Fantastic Friends Feature: Pat and Ernie Behrle

Left to right; Charlie, Ike, Hedy, Tyler and Bodie. Charlie, Hedy and Tyler WCAC Alumni; Hedy and Tyler were foster fails"

Name: Pat and Ernie Behrle
Real Job: Occupational Therapy Assistant and Semi-retired/Realtor
Volunteer Position(s): Foster

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING?

We’ve been fostering for 8 years.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO VOLUNTEERING / FOSTERING AT THE WAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER?

Our love of animals.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREED OR DOG TYPE (FLUFFY, SMALL, BIG, CHUNKY, ETC)?

For Ernie it's definitely Beagles, and the reason we foster failed in our Beagle Tyler. I prefer smaller dogs these days, and love my Cairn Terriers, but I don't really have a favorite.

TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT TO DATE AS A VOLUNTEER / FOSTER?

There have been SO many, but I love getting updates on my fosters. I guess the favorites are when the super scared fosters give us that first tail wag! We know that means they will be fine! We also love that family (our 3 kids) and many friends have adopted our fosters!

OF COURSE, MOST VOLUNTEERS HAVE THEIR OWN PETS. TELL US ABOUT THEM?!

Lol!! We had three when we started fostering; two Cairn Terriers, Charlie and Bodie and our mixed breed Ike - Dachshund/Lab (?) With blue eyes. Then we added Steven Tyler, the Beagle, and Hedy Lamarr, Border Collie mix. Both Tyler and Hedy are our foster fails! These dogs have helped many fosters learn to be happy, confident dogs!

WHAT SAGE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER / FOSTER?

You may think it's hard to let them go, and it is, but if you don't let them go you can't help the next one that needs you!

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, DESCRIBE WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING / FOSTERING SO MUCH.

 The fostering community and staff at the shelter are a wonderful group of people and have become another family. It's great to be a part of what they accomplish!

WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER LIKE PAT AND ERNIE OR CONSIDER FOSTERING AN ANIMAL?

Fantastic Friends Feature: Judy S

Name: Judy S
Real Job: Retired
Volunteer Position(s): Fido Fitness, Unofficial FWCAC Spokeperson + Celeb, Fido Musical Therapy

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING?

Four years ago, our son had recently adopted a dog from Wake County Animal Center and suggested that we volunteer at shelter.  My husband has two bad knees and I thought this was a way to get him out of house—to cuddle cats and I would walk dogs.

He couldn’t comfortably do it, but I‘ve continued to walk dogs.  Though, I was a bit intimidated at first, I was hooked after my first walk with Rocket.

WHY DID YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO VOLUNTEER?

The animals are there through no fault of their own and the care that volunteers provide helps them to be more adoptable.

In the case of dog walking, it’s great exercise. 

It’s the best way to experience total and unconditional love!  The pups are so appreciative of any attention – you can see it in their eyes.

WE ALL LOVE TO TALK ABOUT OUR PETS. YOU ADOPTED YOUR PUP, BRANDY, FROM THE WAKE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, BUT BRANDY WAS HEARTWORM POSITIVE. WERE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ADOPTING A HEARTWORM POSITIVE DOG?

Brandy ‘s sweetness just touched my heart. The fact that she was Heartworm Positive didn’t bother me because I knew that treatment was possible. 

AND THE FRIENDS OF WAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER HELPED TO SPONSOR BRANDY’S TREATMENT THROUGH THEIR HEAL A HEART PROGRAM, IS THAT CORRECT?

Their financial sponsorship was a great help to offset the cost of treatment.  They provided answers to all and any questions and helped ease my concerns.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH THE FRIENDS OF WAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER?

Great people, who are passionate about helping every animal that comes thru the front door at Wake County Animal Center. They are incredibly supportive of new volunteers sharing helpful tips on the volunteer Facebook page.

WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER LIKE JUDY OR CONSIDER FOSTERING AN ANIMAL?

Fantastic Friends Feature: Darius M

Darius and former shelter favorite, Peter Piper; Photo by Shannon Johnstone, Landfill Dogs

Name: Darius M
Real Job: I just recently graduated college, so right now I’m job hunting.
Volunteer Position(s): Dog Walker/Cuddler, Foster Parent, Playgroup Enthusiast

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A FOSTER?

I’ve been a volunteer and foster for just over two years now. I’ve always loved animals, especially dogs, and I didn’t have any personal pets at home. So, I started to research the Wake County Animal Center, and came out to visit a couple of times. I had a great time when I visited. I got to interact with some dogs, and see the hardworking staff and volunteers in person. After some time, I decided that whenever I’m home from school I wanted to come out and spend time at the Center. I love being there and I’ve learned so much from fellow volunteers and our awesome coordinators. My time here at the Center has inspired me so much that in the future I want to open my own animal rescue or a sanctuary for dogs who have no family—where they’ll be safe, have shelter, food, and water at all times.

TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT TO DATE AS A FOSTER OR VOLUNTEER?

I have so many favorite moments here, but one that stands out for me was working Clear the Shelter Day for the first time in 2018. Seeing all those animals go to good homes, and seeing the community come out and support us and take home a new family member was beautiful. We had so many great dogs that were here at the shelter for months leave and find homes. It’s really amazing seeing all these animals you’ve built bonds with leave to start a new life with their new families.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREED OR DOG TYPE (FLUFFY, SMALL, BIG, CHUNKY, ETC)?

I have a tie actually for my favorite dog breeds Cane Corsos and American Staffordshire Terriers. Big dogs with big hearts. I fell in love with a brother and sister pair of Cane Corso fosters I had and every since then I’ve been researching adopting one in the future.

WHAT SAGE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BECOME A FOSTER?

I love seeing dogs I’ve worked with go into good homes, and I know the shelter definitely needs the extra space [and that’s where fosters come in]. If I could give advice to potential fosters, I would definitely say never forget why you became a foster. It’s absolutely okay to fall in love with your foster—they absolutely deserve it. However, don’t forget about the plenty of other animals at the shelter who might need that same opportunity to get out. Find your foster a home you’re comfortable with and a family you trust, and let them go. For potential volunteers, I would definitely say spend time with the animals however you want to. Whether that is cuddling, walking, taking pictures, writhing bios, doing playgroups, etc. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for advice, we’re all one big family here.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VOLUNTEER LIKE DARIUS?