Home > Out of the Cage! > January/February 2006 > Volunteer Spotlight: An Interview with Sisters Melissa Jensen and Christine Weld

Volunteer Spotlight

An Interview with Sisters Melissa Jensen and Christine Weld

For the past two years, sisters and volunteers extraordinaire Melissa Jensen and Christine Weld have infused nearly every Mayor's Alliance/Maddie's adoption event with their own special energy. Born and raised on Staten Island, the sisters today live far away from each other. Melissa resides in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and works as a project manager for a financial service company. Late last year, Christine relocated to Vicenza, Italy, near the U.S. Army base at which her husband is stationed.

As we approach the 2006 Events season, we look forward to Melissa once again taking a lead in our event activities. And we hope that Christine might join us if and when she finds herself in the NYC area.

What prompted you to get involved with rescue animals?

Melissa: Our family has long been "dog people." Growing up, we had as many as four dogs at a time. Our parents frequently brought rescued animals into our home, and set an example that adoption was definitely the best option. Our work with the Mayors Alliance is a natural extension of this love for animals and a commitment to animal rescue.

How long have you been involved with the Mayor's Alliance?

Melissa: I discovered the Mayor's Alliance two years ago while looking to adopt a dog. The Alliance pointed me towards a number of great groups, and I found both a companion animal and an organization that I wanted to work with as a volunteer. I invited my sister to join me when she moved back to the New York area.

How did you first get involved; what attracted you to the Mayor's Alliance?

Melissa: I was very impressed with the goals of the Mayor's Alliance and the way the organization's staff conducted themselves. Their goal of collaboration makes so much sense given the animal welfare situation in New York City. I also liked that I could put my management and organizational skills to use with the Mayor's Alliance.

Christine: I like working with the Alliance since the organization has such far-reaching effects. The idea of working to coordinate the efforts of all the wonderful rescue groups in the city seemed like such a worthy effort. Also, my volunteer work had the added benefit of allowing me to spend time with my sister since we often volunteered together.

What volunteer activities have you most enjoyed?

Christine: We enjoy working at the adoption events — it's great to get involved with the communities around New York. It's a long day, but it's so gratifying to see current pet parents get their animals microchipped. And of course, seeing people connect with an animal looking for a home is wonderful!

Melissa: We've also volunteered at some of the awareness-raising and fund-raising events, like BROADWAY BARKS!, Yappy Hour and the Gay Pride Festival.

In what ways have your volunteer experiences been satisfying?

Christine: I like that the volunteer opportunities with the Alliance are so varied. I've helped out at Yappy Hour, assisted with BROADWAY BARKS!, and volunteered at adoption events. Each activity is different, and exposes me to more of the Alliance's efforts.

Do you volunteer with any other organizations?

Melissa: We occasionally volunteer with other animal rescue groups, and often make blankets for animals at our local animal shelter.

Tell us a little bit about your own companion animals.

Christine: After growing up in a house that always included dogs, I set out to find my own companion soon after I started living on my own in North Carolina. I rescued Sadie, a small, blond mixed breed from Second Chance, a private rescue group that works in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area. A young couple found her wandering the streets, and wanted to find a good home for her after efforts to locate her owners failed.

Melissa: I share my home with Lola, the world's smallest Pointer! Actually, she is a mixed breed, but, even though she's less than 20 pounds, she looks and acts like a true Pointer. The family who originally adopted Lola from the North Shore Animal League decided that they couldn't keep her due to a new baby in the house.

Our parents also have a Lab/Newfoundland mix named Kodi. Like Sadie, he was found wondering the streets. His owners were eventually located but they choose not to keep this wonderful boy. He's been a part of our family for nearly 10 years and is such a loving and entertaining dog!

Do you have any advice for someone considering volunteering with animals?

Christine: When people hear about the work I do with the Mayor's Alliance, they often comment that they would find it too difficult emotionally to volunteer with animals. I'd like to encourage people to look into all the different volunteer opportunities that exist within the animal rescue community. All sorts of skills are needed to help reach our goals, and there is lots of important work that can be done on behalf of animals that won't tug at your heartstrings.

For information about volunteering with the Mayor's Alliance or to complete a volunteer application online, click here. To find out about volunteer opportunities with any of the Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs), click here and select from the list of APOs.