Last year, National Volunteer Appreciation Week looked unlike any year prior. The SPCA Serving Erie County chose to continue serving the community as effectively as possible while the county…and the world…continued navigating a worldwide pandemic. Our volunteers stood by, ready and willing to help us continue to serve the people and animals of our community in whatever way possible. This year during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, as we continue to rebuild and restructure, we take a look back at last year’s efforts and again thank our volunteers for their dedication, their loyalty, their smiles, and most of all, for their love.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK 2021
Day 2, April 19 [Reposted April 18, 2022]

“Beauty is not who you are on the outside, it is the wisdom and time you gave away to save another struggling soul like you.”
― Shannon L. Alder

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
– Elizabeth Andrew

Today’s appreciation post and photos come to us from Educational Farm Manager Sheila Foss:

All of our fabulous farm volunteers perform many essential tasks during their respective shifts – assisting with feeding, watering, cleaning, enriching, grooming, loving – that are integral to the health and well-being of all of the animals that have been entrusted to our care!

Please note that the photos, taken pre-COVID-19 and without masks, are representative of the work our dedicated volunteers continue to perform day in and day out. Pandemic aside, they help out in the heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter; no matter what mother nature throws our way, their capable hands and generous hearts truly enable us to keep doing all of the great things that we do!


Kelley W. has volunteered since 2013, and is shown here collecting eggs from our permanent resident flock of chickens. She possesses a cheerful, positive demeanor that brightens everyone’s day!


Laura L. also has been a volunteer since 2013. She’s shown here grooming Xylord, our very handsome miniature horse. Laura is a steady, able-bodied, and thorough team member.


AmyLou T. has been a volunteer since 2018. She is shown here picking out the hooves of a pony we had available for adoption. AmyLou brings her incredible farm skill set to every shift!


Laura Z. has been a volunteer almost 12 years after starting in 2009! She is shown here providing enrichment for a couple of our chickens! Laura does a fantastic job socializing our newcomers.


Robert S. has been a volunteer since 2017. He and his smile are shown here cleaning the center paddock. Robert always goes the extra mile to make our farmyard spotless, and he’s a big fan of Newman our Nubian goat! (We think Newman is equally enamored of Robert!)

–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer