Hollister
– The moment Teresa Arizmendi and her family enter the gated
enclosure, they are swamped by dozens of cats who brush up against
their legs, meowing and purring.
Hollister – The moment Teresa Arizmendi and her family enter the gated enclosure, they are swamped by dozens of cats who brush up against their legs, meowing and purring.
The felines want attention and know the family is here to provide it.
This outdoor enclosure is one of many areas ruled by cats at Pet Friends, located off Highway 156. The cats, abandoned by their owners, live in the feline sanctuary with no risk of euthanasia if a new owner cannot be found. Volunteers like Teresa Arizmendi and her family spend many hours every week improving the quality of life for the pets at the shelter.
The organization is almost entirely run by volunteers like the Arizmendi family. Teresa Arizmendi started volunteering with Pet Friends in 2003. She encouraged her daughter Eva to find a nonprofit that she could volunteer for during her free time.
“My husband and I really believe it’s important for kids to be busy and volunteer. That way, they’re not always worrying about themselves; they’re contributing and giving to others,” Teresa Arizmendi said.
Because at the time Eva Arizmendi was not yet 16, she needed an adult to volunteer along with her, so Teresa Arizmendi also began volunteering weekly. Soon, both mother and daughter were hooked on taking care of the animals.
“Leading by example is a good thing,” Teresa Arizmendi said. “They have to see mom and dad do that kind of stuff too.”
Now, three years later, the entire Arizmendi family is a regular fixture at the shelter.
Ricardo Arizmendi, 14, volunteers between four and five hours a week with Pet Friends, feeding the animals, walking the dogs and petting the cats – and even performing the less enjoyable task of emptying litter boxes.
Although some of the tasks may seem thankless, Ricardo Arizmendi said he gets satisfaction out of giving the pets some much-needed attention.
“My favorite part is making the animals happy,” Ricardo Arizmendi said. “The cats and dogs give me gratitude.”
Eva Arizmendi, 18, now has a part-time position working at the shelter and volunteers for much of the remainder of her spare time, either taking kittens home to foster them or coming in extra hours to brush and care for the cats.
Angela Arizmendi, 19, volunteers in the expansive garden at Pet Friends and spends time with the animals.
“The whole family is very supportive of the organization,” said Gayle Jackson, president of the Pet Friends board.
The organization is always in need of more volunteers, Jackson said.
“We need volunteers for socializing the pets, walking the dogs, and going out and playing with the cats,” Jackson said. “It’s nice to have a wide range of people to come out and play with the pets. They make better pets if they’re exposed to more people.”
Teresa Arizmendi said she hopes to continue volunteering with Pet Friends and hopes her children will be lifelong volunteers as well.
“You learn that giving feels good,” Teresa Arizmendi said. “It’s the little tiny things: Taking care of a sick animal, especially the kittens. To stay up all night with it and bottle feed it – it’s very rewarding.”
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at (831) 637-5566 ext. 336 or [email protected]
