The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Debbie Glover is the recipient of the February 2009 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Debbie Glover, our February Volunteer of the Month! Debbie has been involved with GRRA for longer than she can remember, and she stopped counting the number of dogs she's fostered at 200!

Debbie, and her late husband Jim, originally became involved with GRRA through fostering but realized it was difficult for their own dogs to adjust to foster dogs coming in and out of the home. Debbie lives in Rutledge, GA on 10-acres of land, and in 2002 she graciously allowed GRRA to build a halfway home on her property for retrievers who come to GRRA from animal shelters. The need for a quarantine facility was growing as few foster families have the ability to keep foster dogs, quarantined for ten days to insure that they haven't brought contagious diseases with them from the shelter, separate from their own pets. With the help of Habitat for Humanity, many hard-working volunteers and generous donations, the dream of a first-rate quarantine kennel came to life! Murphyville is named in honor of Debbie's first golden, Murphy, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge before she joined GRRA.

In 2005, GRRA received a phone call from a shelter near Rutledge GA asking to place a mom and her thirteen puppies, all of which were born in a shelter. Debbie took on the responsibility, but was worried some of the puppies would not survive. The puppies and Mamma Jean did survive, and Debbie enjoyed the experience so much she started fostering more of the soon-to-be-golden-moms! She's fostered dozens of pregnant dogs and has helped bring hundreds of GRRA adoptees into this world. She has 10 dogs of her own, two goldens and a golden-mix, and four horses. The newest addition to her permanent canine family is J.B., one of six puppies with whom she just couldn't part in December! Debbie is currently fostering GRRA's newest babies, nine three-week old goldens and their proud Momma!

Thank you, Debbie, for all of your hard work and dedication throughout the years.

Lori Kauffman, who passed away in 2007, was a GRRA™ volunteer who wanted to ensure that GRRA™ continued to do its valuable work. Lori wanted people to know, "Dogs are not disposable. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment. They are an equal part of the family".

If you are aware of a volunteer's efforts that exemplify what is needed to make our volunteer organization survive and thrive, please send a note to volunteer@grra.com. Monthly Nominations are due by the 17th of each month. Click here to see previous award winners.