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Volunteer Spotlight
In Chenoa Manor's Volunteer Spotlight, we recognize the individuals who are making a difference for the organization and our animals. We recently spoke with Maryanne Appel, a dedicated supporter and Chenoa Manor volunteer.
- CM: What are some of the earliest memories that helped shape your current feeling about animals?
- MA: From the age of 3 or 4, and much to my mother's distress, I would bring home stray cats. A turtle was my first "pet," and throughout the years, my brother and I had a variety of animals, including pigeons, ducks, chickens, snakes, rabbits, and dogs.
- CM: Whom do you credit as some individuals that helped inspire you?
- MA: My very first inspiration was my Aunt Mary, who although she and my uncle lived close to the poverty level, took in stray dogs and always had quite a number of them at the same time. My second inspiration came from seeing cows trucked to a slaughterhouse, so although he was not aware of it, the truck driver stirred an awareness of the cruelties imposed on animals. My next inspiration came from a source to whom I am forever grateful, and that is the author (whoever you are, I thank you!) of an article about animals raised for "food". I immediately became a vegetarian. There are many more, but the list is much too long to mention everyone here.
- CM: What helps you get through the day?
- MA: The support of my husband Steve is foremost. And then there is the plight of animals, which is always on my mind: Doing my best to alleviate their suffering sees me through the mental anguish I feel for them each and every day. My animal companions, currently five rats, two dogs, and a gerbil, are a source of comfort, also. As their caretaker, seeing how they accept their lot in life without question and how they go about their everyday activities without complaint, are great sources of inspiration.
- CM: If people were to remember one thing about you, what would you hope that to be?
- MA: That I tried to make a difference, and that, above everything and everyone else, my greatest love and most tender feelings, were for those innocents who are so thoughtlessly mistreated, whether for profit or pleasure.
- CM: Do you have any advice for other animal advocates?
- MA: Do whatever you can, in whatever way you can, because the animals need each and every one of us. But the most important action one can take on behalf of animals is to become vegan.
Posted: 5/25/2007