Meet Our Volunteers

Most people in rescue are "volunteers." Just plain, ordinary folks who, for love of a particular dog or a particular breed, decide they must find a way to help with rescue efforts. We at UMR are very fortunate to have some wonderful volunteers who are always there with a helping hand, a kind thought, and an open heart. We are blessed with folks who are willing to do whatever is needed to help out. We'd like you to meet them.

deb with matti
Debbie Birtwistle

Debbie (and her husband, David) are the best! Debbie not only fosters for us at the drop of a hat, but is always there to offer good advice, check local shelters to see if any Maltese need our help, or drive "halfway to Texas" to pick up a dog in need. It was Debbie and David who fostered our Matti for 5 months (see Matti's New Beginning story) and turned a starving, frightened girl around with an abundance of patience, love, concern, and care. Debbie also left her office in the middle of the day last summer to pick up a little Maltese puppy who was found wandering in traffic by someone who called UMR for help. She contacted every shelter in the area, posted flyers, and read every local paper hoping to reunite this little guy with his family. When no one claimed him, Debbie fostered him until we could get him through the neutering process and find him a perfect home. Finally, Debbie is always willing to lend us emotional support during times of stress, which helps more than anyone could know. Our hats are off to Debbie and David! Thank you both for all you do for UMR.

ronda
Ronda Linck

Ronda is one hard-working woman! In addition to raising her family, working, and caring for "hearth and home," she still finds time to help us out at UMR. When we wanted to contact shelters in our local area to let them know we were available to help with re-homing any Maltese that came to them, Ronda called and faxed about 50 MD/VA/DC area shelters in 2 days! She also has fostered several dogs for us, even though she has 5 dogs of her own. Ronda will do whatever is needed to re-train a foster before we re-home him. One of the dogs she fostered had separation anxiety so badly that we didn't know how we'd ever place him. If he could see you, but couldn't "touch you," he did a whole screaming/spinning routine. If he couldn't see you, he "did his business" all over the house. Ronda worked with her vet to develop some behavior modification techniques, tried some flower remedies we suggested, and used a lot of ingenuity to bring Bambino around. In a few months, we were able to place him in a wonderful forever home. A week later, she had another foster to watch over until placement. Ronda is another volunteer who will drive to kingdom come to pick up a dog in need at any hour of the day or night. She is a real asset to UMR and can always be counted on in an emergency. Thanks for all the help, Ronda.

audrey and daisy
Audrey Mullen

We tease Audrey about being the "rescue bridesmaid." Audrey has volunteered to foster half a dozen dogs for us, but each time, at the last minute, for some reason, we don't need a foster. But Audrey just hangs in there and waits. It was Audrey who was going to foster our dear little Cricket for us. But, instead of heading for Audrey's home, Cricket went Home to the Bridge instead. Time after time, Audrey was prepared and "her" dog didn't show up. But Audrey didn't give up. She just said, "well whenever you need me, I'm here. Call any time, I will be there for you." And sure enough, finally, Buttons came along and needed Audrey. No more the "rescue bridesmaid," Audrey finally had a baby to care for. She took him to the vet to be neutered, checked with friends and neighbors to find someone to adopt him, and gave him the love he needed to be ready for his new home. Thanks Audrey for your patience and for your help.

Ginger Chamberlain

Ginger is a long-time friend and supporter of UMR. She's been a valuable part of our rescue from its inception, providing us with helpful suggestions, supporting us behind the scenes, and making home visits for us in VA. In fact, Ginger made our very first home visit and based on her experiences helped us develop our Home Evaluation checklist and report. Ginger has a special talent for developing concrete processes from "hazy" ideas and for making everyone she comes in contact with feel comfortable and welcome. She has helped us accomplish many of our goals, managing to find time to help us out despite a job that requires a lot of travel and the need to care for her own little Maltese kids and husband. Ginger you are one in a million! Thanks for all you do for us.

UMR 2001Š