Terry Anderson Volunteer Spotlight

I began volunteering as a foster for Furry Friends after retiring several years ago from my longtime position as a Medical Director with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

I have loved several darling moms who nursed and taught their beautiful babies the way of the world, which brought me tremendous joy and endless laughter. Then there was Sweet Potato, an obese 12-year-old orange cat with food allergies who shed constantly, followed by Nori, a petite, elegant, curious and utterly adorable black kitty with the most beautiful eyes, who endlessly ran after a red laser pointer on the floor. Although I cry every time they’re adopted, I know there will always be other ones for me to foster and to love.

 Since retiring, volunteering has become a wonderful part of my life. I volunteer for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and for Share, and I’m also involved in my condo’s activities. I keep fit through tennis, Pilates, Pure Barre and yoga – to ensure that I can catch those impossibly quick kittens when needed!

The old adage that “in giving, we truly receive” may seem trite, but there is great wisdom in these words. Because so many cats, dogs and other animals need safe, loving homes, if we give -- for a day, a week, a month or a year -- we will be rewarded many times over for our investment of time and care.

 Thanks to Jenn, Tanika, Jazz and the many volunteers at Furry Friends who are caring for and loving these sweet creatures. Please know that you are changing the world in a small but very significant way. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

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Furry Friends Volunteer Spotlights are compiled and written by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA.