While the temps rise during the summer months here in Florida, we are fortunate to always feel the warmth of compassion from so many wonderful volunteers all year long. One kind volunteer we are recognizing this June is Mark Solomon. Hailing from an upbringing in Ohio with many cats and some dogs in his family, and then three decades in Chicago with multiple cats in his home, he became a Floridian ten years ago, and cats were naturally a part of that next step in his life. Psst … he even kept a cat in his college dorm room, but we won’t snitch!
Mark’s home is currently full of feline fun with four cats, all adopted from various situations. He explains “Sydney, was a black kitten, we adopted from YOUR Humane Society SPCA about four years ago. Two of our others we rescued from our community (as small kittens), one is black and the other black & white. The last one we rescued was last year, when an individual in our community was being transferred to a nursing home and the family did not want her. She is a long-haired calico and very friendly. She loves belly rubs.” We must assume they all get along or that would be a lot of flying fur and juggling who gets along with who!
We asked Mark what inspired him to become a volunteer with our shelter. He mentioned “I always knew when I retired, I wanted to volunteer, and it would be with animals. There was no other choice for me, and I have volunteered in the past.” We love learning about people’s wishes coming true to make a positive impact in their communities by giving back! We also wanted to know what Mark would tell prospective volunteers to inspire them to join YOUR HSSPCA and get involved and he emphasized that our shelter “is local, funded by donations and for the local community. It is a no-kill shelter, and they rely on volunteers. They are so appreciative of what volunteers do and contribute to the cause.”
Mark shared what were some of his most memorable experiences when volunteering with YOUR HSSPCA and what made them so special. He felt that it was when “working alongside some of the Board members. We have been working hard on the installation of the new office space, and seeing the Board members out there working hard is inspiring and shows their dedication. Also, helping adopters choose their new furry friends is always fun.”
Mark does a lot and defines what a very “active” volunteer can be. He explained that “although I originally signed up for ‘cat duty’, I feel when one is committed to a cause and volunteering, we should be willing to help wherever it is needed. I have helped with intakes and adoptions, worked answering the phones on Saturdays, provided some repair work and maintenance, raked leaves, and have been recently working at helping with the install of the new offices.”
If you would like to join our volunteer team and enjoy the personal satisfaction of knowing how much YOUR efforts impact our community, please call YOUR Humane Society SPCA, Sumter County’s oldest and largest private no-kill shelter, at 352-793-9117 or complete your volunteer application at yhsspca.org/volunteer. There are many ways to help, such as fostering a pet, offering dog walking and basic obedience, socializing and grooming pets, helping Admin. in the office, fundraising, gardening, basic maintenance tasks on our campus, and more. Reach out and let us know YOUR talents!
