To volunteer at the GTHS click here for details

To sign up as a Foster Volunteer, like Donna, please complete and submit an application form  to volunteer@gths.ca

For information about pet overpopulation and GTHS spay/neuter programs, please check out the following links:
https://www.gths.ca/clinics/  
https://www.gths.ca/community-cats-programs/ 

Stay informed on GTHS events, initiatives and programs. Learn how the GTHS team is serving the pets and people of the South Georgian Bay Area. Read heart-warming Happy Tails about GTHS Alumni. See a lot of really cute pictures of dogs and cats!