Volunteer of the Year Award for 2004
June 22, 2005. Two and four-legged heroes from around the province were honoured by the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at its 2005 Awards Ceremony held recently in Nanaimo. The annual BC SPCA Awards recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the plight of homeless, injured and abused animals in BC.

Melissa and Amy Medve (Victoria), Co-Winners, Volunteer of the Year.
The work of the BC SPCA would not be possible without the more than 4,000 volunteers who give so generously of their time and energy to make life better for the animals in our care.

This year, a dynamic sister team from the Victoria Branch has been chosen as the Society's Volunteers of the Year. Melissa and Amy Medve are two young women who have gone far beyond the call of duty to help animals in need.

They began volunteering 18 months ago as dog walkers and faithfully show up at the shelter three-to-four evenings a week to make sure the dogs get exercise and to take dogs to obedience and agility classes. Melissa and Amy spend their entire weekends at the shelter, always working with the dogs who have the most challenges. Often they will spend hours just sitting quietly in the kennels with new, frightened dogs, helping to calm them. They have also taken over the training of new dog-walking volunteers to ensure that volunteers are always available to help the animals.

When the small animal rooms at the Victoria Shelter became overcrowded Melissa and Amy went out and bought more pens with their own money so that the animals could be housed in more humane conditions; and they've spent hours caring for the small animals to ensure all their needs are met.

Melissa and Amy spent their Christmas Holidays at the local mall, organizing and staffing the pet photos with Santa booth, and they've spent countless hours out in the community at other times raising funds and promoting the SPCA events and activities.

When the Victoria Shelter recently held their 40th Anniversary Party the volunteer in charge of the event had to step down at the last minute. Amy and Melissa immediately agreed to take over. Not only did they organize a superb celebration with very little notice, but they even spent six hours at the shelter on Amy's 21st birthday pulling weeds from the gardens to make sure the shelter looked as nice as possible for the guests who were coming for the anniversary party.

Amy and Melissa have been deeply involved in every aspect of the Victoria Shelter, from direct animal care to fundraising to community awareness. They give their hearts and souls to the animals and we are delighted to honour them as our 2005 Volunteers of the Year.

"The SPCA could not carry out its mandate without the dedication and support of amazing volunteers, staff, veterinarians and other members of the community who give generously of their time and skills to help the animals," said Craig Daniell, CEO of the BC SPCA. "It is our privilege to recognize the efforts of those who have made an exceptional contribution to the lives of animals in British Columbia."