May Volunteer of the Month Supports Mission in All She Does to Help Our Furry Friends

With her boundless love for animals and unwavering dedication, SPCA of Texas’ May Volunteer of the Month Brenda Wilk has become a lifeline for countless precious lives in need.

Brenda’s love and respect for animals is palpable from the moment you meet her. Her eyes light up with joy as she interacts with her four-legged (and three-legged) friends at the shelter—especially the cats in the Kitten ACATemy. “This amazing volunteer works in our Kitten ACATemy every week,” wrote one of her nominators. “She helps consistently and loves on our moms and babies. Brenda has been a volunteer for a long time and should be recognized for being amazing and devoting her time to the Kitten ACATemy and so much more!”

Brenda has had a deep love of animals all her life and began volunteering with SPCA of Texas in December of 2014. She was drawn to the organization because of the great need for animal welfare assistance in her community. “There are so many needy animals in and around Dallas and we all need to chip in to make a difference in their lives,” she said. “And as an added perk, my favorite color is purple!”

Brenda says that volunteering also keeps her from “bringing home every stray I see,” noting that one of her favorite memories of volunteering at SPCA of Texas happened several years ago. “Fifteen puppies (all fully vaccinated) had been in quarantine for a long period of time,” she remembered. “On their day of release the behavior group volunteers took them all out to the play yards and let them run and crawl all over us!”

One of Brenda’s favorite SPCA of Texas pups is Sloma. “He is the sweetest and wiggliest boy,” she said. “Although he only has three legs Sloma manages to get around quite well, and he loves treats and to jump up beside you for pets.”

Whether it’s a timid cat or a boisterous pup, Brenda has an innate ability to connect with them on a profound level, earning their trust and affection in return. It is this genuine empathy that makes her a cherished volunteer, not only among staff members and her fellow volunteers but also among the animals for whom she cares. Brenda’s patience and nurturing nature ensure each animal receives the love and attention they deserve, helping them heal emotionally as well as physically.

“I’d been taking care of Juniper and her babies in the Kitten ACATemy for a long time when she finally quit giving me the death stare and let me pet her head,” Brenda smiled. “I almost broke into tears.”

Brenda’s impact is far-reaching, as her dedication has led to successful adoptions and heartwarming transformations. “I love to see updates on the animals that have been adopted, especially the ones I personally worked with and to see what a difference a happy home makes for them,” Brenda smiled. “And also, to see cats and dogs come out of their shells after a little TLC.

“I have had people tell me I saved their lives by introducing them to an animal,” she added.

Brenda’s other nominators hit the nail on the head when they wrote that Brenda “helps in every department with love, is a wonderful volunteer and supports our mission every day.”