And The TableScrap Goes To . . .

Andrea! Yet another 'Volunteer We Can't Live Without!' Everybody who volunteers or works with United Animal Friends surely knows Andrea well . . . she does SO MUCH! Among her many, many roles with United Animal Friends, Andrea most notably is our Adoption Events Coordinator and our Pet Food Bank Coordinator / Delivery Person. These are massive, huge roles! Each week, Andrea organizes volunteers and transport for all of the UAF adoption events. She transports, handles and manages events too! Andrea's work with the UAF Pet Food Bank is also a very intense job - one that takes her all over Arizona and allows her to meet people who are struggling to feed their animals and help them relieve that burden by providing them with free, donated pet food. Andrea's also a member of the new UAF Volunteer Committee and actively participates in all fundraising campaigns. Finally, Andrea is in charge of updated the Petfinders database with all incoming and outgoing dogs. Whew! She calls herself a 'failed foster,' but we think that just means she loves too much too let go. Here's how Andrea sums up her motivation for volunteering:

"I do what I do because of my love and compassion for animals. I have always had animals in my home. As a small child, I would bring home anything lost or hurt including kittens, puppies, rabbits, rodents, birds - anything that needed someone to help it. I joined PETA and Green peace back in the 70's because I was saddened by the horrors of whale and seal hunting & laboratory testing. I was a 4-H member at age 8, until I was told I needed to slaughter my rabbits. I never understood how you could raise an animal to trust you and then kill it.

Well, to sum it all up I have not changed very much. I still want to help everything, now even people. Education is the key to helping more animals. Its so rewarding taking pet food to people who are struggling to feed their animals and knowing it really helps. Also, seeing a dog get adopted that wouldn't have the chance without the networking of UAF. It's a great feeling. Rescuing puppies from a shelter e-list with one day to spare is the best!

I wouldn't change what I do for anything. I love UAf and its strong values. If I could wish for something it would be for more fosters and more adopters to help us save more animals. All of us as part of the community need to be responsible for the well being of the animals in this community."