April Volunteers of the Month Joyfully Help Keep Pets in Loving Homes

There is a group of volunteers at the SPCA of Texas who show up not just for the animals, but also for the people who love them. Aimee Early, Erin Meyers, Jesus Reyes, and Kathryn Rosemeier are a part of that group and together this crew makes up our extraordinary Community Impact Team. We are thrilled to celebrate them as SPCA of Texas April Volunteers of the Month.

In 2026 alone, this group collectively has logged 156.5 volunteer hours—and the year is just getting started. What makes their contribution so special is not just the time they give, but where and how they give it. These four individuals show up with passion, purpose, and a genuine love for both the animals in our care and the community members who depend on us.

When most people think of shelter volunteering, they picture walking dogs and cuddling cats. And while that is absolutely part of the picture, the Community Impact Team reminds us that the SPCA of Texas serves people just as much as it serves pets.

Much of these volunteers’ work centers around the weekly Tuesday Pet Food Pantry, a program that provides food and supplies to community members who need a helping hand keeping their beloved pets fed and cared for. It is quiet, meaningful work that does not always make headlines, but the impact is felt deeply by every person who walks through that door.

Erin, who began her SPCA journey as a foster in April 2025, describes what she witnesses at the pantry every week with words that you can’t forget. “You can see the relief and appreciation on people’s faces each time you hand them food or supplies,” she shares. “For some, this is more than just a bag of food. It is one less worry that week, one less thing keeping them up at night. It is a no-questions-asked interaction that truly makes a difference for them and their pets.”

That single observation captures everything the Community Impact Team stands for. No judgment. No barriers. Just showing up and making things a little easier for someone who needs it.

For Erin, the path to volunteering began with fostering. Each time she came in to pick up a new foster kitten or supplies, she found herself moved by what she saw. “I was blown away by how hardworking and empathetic the staff and volunteers were,” she says. “I could see how much care and work went into every interaction, and I too wanted to be a part of supporting the amazing work being done at the SPCA of Texas.”

That desire to be part of something meaningful is exactly what drives the entire Community Impact team. and it shows in the consistency and care they bring to every single shift.

One of the most beautiful things about the Team’s perspective on volunteering is their honesty about what they receive in return. “Volunteering isn’t just one sided,” they note. “We give our time and skills, but we get back just as much in refreshing our mental health, talking and laughing with staff and volunteers, and having a break from other daily stressors.”

That is the quiet magic of this work. You come to give, and somewhere along the way, you realize you are receiving something equally valuable.

Erin’s favorite memory speaks to that perfectly. Her very first foster was a six-month-old kitten struggling to trust people—a cat the team worried might never find his forever home. With patience and love, he slowly began to open up. And on the day he met his potential adopter, something remarkable happened. “The once fearful and hissy kitten melted in his arms,” Erin recalls. “I will never forget how happy everyone in that room was to see that success story.”

If you have ever thought about volunteering but were not sure if there was a place for you, the Community Impact Team has a message worth hearing. “There is so much more than meets the eye with the variety of volunteering opportunities. Any skill, interest, or passion you have can make an impact.”

Aimee, Jesus, Kathryn, and Erin, thank you for showing up every week with your whole hearts, for the animals, for the community, and for every person who walks through our doors needing a little help. You are exactly what the SPCA of Texas is all about.