Who Are We?
The volunteers at Anne Arundel County Animal Services created Friends of Anne Arundel County Animals in 2014 because the animals need our help – and yours! In addition to the hundreds of hours of time our small cadre of volunteers donates each month, most of us have dug repeatedly into our own pockets to provide items that aren’t in the shelter’s county budget but that help make shelter life better for the animals and/or encourage adoptions. But because there is so much more to be done than our little group of volunteers can finance, we created Friends of Anne Arundel County Animals, an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) charity that solicits donations that we use to improve and to SAVE the lives of the homeless animals at the shelter.
FEIN: 47-1552999
Maryland Sales & Use Tax Registration Number: 15692067
Board of Directors
When she began volunteering at the shelter in January 2014, Chris thought she’d spend a handful of hours each month walking dogs, but she quickly was immersed in several shelter activities, including working with its rescue coordinator to find homes for animals that otherwise might not be adopted. Chris is a retired newspaper reporter/editor who writes the Friends’ Facebook posts. She has a pit bully, Lacey, a very mixed breed smaller dog named Cecil and three cats, J.J., Midget and Pershing, all from the shelter.
Nichole became a volunteer at Anne Arundel County Animal Services in 2021 after finding her passion for dog rescue while volunteering at another local animal shelter. She spends her free time walking Anne Arundel County’s homeless dogs, facilitating adoptions, and advocating for their proper care. Nichole also fosters dogs that are too scared for the shelter environment or need specialized care while they wait for their forever home. She currently shares her home with two Chihuahuas, Ace and Cheyenne.
Megan started volunteering at Anne Arundel County Animal Services in March 2022, when she and her family lost their much loved, 9-year-old, 100-pound Great Pyrenees due to an aggressive cancer. She wanted to help the dogs at the shelter get outside and have a break from their indoor kennels. Little Blueberry arrived as a stray that first summer she was volunteering. Megan decided to take her home and foster her through a much-needed surgery, where she soon became what some call a “foster fail.”
Megan has a deep love for all animals and just wanted to help make their lives a little bit better. Her family also has a 9-year-old cat, Sammie, who was adopted as a feral kitten.
Megan has a deep love for all animals and just wanted to help make their lives a little bit better. Her family also has a 9-year-old cat, Sammie, who was adopted as a feral kitten.
One of Robin’s good friends was a volunteer at the shelter and knowing the love Robin had for animals she suggested Robin might like to volunteer as well. She joined the small group of volunteers in 2013. “I get so much joy from the animals. Anything I can do to make their life better at the shelter is very important to me.” Robin volunteers mainly with dogs, but also fosters dogs and underage kittens. Luckily her group of 2 dogs and 1 cat is welcoming to any animal she brings home. Her dog, Scout (adopted from the shelter in 2015), can often be seen at Friend’s events because he loves people as much as Robin loves dogs.
Joshua has been a volunteer since 2018. He has lived with pets for as long as he can remember, including dogs, cats, and fish. He and his wife currently live with seven cats, five of which were adopted from Anne Arundel County Animal Services. They are seasoned fosters as well, having shared their home with upwards of thirty animals to date (cats, turtles, rabbits, and bearded dragons) and loving them as their own—even adopting three of them!
In 2023, Shari began volunteering at Anne Arundel County Animal Services, shortly after a stray dog appeared at her door. After bringing the dog to the shelter, she discovered the many opportunities to help animals and decided to volunteer. That same stray eventually became their beloved pet, Felix, who is dearly loved and considered a proud uncle to her four grandchildren, with whom Shari spends much of her free time. At the shelter, Shari enjoys walking dogs, preparing treats, and assisting with special events.
Sonya became a volunteer at Anne Arundel County Animal Services in September 2022 when she saw a Facebook post from Friends of Anne Arundel County Animals looking for volunteers. She has always loved animals. Growing up she had a horse, a cat, several dogs, and pigs. Sonya enjoyed spending time with all of her animals and taking care of them. She is a primary teacher and teaching her students how to use their voice to help them advocate for themselves is a job she takes pride in doing. Animals, however, do not have a voice. On Sonya’s volunteer application, when asked why she wanted to volunteer, she wrote “to be their voice.” In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Simba (a foster fail from the shelter) and two rescue cats, Lou and Sam, working out at the gym, reading, and walking dogs at the shelter.