Maggi Schierloh
“PAWS is special because it supports pet ownership in communities that don’t have as many resources for basic pet care. Providing vaccinations, spay/neuter services, and pet food pantries has helped more pets find loving homes,”
Between work, travel and hobbies, Maggi Schierloh doesn’t have time for a pet of her own. However, “On the first day of my retirement, I will fill out the adoption forms and start looking for one or two cats to bring home and spoil rotten,” says Maggi.
In the meantime, Maggi gets her kitty fix by volunteering at PAWS Chicago. “I decided volunteering with PAWS would allow me to hang out with some wonderful pets and help them find their forever homes,” says Maggi.
Maggi spends most of her time at PAWS in Kitty City at the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center and as a TLC volunteer and First Shift Mentor at the Kocourek Medical Center. TLC volunteers are specially trained to work with pets who are in isolation while recovering from illness or injury.
“I love doing TLC shifts. The cats receive excellent medical care, but I think it’s also important for them to know that not every human is going to give them shots. I spend extra time with each one and give them ‘spa’ time with treats and scratches,” says Maggi.
But “spa” time can be dirty (yet adorable) work as well. Maggi explains, "The intern and I were once asked if we could bathe six kittens. It was hilarious. The kittens definitely had the upper hand, but we managed to get them clean after one of the vets gave us some pro tips. ‘Kitten burritos’ are the cutest thing on this planet.”
Maggi also has a unique talent. She says, “I speak German, and I talk to the cats in German when I’m socializing with them. They don’t seem to mind.”
Beyond her hands-on work as a volunteer, Maggi is a huge supporter of PAWS Chicago’s Community Outreach programs.
“PAWS is special because it supports pet ownership in communities that don’t have as many resources for basic pet care. Providing vaccinations, spay/neuter services, and pet food pantries has helped more pets find loving homes,” says Maggi.
In her free time, Maggi enjoys reading, biking, strength training, running, swimming, and traveling. Which is why she appreciates that “there are PAWS volunteer roles suited to everyone’s talents, interests, and schedules.”
Interested in becoming a volunteer like Maggi? She can’t recommend it enough.
“The other volunteers are awesome people, and you get to see so many happy endings when a pet goes home with their new family,” says Maggi.