Volunteer Spotlight: Cam Phill

Meet Cam Phill! Cam helps show our shelter pets at their very best with top-notch photography skills as one of the shelter’s Paw-Parazzi Photography Volunteers.

Q. What is your role as a volunteer at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County?
A. I take photos of adoptable dogs for their adoption profile on the shelter’s website. The photos I take showcase the dog’s true looks and personality when they are happy out in the play yard or on a walk, which helps get them adopted. The photos are also used on the shelter’s social media pages to feature adoptable pets!

Q. What made you want to volunteer at the shelter, and what has been your favorite part?
A. Funnily enough, I have quite literally been waiting to volunteer here since childhood. I grew up in Tacoma, and have always had a passion for animals, so naturally I wrote a letter to the shelter at 9 years old desperately trying to convince them to let me volunteer – despite knowing full well the minimum age requirement was 16. I still have the letter on my one drive account now, and it’s funny to look back on as 17-year-old me who has finally achieved those dreams!

Seriously though, I love animals and have always been especially passionate about rescuing dogs. I have a rescue dog myself, so I wanted to help other pets like him find homes. I also happen to have lots of photography experience and have practiced pet photography on my own pets for years, so this role seemed especially perfect!

Q. Why are you so passionate about the work we do?
A. I love that by working with the shelter, I can contribute to an effort that is quite literally changing the world for these dogs. I have a soft spot for animals, so nothing makes me happier than seeing them receive the care and love that they deserve. I believe that everyone should adopt their pets if their needs in a dog allow it, so getting to promote the shelter itself and contribute to getting dogs adopted really does make me feel accomplished.

Q. Any special stories you’d like to share?
A. There’s one dog I worked with who really stole my heart, and I still think about her. Her name was Marcy. She was shy, but when I squatted down to get on her level, she approached me and rested her head right on my knees, and then closed her eyes as I pet her. She stayed like that for a while. It was the sweetest moment, I think I almost cried. Such a sweetheart of a dog and she was gone the next time I came to the shelter – I hope her new home is giving her all the love in the world!