Volunteer Spotlight: Marilou Fischer
Meet Marilou! Marilou has been volunteering at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County for nearly nine years! She has volunteered in various roles over the years, but walking the dogs is what she has found most rewarding.
Q. When did you start volunteering at the shelter?
A. I started volunteering in 2012, so this March will be my ninth year. My how time flies!
Q. What made you want to volunteer for the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County?
A. When I decided to retire from nursing, I made a plan to start volunteering for different organizations. It was a good fit for me at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.
Q. What does a day in your life at the shelter look like?
A. I start my day at the front door, ‘bagging-up’ with essentials. Then I check the whiteboard to see what dogs are still at the shelter. We get every dog out for a walk in the morning that is allowed to go out, so it is very busy. Sometimes kennel maintenance like cleaning or re-filling water is needed, which we also do.
Q. What’s your favorite part?
A. My favorite part is the wonderful, dedicated people who make this place tick! Our kennel aides Alex, Haley, and Yuko work so hard for our dogs and know them so well. My fellow dog walkers, Pat P. and Dave P., who I have walked with for years and keep me going in spite of myself! It’s a very good team of people who love dogs.
Q. If you could give one piece of advice about volunteering or fostering with the shelter, what would it be?
A. I think there is something for everyone here. I started out volunteering in the Cattery and Bath Brigade. I also was an initial canvasser assisting with Pets for Life, and then I started walking dogs. So, try different areas to see what works for you!
Q. Why are you so passionate about the work we do?
A. Because I am now working with the Dog Behavior Modification team, I get to see dogs change and grow, which is so exciting. The Dog Services Lead, Emily’s, commitment to all of these dogs is wonderful, and she truly partners with all of us so our dogs can have the best possible outcomes.
Q. Any special stories you’d like to share?
A. My favorite story is the Legend of Zeek and Zoe. They were a bonded pair of pitties who had to be adopted together. They were the reason I started walking dogs, and they were my first impression of the breed. We discovered one person could walk both of them as they were so gentle, and so I did. They were eventually adopted together by a lovely family, but it demonstrated to me the commitment this organization has to our animals.
Interested in a career with the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County? Check out job opportunities here. Want to volunteer or foster? Learn more here!
