Our "Best Friend" Honored Volunteer

Michelle C. with a dog
Michelle C. helps find homes for the Best Friends cats at Pet Food Express.
By Best Friends Animal Society
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.org
 
Michelle C. - honored October 27, 2014
 
Michelle, tell us.....


What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?
The majority of my shifts are at Pet Food Express in Pasadena, though so far I've also volunteered at two events - Strut Your Mutt and The Feline Film Festival. Both were great fun and very successful!

Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?

When my beloved rescue dog Buddy passed away, I decided to transition my volunteer work to animal rescue. I was actually scheduled to attend an orientation at NKLA but ended up adopting my dog Sadie instead. A year later, friend and Best Friends photographer Lori Fusaro told me Pet Food Express was opening just a few blocks from my house and was partnering with Best Friends to find forever homes for rescued kitties. It was the ideal opportunity for me. 

How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?
Since May 2014, when Pet Food Express opened. 

What do you do when you're not volunteering (career/extracurricular activities)?
I work full time as a Court Administrator for The State Bar of California attorney discipline courts. When I'm not at work or volunteering, I spend as much time as I can with my dog Sadie and my new kitty Bijou.

Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? 
My favorite adoption story involves the shy and beautiful Daisy. Because Daisy was a bit reclusive, we worried that she might not find her forever family at Pet Food Express. But one night I got the call that a woman had been stopping by daily to visit Daisy, though they had not yet been able to interact outside of Daisy's condo. I was asked to come into the store to make the introductions in the play room. The woman and her husband came, and while we were talking, Daisy pressed her forehead to the husband's outstretched hand. When I explained to him how significant that gesture is, it sealed the deal. Three days later the woman came into the store to report that Daisy was "the perfect cat" and was blossoming in their home. I've seen them a few times since and they continue to give glowing reports. I had become quite attached to Daisy but placing her with her forever family felt like winning the lottery, happy tears included!

Do you have any pets?
I have a 2-year old dog, Sadie, adopted from NKLA in 2013 and a 1-year old cat Bijou, adopted from Best Friends on September 13. 
 

What others are saying about Michelle:
“Michelle is such a kind person and she really loves working with the cats and helping them find their forever home. We’re so thankful to have her as a volunteer and we appreciate everything she does for us and the kitties!” – The Pet Food Express Team

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Los Angeles