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Meryl Klein

Administrative Analyst, County Administrator’s Office

Meryl Klein volunteers 3-4 hours each week at the Oakland Animal Services shelter, providing behavioral training to rescue animals in order to maximize their chances for adoption into safe, loving homes.

Meryl also fosters stray kittens and dogs at home, offering them a temporary home where they can recover from abandonment and other traumatic experiences and polish their social skills. These foster animals join what is already a pretty busy household, with two dogs and two cats that are permanent members of the family.

“They’re often extremely scared when I first meet them, hiding under chairs and refusing to be touched,” Meryl says. “To see them grow into being lovable, cuddly pets is the best feeling ever.”