March 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Anita Jacobson

People who volunteer with the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) share a passion for furry or feathered friends. We all demonstrate this passion and dedication in different ways, and in eight years Foster Parent Anita Jacobson and her husband Tim have shown this repeatedly by opening their doors and sharing their home with more than 160 cats. Anita said Tim is largely responsible for what has become a major part of their lives. “I blame my husband for getting us into this,” she laughed. “We’re a partnership. He’s totally awesome and a real keeper. Eight years ago, Tim received a hip … Continued

February 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Shona Strome

Cat Adoption Assistant Shona Strome calls her two hours of volunteer work in Kitty Kat Way ‘refreshing’ and looks forward to it every week. “I always feel good after my shift, I find,” she explained. “I go home after my shift and I feel energized.” A relative newcomer to the Winnipeg Humane Society’s volunteer ranks, Shona is obviously a quick learner. She’s been volunteering at the WHS for six months but she’s already mentored four or five new volunteers. “It’s good to have new people coming on and I enjoy showing them the ropes,” she said. Shona retired from the … Continued

Tanner (left) with job coach, Michael (right)

January 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Tanner Kobar

There’s a saying about how people ‘make a mark’ in an organization through hard work and dedication. In the case of Winnipeg Humane Society volunteer Tanner Kobar, he makes his mark around the shelter each week by removing marks, which helps guests, staff and volunteers get a clear picture of adoptable animals. Tanner is in his second year of volunteering at the WHS. As an Adoptions Maintenance Assistant, cleaning the windows of the dog enclosures for the Adoptions department takes up a lot of his shift each week, but he will now be doing some laundry and filling the animals’ … Continued

October 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Amanda and Adam Belaire

Adam and Amanda Belaire have both enjoyed animals all their lives. Now the married couple are recognizing their pets over the years by volunteering together with the Winnipeg Humane Society. Each Saturday they head over to the Hurst Street shelter and load up their Corolla with boxes of food, bags of cat litter and – sometimes – pet toys and treats. The items are delivered to households which have registered with the Winnipeg Humane Society Emergency Food Bank, which is focused on keeping pets and people together by providing relief from the cost of feeding family pets during challenging times. … Continued

August 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Jennie Diacos

When Jennie Diacos retired and sold all her businesses in 2021, she knew there were many local organizations that could use her help. But her life-long love of animals drew her to the Winnipeg Humane Society last fall. And she seems to keep finding more ways to help. Among her businesses was a popular Osborne Village restaurant which she owned and managed with her brother. She was used to working seven days a week, so retirement created a need for something to help her wile away the hours. The WHS was a natural for her, and she keeps on volunteering … Continued

July 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Marcy Kowalchuck

If you look up ‘determination’ or ‘dedication’ in the dictionary, it wouldn’t be wrong to find a picture of Winnipeg Humane Society Marcy Kowalchuk in the definition. She’s a living, breathing testament to those character traits. She’s fiercely loyal to the cats in Kitty Kat Way (whom she lovingly refers to as ‘her babies’) and to the work of the WHS and its employees and volunteers. And she’s not going to let cerebral palsy prevent her from caring for the cats twice a week. She began volunteering with Winnipeg Humane Society in 2008 and has worked with the cats ever … Continued

June 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Wilfred Japit

If you ask Winnipeg Humane Society volunteer rabbit wrangler Wilfred Japit, taking care of and socializing bunnies was almost pre-ordained. “For me, it’s kind of an affinity. In the Chinese zodiac, I’m a rabbit,” he explained. “So, when I first applied to volunteer, I saw there was an opening for bunnies so that’s what I chose. I would’ve liked cats or dogs too. I like all animals.” Wilfred began volunteering in 2018 and has always been a been a rabbit wrangler. “I came to Canada in 2017 and I was looking for something to fill a gap in my life,” … Continued

May 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Marlene Puls

When Marlene Puls retired in 2010, she told herself she wanted to do two things: volunteer at the Winnipeg Humane Society and learn a second language. She’s aced her commitment to the WHS, but the Italian can be best described as a work in progress. In addition to her weekly shift with the Behaviour Cat team, Marlene is a regular fixture at most Winnipeg Humane Society events, helping out wherever she can lend a hand. And she’s also a monthly donor. “I chose the Humane Society because I like animals. I have cats and have had cats since 1982,” she … Continued

April 2022 Volunteer Profile: Glen Dawkins

When Glen Dawkins began volunteer dog walking with the Winnipeg Humane Society in February of 2014, he saw it as something that would help him get ready for retirement. More than eight years later, Glen still works at the Winnipeg Sun (but the volunteering has become more than what he initially thought). “I grew up with dogs and this was something I always wanted to do,” he said. “One day I said ‘let’s just do it.’ It was going to be a post-retirement thing, but I figured I might as well get started. No better time than the present. “The … Continued

March 2022 Volunteer Profile: Lynda Buckmaster

Fostering animals has become a family affair of sorts for Winnipeg Humane Society volunteer Lynda Buckmaster. Lynda does most of the day-to-day work with the kittens, her husband Bob is there to snuggle and cuddle the little ones. And Lynda and Bob, their daughter and two sons have adopted many of the animals Lynda has brought home to care for. A self-proclaimed ‘cat lady,’ Lynda has been fostering for seven years. Her first two years she worked on her own before joining the WHS five years ago. Lynda retired in 2011, kept herself busy for a few years before deciding … Continued