East Quogue’s Gregory Ficara Named SASF Volunteer Of The Month

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) is paying tribute to Gregory Ficara of East Quogue – who was named SASF’s Volunteer of the Month for December.

The dedicated volunteer has been stopping by SASF to lend a hand weekly for the past three and a half years. Ficara can often be found in the SASF Catios (indoor cat patios). While he’s fond of all animals, Ficara tends to gravitate towards the feline SASFans, aiding with the socializing of cats that need a little extra time and care. The socializing process helps cats prepare to be adopted by getting them accustomed to being around humans.

“Greg was one of the first volunteers I met when I began working at SASF in 2019,” Crystal Monaco, Volunteer & Foster Coordinator at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, noted. “He was extremely welcoming and greeted me with a huge smile. I always look forward to the days that Greg comes to volunteer because he makes us laugh and lights up the shelter with his can-do attitude.”

SASF’s long-term residents are another focus of Ficara’s. He spoils cats that have been at the shelter awaiting their forever for more than a year with extra love, treats, and play. The cats loving wait to greet Ficara at the Catio doors.

“I like volunteering at the Southampton Animal Shelter two to three times a week because I like being with the animals there,” Ficara explained. “The cats and kittens are friendly, and I love to keep them company.”

In addition to volunteering for SASF, he recently adopted from the Hampton Bays-based shelter. It was love at first sight when Ficara met London the kitty.

“They are so happy when I come to see them. We spend time cuddling and playing,” Ficara said about the SASFans.

To learn about volunteering for Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, which provides shelter for dogs and cats, as well as guinea pigs, birds, and bunnies, while they await their forever home, visit southamptonanimalshelter.com.