MONTHLY VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Brenda Yaworski

Brenda Yaworski may have only started volunteering as a doggy foster parent for the Winnipeg Humane Society last spring, but it that short time she’s gained a tremendous amount of experience. She started off with a Doberman that won over her heart – so much so that Brenda’s family and friends had a pool going to see if her first foster would be a foster fail. That first dog she fostered stayed with Brenda three or four times, so she had him for almost two months. “When they called me the third time, they said ‘You don’t have to take … Continued

Monthly Volunteer Profile: Jareth Blais-Renaud

Jareth Blais-Renaud never had a dog growing up in the Ottawa area but moving to Manitoba for work 14 years ago gave him the opportunity to enjoy something he’d missed. “I never grew up with dogs,” he explained.  “I always wanted one but unfortunately, we were never allowed, for financial reasons. “But then I moved here for work, and I met Michelle, who would become my wife. She had a long-haired Dachshund. I just became so fond of him and fell in love with him so much.” Jareth’s relationship with the Winnipeg Humane Society began simply with a visit to … Continued

Monthly Volunteer Profile: Philippe Lajoie

When Philippe Lajoie retired from teaching, he looked for something to do with his new-found time. And if he could bring Biden, his Labradoodle pup with him, so much the better. “I went on a Winnipeg volunteer web site and saw that the Winnipeg Humane Society was looking for somebody in the Education department,” Philippe explained. “I came down for an interview and asked if I could bring Biden to the events. They said fine, as long as he passes the requirements. So, I brought him down and sure enough, he passed and we’ve been doing the Dog Ambassador stuff … Continued

Monthly Volunteer Profile: Alison SanFilippo MVP

Like so many Winnipeg Humane Society volunteers and staff, Alison SanFilippo has an unbridled love for all animals. But for Alison it’s a passion around which much of her life has revolved. Her WHS volunteer service dates back almost two decades, she has two rescue dogs and four cats (three from the WHS) at home and, in addition, has her own pet sitting business. “I began volunteering in the old building,” Alison explained. “I’ll be going into my 18th year in October. I started as soon as my daughter was old enough to go to school.” She’s a self-proclaimed advocate … Continued

Monthly Volunteer Profile: Jaelyn Friesen

For Jaelyn Friesen, a life-long love of animals has evolved into a volunteer role at the Winnipeg Humane Society. A Grade 12 student enrolled in carpentry at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate in Winnipeg, Jaelyn grew up with pet gerbils. “I really liked having the gerbils,” she said, smiling. “They were nice with me and they enjoyed cuddling. They’re very affectionate. One would escape from its enclosure and it would come and find us.” At the age of 11, she got her first dog. Now she and her family have two small dogs – a Poodle and a Shih Tzu. On weekends … Continued

Foster Parents Are Heroes

Without our Fosters, the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) would not be able to help as may animals as we do. The shelter is bursting at the seams and fosters make sure that we have some other options when it comes to giving animals a safe place to heal or wait for their forever family. Jill Bristow has been a long time foster at the WHS. She has fostered countless kittens and helped them get a good start on life. During her foster journey she also met her cat Gracie. Gracie has severe Cerebellar Hypoplasia which makes her very wobbly and … 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

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

February 2022 Volunteer Profile: Patty Ruffeski

Patty Ruffeski has been a fixture at various Winnipeg Humane Society special events for several years, and perhaps best known for taking part in successive Paws in Motion fundraisers, accompanied by her Pug/Boston Terrier cross, Winston. Patty’s had a long volunteer career with several animal welfare organizations. “I volunteered with a pug rescue for nine years and then when Winston was two we got Ringo, my other dog (a Pug/Miniature Pinscher cross)” she explained. “He passed away late in 2013. Shortly after that, in February 2014 I started volunteering at the WHS to remember Ringo, as a tribute to him. … Continued