Volunteer Spotlight

The Volunteer Spotlight is not only a way for us to show recognition of some of our most dedicated volunteers, but also a way to highlight how rewarding it can be to volunteer at DHA. Check back from time to time for volunteer news and new profiles of volunteers from all the different areas and activities of the shelter, including Kennel, Cattery, Administration, Front Desk, Vaccination Clinics, Special Events, and more!

Delaware's First Lady joins DHA in recognizing volunteers for their service
DHA honored its volunteers on August 4th with a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. Staff invited volunteers to relax and mingle in an effort to show appreciation for the time and effort they give to DHA throughout the year. The event's special guest speaker, First Lady of Delaware Carla Markell, thanked the volunteers for their dedication and stressed the importance of the animal welfare movement in Delaware. She also shared stories of their dog Rue, who they recently adopted from DHA.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cheryl and John Dean
John and Cheryl Dean have been volunteer foster parents for DHA since 2009. In that time span they have fostered over 200 animals. The Deans mainly foster mother cats with newborn kittens, pregnant cats, and kittens, and "bottle babies" but have also fostered older cats and puppies. If needed they will take in multiple fosters at the same time. When DHA had to be evacuated for Hurricane Irene in 2011, they brought 19 cats home for the weekend!

Volunteer Spotlight: Carl Armideo
Check out our latest Volunteer Spotlight, featuring Special Events Committee volunteer Carl Armideo! Carl started volunteering with DHA in 2004 after organizing a fundraising team for our very first Walk for the Animals at the Beach. He enjoyed the experience so much that he wanted to get more involved! Carl is the driving force behind the Playtime at the Beach "doggy happy hours" that take place in Rehoboth Beach from April through October. These events raised over $2,000 for DHA last year. In addition, this year he is the Co-Chairperson for DHA's 8th Annual Walk for the Animals at the Beach.

Volunteer Spotlight: Dianne Briggs
Check out our latest Volunteer Spotlight, featuring cattery and medical volunteer Dianne Briggs! Dianne started volunteering at DHA in Spring 2008. She comes in to the shelter three to four times a week, and also helps out at DHA's PetSmart Adopt-a-thons. You'll most often find Dianne in DHA's free roaming cat room, seeking out the cats most in need of socializing and TLC. Dianne also assists DHA's medical staff in making sure that both cats and dogs are healthy during their stay.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy Picard
Check out our latest Volunteer Spotlight, featuring kennel volunteer Cindy Picard! Cindy visited DHA for the first time in February 2009 when she stopped by to donate 10 new dog beds she had received. When offered a tour of the shelter, she initially declined. I did not want to see the dogs in what I thought would be a 'cage',"she explains. After talking to another volunteer, Cindy decided to go ahead and visit the kennel, and to her surprise, it turned out to be a very positive experience.

Volunteer Spotlight: Leslie Skibinski
Check out our latest Volunteer Spotlight, featuring kennel volunteer Leslie Skibinski! Leslie volunteers in the kennel every Friday night and jokes that DHA is her "standing Friday date". We find ourselves saying, "It must be Friday night, because Leslie is here walking a shelter dog!"