We Couldn’t Do It Without You: Celebrating Our Volunteer Family

By Michelson Found Animals

At Michelson Found Animals, our mission to support pets and their people wouldn’t be possible without one powerful force—our volunteers.

From Better Neighbor Project (BNP) events in the heart of our communities to busy days at our warehouse prepping supplies, these compassionate changemakers give their time, energy, and heart to ensure that pets and families receive the love, care, and resources they deserve.

This National Volunteer Month, and especially during National Volunteer Week (April 20–26, 2025), we are proud to shine a light on the people who show up, lift up, and never give up.

More Than Volunteers—They’re Family

Since launching the Better Neighbor Project in 2020, our volunteers have fulfilled over 7,233 volunteer hours of service, helping us reach and support over 150,000 pets and families. That’s not just dedication—it’s love in action.

“I shouldn’t call them volunteers, they are our family. We could not run our community events without them. I’ve seen volunteers jump in and support us in so many ways. Whether it’s getting all our pets into foster homes during the pandemic to supporting us during the wildfires this year, our volunteers were life-savers. They step in without question, in any way, behind the scenes and in the community. They have impacted our community in ways they don’t even know.”
— Jessica Esguerra, Senior Program Coordinator, Better Neighbor Project

Our volunteers do so much more than lend a helping hand. They are voices for animals who can’t speak for themselves. They are friendly faces that bring comfort to community members. They are the quiet heroes making sure our work touches as many lives as possible.

Volunteer Roles Include:

Pet Food & Supplies Packing – Getting essentials ready for distribution to pet families in need
Pet Pantry Community Ambassadors – Being the friendly face of pet care access
Community Events Support – Helping run our free pet wellness days, pop-ups, and outreach events

From left to right: Volunteers Sarah, Bonnie, Ana, and Stacy at a BNP Pet Wellness Event

“One of the reasons I volunteer is because these pets don’t have a voice, and they need to be represented. I try to make it out every time there is a need—and will continue to as long as I can.”
— Sarah Vasquez, Volunteer

“Everyone is so much fun, great attitudes, always a positive spirit. Everyone is welcome, everyone can help. BNP always has successful events and you always feel like your time is being put to good use. The team is just amazing.”
— Bonnie Jaffe, Volunteer

“Everyone is great, they’re all so supportive. Anything we need, they’re there for us. I really enjoy seeing people so happy with the services BNP provides—it’s just amazing.”
— Melissa Cruz, Volunteer

From left to right: Volunteers Melissa & Paola. Ruben, Victoria, and Martin from our BNP team. Volunteers Alex and Snoopy

To Every Volunteer, Thank You.

To every person who has packed a bag of food, handed out a leash, or simply offered a smile—thank you.

You are the heart of the Better Neighbor Project, and the reason we can continue making a real difference—one paw, one person, one act of kindness at a time.

From all of us at Michelson Found Animals: we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you.

Want to get involved?
If you’ve been thinking about volunteering but weren’t sure where to start, we invite you to join us. You’ll be welcomed with open arms, and your time will make a meaningful impact—for both pets and people.

To learn more about volunteering with us, visit foundanimals.org