SPCA of Texas October Volunteer of the Month Truly Dedicated to Improving Lives of Animals and Their Families

The SPCA of Texas October Volunteer of the Month, Shannon Smock, joined the volunteer team in early September of 2017. Since then, she has volunteered well over 1,000 hours with the organization.

Shannon had just signed up to volunteer with the SPCA of Texas when Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coastline. “I hadn’t been to any training or even orientation when I received an email requesting volunteers to come help set up a ‘mega shelter’ in the old, abandoned garage located across the street from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas,” she remembered.

“The SPCA of Texas, with assistance from the ASPCA and volunteers from Red Rover, created a safe place to care for the pets of Gulf Coast evacuees so they didn’t have to leave their beloved pets behind. The SPCA of Texas also took in animals from Houston shelters to make room in their shelters for their displaced animals,” Shannon said.

And that is how Shannon Smock began her volunteer career with the SPCA of Texas! She’s been going a mile a minute ever since.

“Shannon goes above and beyond for the SPCA of Texas!” wrote one nominator. “She was the hardest working member of the Ellis County Strut Your Mutt Committee and she gives and gives to our animals, all year long! Shannon fully supports our adoption events—I see her everywhere.”

The SPCA of Texas’ prior location played a major role in Shannon’s desire to volunteer with the shelter. “For many years, I saw volunteers walking dogs at the old location on Industrial Boulevard on my way to and from work in downtown Dallas and thought that I should be doing that!” she smiled.

Multiple nominators wrote about how dedicated Shannon is to helping the shelter animals find forever homes and matching them with the best loving families. “She is such an amazing person who will do any and everything for people and for the animals,” one noted. “Shannon is always volunteering for mobile adoption events,” wrote another nominator.

“Volunteering makes me feel happy and fulfilled,” smiled Shannon. “Especially when I can help an animal find a loving home and family!” These feelings shine through in Shannon’s expressions and in her actions when working with SPCA of Texas employees and shelter pets.

“Shannon has a huge heart,” wrote a nominator. “She is pure joy to be around and always has a positive attitude,” another nominator wrote.

Shannon might be the perfect ‘poster child’ for volunteer recruitment at the SPCA of Texas. Her many years of experience and the various areas in which she’s worked have given her a well-rounded view of the organizations’ goings on.

“There are literally hundreds of ways you can volunteer at the SPCA of Texas and training is provided!” she said. “I want others to know that you will make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people in our communities, and you will be working alongside people who share your passion for animals, which is an incredibly affirming feeling.”

One specific dog whose life Shannon has helped improve is Sasha. Shannon’s face lights up when she talks about this beauty!

“Sasha is the sweetest dog. She has completed heart worm treatment and is ready for a loving family of her own! She is calm and polite, friendly with people, kids and other dogs, she walks nicely on a leash and would make a wonderful companion for anyone seeking a loving, calm adult dog.

“Sasha has been to mobile adoption events and does really well meeting everyone. It makes me sad that she keeps getting overlooked and she just needs our help to get her noticed, appreciated for the wonderful girl that she is, and adopted!”

Shannon’s dedication to the animals, especially those that sometimes are overlooked, is what keeps her coming back to her volunteer work at the SPCA of Texas. And, she realizes that her contributions to their care really do make a difference in their futures.

“I’ve seen the transformation of animals who came to the SPCA of Texas from severe neglect and abuse cases and with the love and care from our medical, behavioral, animal care, foster, adoptions and volunteer teams eventually being able to live their best lives,” Shannon said. “Volunteering at adoption events, I see the happiness and joy our fur babies bring to their adopters.”