Volunteer Spotlight: Polly Ruf

Nearly 13 years ago, Polly Ruf was looking for a hands-on way to make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

She had been volunteering as a docent at the Saint Louis Zoo but was looking for an additional opportunity where she could interact with animals more directly.

She started volunteering at HSMO’s Chesterfield location, which was near her house.

“They didn’t have a feline enrichment program yet and I really wanted to help out, so despite the fact that I had never walked a dog I (with the help of some wonderful mentors) became a dog walker,” she recalls.

Polly has had cats her whole life, and when HSMO’s feline enrichment program started up, she migrated to working with them.

These days, she comes in once a week to HSMO’s Maryland Heights shelter to spend time with all the cats that are available for adoption.

“Our aim is to make them more at ease with people so they will get adopted more quickly,” she says, explaining the objective of the feline enrichment program. “We either engage with them in a get acquainted room, or if they are not comfortable coming out of their den, we just talk to them and pet them there.”

Her objective and motivation? To help every cat find the perfect family.

“When a cat that has been there a while becomes more relaxed and gets adopted, that makes me so happy and rewards me for volunteering,” she says. “Seeing the happiness of the families as they welcome a new animal into their lives really makes my day.”

Looking back on her favorite experiences over the years, Polly thinks about how she went from a person who hadn’t interacted much with dogs to becoming a dog walker and mentor to others. She also loves it when she can directly see a cat go from not wanting to be petted to purring on her lap.

“But I guess my favorite experience was at the beginning of my volunteer time when my husband and I adopted two wonderful cats!”

Polly recommends to people who are on the fence about volunteering to give it a try and see what part of the HSMO volunteer experience is a good fit for them.

“There are many different opportunities from walking dogs, doing canine or feline enrichment to working with the education department or as a volunteer at various events,” she says. “It is just so rewarding to know you are helping animals find a forever home.”

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at HSMO!