Volunteer Spotlight: Adrienne Jonas Celebrates 30 Years at PAWS

Every week clients look forward to hearing Adrienne’s voice over the phone. She is often described as “a good humanitarian” who is “smart, compassionate, and extremely helpful.” Earlier this spring we were deeply honored to celebrate Adrienne’s 20 years of service with PAWS. Staff sat down with Adrienne last week to uncover how this canine and feline loving champion of PAWS manages to do it all.

Adrienne Jonas will be the first to tell you, when she thinks of beloved animals and the bond with their two-legged human companions, she can get emotional. From sweet Figaro—the feline love of her life (with a heart-shaped marking on his side to prove it!)—to her 11-year-old pup Bamboo “Boo” (recently adopted from Muttville), it’s no surprise she has touched more than a few lives during her 20 years of volunteering at PAWS.

A native of England, Adrienne got her start in San Francisco on a trip from Canada to Los Angeles in 1957. Originally intending on making the move to L.A., she quickly realized the one-day stopover in San Francisco had left its mark and promptly returned to the city by the Bay. Trained as a secretary, she got a job at Levi’s earning $300 a month. Eventually Adrienne grew to work as Purchasing Manager for all “labels, buttons, and baubles” on denim, working at Levi’s a total of 38½ years before retiring. It was not until a summer concert at Stern Grove in 1997, just after retirement, that Adrienne’s journey with PAWS began.

Representatives from PAWS were at a table in the Grove during the concert and caught Adrienne’s eye. At the time, PAWS was run by two full-time staff and an army of volunteers. Soon, Adrienne joined that army. Over the past 20 years, Adrienne has held a bevy of volunteer roles. Early clients might remember her working the reception desk of the office, back in the years when PAWS staff and volunteers had to knock on the door of the tenant upstairs to use the restroom.  Since then Adrienne has also assisted in data entry and computer work. Today, Adrienne is a regular and welcome feature in PAWS’ clients lives. Weekly, she makes calls to clients who receive food delivery from the PAWS pet food bank, although the conversation often touches on much more than quantities of pet food and cat litter. To be a constant voice on the other end of the telephone line on such a regular basis is a powerful part of the role, and Adrienne creates the space for clients who love to talk, or just want the wisdom and ear of a fellow pet lover.

Outside of PAWS, Adrienne has championed an expanded role of the human-animal bond in her own residence--a large community that was without pet-friendly staples such as a dog run. Adrienne started a pet club bringing together the 18 dogs and 18 cats—and their human companions—to further enhance the well-being of all.  For Adrienne, it comes back to the heart of the matter—the bond that exists within the two- and four-legged family. 

The PAWS family is truly lucky to have such a champion. Adrienne, for your 20 years of service, we thank you!