Tina D.
"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.
Tina D. - honored September 1, 2014
Tina, tell us.....
What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?
I volunteer in the kitten nursery, dogs and I’m fostering a momma cat and her three babies.
Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?
I found out about Best Friends LA through Instagram, of all places. Cats of Instagram featured a pair of cats that were kitten nursery graduates (Yohan and Desmond). I instantly fell in love with them and wanted more information about the kitten nursery and Best Friends. I contacted their account and Samantha gave me all the information I needed to sign up to volunteer.
How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?
I have been volunteering at BFLA since October 2013.
What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering?
I work as a graphic designer, so most days I'm sat behind a computer. In my free time I take photos, travel and I just received my green belt in Krav Maga.
I work as a graphic designer, so most days I'm sat behind a computer. In my free time I take photos, travel and I just received my green belt in Krav Maga.
Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA?
I have many stories and it's difficult to choose just one.
As a whole - I think the staff at BFLA is incredible and I'm constantly touched by the love and care they give to each and every one of the cats and dogs there. I have unending respect and appreciation for what they do there every day.
Kitten Nursery - There's nothing like bottle feeding tiny kittens and seeing their little ears wiggle. Being able to watch them thrive is priceless.
Dogs - I am completely in love with Simba. Sitting with her and seeing her smiling face and wiggly rear-end melts my heart every time.
Kitten Nursery - There's nothing like bottle feeding tiny kittens and seeing their little ears wiggle. Being able to watch them thrive is priceless.
Dogs - I am completely in love with Simba. Sitting with her and seeing her smiling face and wiggly rear-end melts my heart every time.
Do you have any pets?
We have five cats. Four of which were feral in different degrees that turned up at the house at separate times over the last sixteen years. With time and patience all four of them are happy house cats now. Our fifth cat is a tripod we adopted after meeting him at the Vets office - He was there recovering from his leg amputation. He is completely fearless and full of mischief and love.
What others are saying about Tina:
"Tina has been an exceptional volunteer in the nursery. She consistently dedicates her time to the babies and is always willing to help with whatever is need. Thank you Tina, I don't know what we'd do without you!" - Nicole Swartzlander, Neonate Program Coordinator
"Tina has been an exceptional volunteer in the nursery. She consistently dedicates her time to the babies and is always willing to help with whatever is need. Thank you Tina, I don't know what we'd do without you!" - Nicole Swartzlander, Neonate Program Coordinator