Congratulations to Jennifer McPherson, the Volunteer of the Month for August 2010.

Jennifer has been volunteering with Fancy Cats since October 2009. She volunteers her time as a very dependable foster home. However, she first learned of Fancy Cats about four years ago when she adopted Gabby (pictured) from the Fair Lakes adoption center. So when she decided to start volunteering she came back to FCRT. Yeah!

Members of the Leadership Team have said that Jennifer is very responsible and takes her role of foster mom very seriously. Cathy Awad says, “[Jennifer] always knows if there is a problem with one of her cats, has a great sense about people, and never misses the chance to help when she can.”

Jennifer currently has five cats and one dog of her own – Elliott, Chloe, Quincy, Gabby, and Simi, as well as a big Mastiff named Trooper. Besides the volunteer work for Fancy Cats, she works full time for the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency, and also pet sits on a part-time basis.

Congratulations Jennifer!

Congratulations to Andrea Spagnoli, the Volunteer of the Month for May 2010.

Andrea has been volunteering with Fancy Cats since August 2009. She started as a cleaner at the Fair Lakes adoption center and eventually became the Cleaning Manager, which is a much needed volunteer position.

Andrea has two kitties of her own that she calls “her boys.” Iz and Jax were adopted from the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Boca Raton, Florida. They handled the car ride to Virginia with ease and settled in quickly to their new home.

Victoria Brown, the Fair Lakes adoption center manager, has said about Andrea, “she went above and beyond by increasing her responsibility and acting as center manager for a few weeks when needed….Andrea developed good relationships with each volunteer and developed the communication that was previously lacking…Andrea truly is Fair Lakes backbone for success!”

Andrea said, “I truly believe in the work that FCRT does for the community and I really, really appreciate all the other cleaning volunteers, because without them, I wouldn't be able to run the schedule smoothly!”

Congratulations Andrea!

Congratulations to Ronda Dalton, the Volunteer of the Month for April 2010.

Ronda has been volunteering with Fancy Cats since February 2008. She started as a cleaner at the Chantilly adoption center and eventually became a foster and soon after an adoption coordinator. She has taken in many cats as fosters and given them a great home environment until they find their forever homes. She is sometimes known as the foster that takes the “hard to adopt” kitties and we greatly appreciate her support. They eventually all find their forever homes.

Ronda has said, “I like to help with the adoption fairs. I am a firm believer that if I am fostering and take one of my kitties to a fair I should try my best to stay there and talk to any potential adopters about that kitty as I know them best. I find that potential adopters really want to hear about the kitties personalities and the little quirks and I am always someone who has cute stories about all the kitties I foster. They are all just so unique.”

Ronda has two kitties of her own that she says “own her.” If you see Ronda, you should ask her about how she came to own these kitties. It’s a pretty interesting story that begins in Germany. Her kitties are now 13+ years old and doing wonderful.

Ronda said, “Walking into that PetSmart store and meeting Becky [Brierly] changed my life. Volunteering has probably helped me more than I could ever possibly give back. Fancy Cats Rescue Team was there during a very dark time in my life. I am grateful that Fancy Cats Rescue Team allowed me to give and get love from these wonderful, adorable kitties. It brought me back into the light where I had none in my world. It gave me strength when I thought I had none to spare and it let me find my smile again. I just want to say thank you for helping me find my path and allowing me to see that I can make a difference in this world too.”

Congratulations Ronda!

Congratulations to Stephanie Gutgesell, the Volunteer of the Month for March 2010.

Stephanie has been volunteering with Fancy Cats since January 2007. She volunteers her time in many ways – cleaner at the Chantilly center, adoption coordinator, and she has been a foster.

Stephanie has three cats: Petey (a rescue from OH), Aslan, and Saturn (both adopted from FCRT; pictured). Stephanie also volunteers with Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville, MD once a month.

Members of the Leadership Team have said that Stephanie has increased her knowledge of animals in general and especially cats...specializing in alerting our medical staff to problems. She is continuing her education of medical and behavior issues which is a great plus for our group and tremendous benefit for our kitties.

Stephanie with two of her cats, Saturn and Aslan.

Congratulations Stephanie!

February 2010

We are proud to announce that Stephanie Vandeveire is the Volunteer of the Month for February 2010.

Stephanie has been volunteering with Fancy Cats Rescue Team for quite some time. She helps as a foster home for many of our cats that are looking for their forever homes. Members of the Leadership Team have said that Stephanie is their idea of a very dedicated and successful foster home. They also said that she is an outstanding foster home who even when she wants to take time off will foster if it means the difference of life and death to a cat.

Congratulations Stephanie!

January 2010

Fancy Cats is proud to announce that Stephanie Hunsaker is the Volunteer of the Month for January 2010.

Stephanie has been volunteering with Fancy Cats Rescue Team since January 2009. She helps at both the Fair Lakes and Chantilly centers. She supports FCRT in a number of ways – providing cat care for the center cats, taking photos of the cats, and helping at adoption fairs.

Members of the Leadership Team have said that Stephanie is a volunteer that can be depended on and is a great role model. She has a very pleasant attitude and is a delightful team member.

Congratulations Stephanie!