Alex Monen has been volunteering with Greenhill since December 2010, and has since donated over 200 hours of volunteer time to helping Greenhill’s animals. He has become an integral part of the cattery team, volunteering multiple days a week and helping to socialize cats and kittens, as well as helping to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the cats.

Alex came to Greenhill because he wanted to make a difference in the community, particularly within the feline world. He shared, “Since I was born, my family has always had multiple cats, so I have always been closely knitted with these furry little four legged creatures. When volunteering at Greenhill Humane Society, I make a conscious effort to do all of the tasks that volunteers are entrusted to participate in within the cattery. This includes washing dishes, doing laundry, scooping, dumping and cleaning litter boxes, assisting potential adopters, and spending time socializing with the cats to encourage an easy, comfortable, and happy environment for them while they stay here.”

Alex’s favorite part of volunteering is helping to make a difference with cats that need extra socialization with people. He enjoys the experience of showing these shy cats the patience and positive reinforcement that they need in order to come out of their shells and flourish.

He added, “Volunteering at Greenhill has changed my life in so many positive ways. The experience that being a volunteer has given me has opened my eyes as to what career path that I am sure I want to pursue. I can’t think of anything that I would rather do for a living more than advocating for and assisting my feline buddies.”

Alex was born and raised in a small town in Southern Oregon. When he was 18 years old, he moved to Eugene and started taking courses at Lane Community College. “I owe a lot to my brother, who first inspired me to start volunteering with animals and encouraged me to harness the confidence to become less shy and fully committed in the workplace.” When not volunteering at Greenhill, Alex enjoys spending time with the three cats that he shares with his brother at their apartment. He also enjoys road biking, reading, drawing, backpacking in the summer and skateboarding.