Monthly Volunteer Profile: Alison SanFilippo MVP

Like so many Winnipeg Humane Society volunteers and staff, Alison SanFilippo has an unbridled love for all animals.

But for Alison it’s a passion around which much of her life has revolved. Her WHS volunteer service dates back almost two decades, she has two rescue dogs and four cats (three from the WHS) at home and, in addition, has her own pet sitting business.

“I began volunteering in the old building,” Alison explained. “I’ll be going into my 18^th year in October. I started as soon as my daughter was old enough to go to school.”

She’s a self-proclaimed advocate for the humane treatment of all animals. “I’ve signed countless petitions and letters supporting animal rights,” she said. “Loving animals is a passion for me.”

This passion is perhaps best illustrated by the love and dedication she has shown to her pets. In 2010 Alison discovered a tiny kitten crying in a parking lot. “I took him to the vet to see if anyone had reported him missing and to make sure he was alright or if he had a chip identifier” she said. “No one claimed him, so I said, ‘I’ll take him.’ He was just a tiny thing, and the vet warned me that he had distemper. He was vomiting and wasn’t eating or drinking. The vet gave me less than 10% chance of his survival. I wanted to do everything I possibly could to help save him. I asked the vet to show me how to administer the subcutaneous fluids and I pulled a few all-nighters together and today – some 13 years later he’s now about 13 pounds – a big boy.” They named him Vinnie after Vincent Van Gogh because part of his left ear had been lost, to possibly an attack by crows.

Heidi is one of two rescue Rottweilers owned by Alison. She was picked up from a community in northern Manitoba in 2018 and was ‘an awful mess,’ according to Alison. Her coat was matted, she was malnourished and did not look well at all. “I was working in the back as a Kennel Buddy at that time, working with the dogs and I saw her,” Alison explained. “Her eyes met mine and that was it. I’ve always had a passion for Rottweilers – they are my favourite breed, but they get a bad wrap.”

In addition to Rottweilers Heidi and Hank and cat Vinnie, Alison also has three other cats -. Dexter, Minnie and Georgie.

Her lengthy volunteer career means Alison has held a variety of positions with the WHS, but these days she’s coming in for two shifts a week for the Behaviour department. She spends one shift each week as a Canine Behaviour Assistant, where she mentors new recruits, and she helps them with questions about how to fit and use the different dog walking paraphernalia or techniques on how to deal with different dog personalities.

She serves as a Feline Behaviour Assistant for one shift each week. In this position, she gets assigned a list of cats to visit and writes down notes about their behaviour. For example, is a particular cat shy, or a bit spicy? “I always take my cues from the animals,” Alison said. “They always let you know how far you can go and what they feel comfortable with.”

And if spending time at home with cats and dogs at home or at the Winnipeg Humane Society isn’t quite enough, Alison gets more attention from furry faced friends with her pet sitting business. “I look after my clients’ pets while the clients are away from home,” she explained. “I go to their homes, and I care for all their needs.

The one disadvantage of this pet sitting is watching them grow old and, eventually, crossing the rainbow bridge. “I get quite attached to my clients’ animals that are in my care. The loss of a client pet through old age or whatever affects me emotionally,” she pointed out.

This love for animals got its roots with Alison growing up in a family that always had dogs and cats. “I don’t remember, but I probably had a cat with me in my crib,” she laughed.

And it’s this passion that keeps Alison coming back to the Winnipeg Humane Society week after week. “The people there – volunteers and staff – are fantastic to work with. It’s very fulfilling to work with them and to spend time with the animals and get them ready for their new homes.”

Written by: Brian Kozak, Volunteer MVP Writer
Photo by: Jim Harvey, Volunteer MVP Photographer