Volunteer Spotlight: Susan McKenna and Laurie Bloom

When people mentioned Pet Peeves to them, Susan McKenna and Laurie Bloom listened.

McKenna heard about the nonprofit, which raises funds for shelters and rescue groups caring for animals in need, from a very enthusiastic friend.

"She said: 'You got to get involved in this organization. You're an animal lover, you're going to love it!' I thought, I'm an animal lover; anything that's going to help animals -- they need a voice."

McKenna, of Farmingdale, has two rescued cats and is a financial adviser for Morgan Stanley. She is also one of Pet Peeves' founding members and is on the executive board. She chairs the development committee and works with the grant writer to secure grants.

"I embrace the mission: rescue animals, humane education and pet therapy," she added. "I'm passionate about it. Throughout the year we're actively involved in the fundraising and raising awareness."

And she's got company. Bloom, of Brightwaters, received a personal invitation to join the cause from the nonprofit's founder, Janine Dion, and became one of its earliest volunteers.

"My friend, Janine, told me what she was doing and asked me to participate," Bloom recalled. "I thought it was a fantastic idea, long overdue. I've always had a passion for animals, and anything I can do to help, I'm on board. I really want to find a solution to the unwanted puppies and kittens and other animals that are homeless, and I want responsible ownership. That's my own personal thing."

She became part of the solution by adopting a mother cat and her three kittens from Brooklyn Animal Care & Control. When she's not volunteering with Dion's group, Bloom is director of marketing and communications for the law firm Rivkin Radler. At Pet Peeves she chairs the group's public relations committee, "making decisions, pre-screening grant recipients and bringing the findings to the full board.

"We want to make sure we're responsible about how the money is utilized, what organizations we give it to," Bloom said. "We do site evaluations before we provide grants. There's a lot involved."

SIGN ME UP

Pet Peeves is dedicated to raising funds for shelters and rescue groups caring for animals in need. The only requirement to join is compassion, said Janine Dion, the nonprofit's founder. "There are no dues, no membership and no minimum donation," she said. "Pet Peeves raises funds to support Long Island's struggling animal shelters and rescue groups and to support humane education in schools and pet therapy programs in hospitals."

Contact: Volunteer coordinator Cindy Aronstam; cindy@cindyaronstam.com

YOU MIGHT CONSIDER . . .

PRICELESS PARROT PRESERVE. For more than 20 years, Gene and Marietta Avery have provided a permanent home for mistreated macaws and other exotic birds, including some endangered species, at their Ridge preserve. Volunteers help the couple clean cages, change water and feed more than 100 birds. The Averys raise money for the birds' care by showing them at birthday parties. "Financial help is always good," Gene Avery said.

Contact: Gene Avery, 631-924-8725

AMARYLLIS FARM EQUINE RESCUE AND SANCTUARY in Southampton describes itself as "Long Island's only senior and special-needs horse sanctuary." It currently houses more than 40 animals. The group intercepts horses bound for slaughterhouses, takes them in and rehabilitates them. It does the same for former carriage horses and those used for shows, races and police work. The sanctuary is also a hospice and educational facility.

Contact: 631-537-7335; Christine@amaryllisfarm.com

For more volunteer information and opportunities, contact:

LONG ISLAND VOLUNTEER CENTER at 516-564-5482; longislandvolunteercenter.org