Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, Riverside, CA, Names Leean Bitterolf Volunteer of the Year

Online, April 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) has presented its 2010 Friend of the Animals Award to Leean Bitterolf of Riverside as the organization's volunteer of the year. She received the award at the Adoption Center's recent annual volunteer recognition luncheon.

In five years as a volunteer, Bitterolf, a retired high school English, German and ESL teacher, has become very involved in several programs at MSRPAC (formerly Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center). She works with dogs in the agility program and boot camp, is a Pet Behavior Helpline volunteer, and more recently took on the job as coordinator of the new Chuck Waggin' Pet Meals program. She also gives of her time at various fundraising events.

"Leean's knowledge of dog behavior and her calm and gentle way with people are wonderful assets to our organization and to the community as a whole," says Jackie Lamirande, volunteer services manager for MSRPAC. "We're proud to present this year's Friend of the Animals Award to her."

Bitterolf is a handler for two classes in the dog agility program, in addition to designing and setting up the course for the classes. She's also a volunteer in the center's boot camp for dogs. Both of these programs have helped increase the adoptability of many dogs, with the agility program recently realizing its 300th dog being adopted.

Bitterolf, who has two active dogs and three cats of her own, serves on the Pet Behavior Helpline, which is a free call-in service for the public, assisting both dog and cat owners with their pet-related problems.

As coordinator of MSRPAC's Chuck Waggin' Pet Meals program, Bitterolf and a team of volunteers receive, sort and portion cat and dog food donated by retailers, organizations and individuals, then deliver it to Riverside Meals on Wheels. The pet food is then delivered by Meals on Wheels volunteers, of which Bitterolf is one, to their clients with pets.

According to Bitterolf, the Chuck Waggin' program has become so successful in the five months it's been in operation, they're currently taking applications from other organizations which serve homebound and disabled people who need help feeding their pets.

MSRPAC isn't the only recipient of Bitterolf's generous spirit. In the summer months, she's a volunteer fire lookout host for the San Bernardino National Forest Service serving at Black Mountain Fire Lookout near Idyllwild. She's also a volunteer with the Riverside Emergency Animal Rescue System.

For information on becoming a volunteer with MSRPAC or to download an application form, visit www.petsadoption.org, or call Lamirande at 951-688-4340 x306.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond. As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies. Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped. Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization. The center is located at 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside.