Jeff Goode

What originally drew you to PAWS Chicago?

Since moving to Chicago I was always looking for a worthy charitable organization. We started fostering and I saw what PAWS does for Chicago. That made my decision to help PAWS be the best very easy. I started volunteering with PAWS in January 2014.

Do you have a primary focus when you volunteer?

Since I started by fostering, my primary focus is at PAWS Chicago’s Rescue & Recovery Center. However, I do enjoy the off-site volunteer opportunities, such as Animal Magnetism and Shamrock Shuffle.

Is there a favorite experience that has stood out during your time as a volunteer at PAWS Chicago?

Being a volunteer at the Rescue & Recovery Center and a transport volunteer, I have probably had too many special experiences that I can list. I am blessed enough to be able to get to know and safely transport a number of the cats and dogs. I get to see them from the time they receive their spay/neuter surgeries to them leaving the Adoption Center for their forever homes. It gives me a great sense of pride to see all those who are adopted each week that I helped get to that point.

How does what do you do for a career apply to what you do as a volunteer?

I am a disabled veteran and IT Network Specialist. I think my time in the military gives me a great understanding of the things that need to be done to make a successful and diligent volunteer.

Why do you volunteer for PAWS Chicago?

I volunteer with PAWS because I care about the animals and truly believe in what PAWS is doing. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride that helping all these animals gives me. I truly think that I am the lucky one for being able to help the animals.

Do you have any pets at home?

We foster on a continuous basis, we are in the middle of the adoption process of a senior cat from CACC that PAWS is assisting with, and we have two 12 year-old-cats at home as well.

Have you participated in any PAWS Chicago special events?

I volunteered at the Animal Magnetism, Shamrock Shuffle, and am already on the list for volunteering at Run for Their Lives. 

What value has volunteering at PAWS Chicago brought you? 

Volunteering at PAWS has brought me a greater appreciation of life and pride in myself. I truly am blessed to be able to give my time to help in such a wonderful and needed organization.I would encourage every single person that volunteers to get one other person/friend to foster, adopt, and/or volunteer. If we all brought one friend into the organization, we could make Chicago a “No Kill City” in no time. Spread the word at every turn in your life and wear your PAWS shirts with pride and to make them a conversation starter everywhere you go.