Volunteer of the Month: Shannon Studt

Shannon Studt has been a dedicated volunteer/foster parent for Last Hope since 2015. She began by fostering dogs and has taken in 21 foster dogs over the years. Her favorites are the senior dogs. According to Shannon, “They are able to work their way into my heart and I feel blessed to have had so many.” She also appreciates the families who keep in touch with her after the adoption and provide updates on how the dogs are doing and send pictures.

Shannon also helps out at events when her schedule allows. She’s been in parades, helped at Barks & Brew (our major annual fundraiser), worked at getting sponsors for events, and collected donations for silent auctions. And during COVID, she offered the use of her barn for storage of donated cans and bottles until Can Shed opened again. Shannon also helps by using Amazon Smile when she shops, using the ResQWalk app when walking, and donating her used cans and bottles to the Last Hope account at Can Shed. “When there is an opportunity to help out, I like to do it.”

Shannon says, “I love volunteering for Last Hope because they share the same philosophy that I do in caring for and saving animals. I would encourage everyone to get involved somehow. Adopt, foster, donate, or volunteer there is something for everyone. It’s easy to take the first step to get started just give them a call.” (You can find our volunteer application at https://adopthope.org/get-involved/ and our foster application at https://adopthope.org/foster-a-pet/)

As if all that didn’t keep her busy enough, Shannon also advocates for animals. She protested the circus that recently came to Cedar Rapids. She is also a part of the organization Bailing Out Benji which works to educate people about puppy mills on the local, state, and national levels. Shannon recently joined the area director of The Paw Project to educate and try to stop the inhumane practice of declawing (de-knuckling) cats. She says, “Education is key and it’s something I enjoy doing.”

As you can see, Shannon is a dynamic and dedicated volunteer and voice for the animals. Thank you, Shannon, for ALL you do!