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Passion for pets guides resident’s work at shelters

Marianne Parsons walks her ex-husband’s dog, River, at Blackie’s Pasture. The Tiburon resident’s passion for animals led her to volunteer...

Michelle Aschwald
By MICHELLE ASCHWALD · 1 min read
AMELIA PLUMB / FOR THE ARKMarianne Parsons walks her ex-husband’s dog, River, at Blackie’s Pasture. The Tiburon resident’s passion for animals led her to volunteer at two different rescue organizations, the Point Richmond-based Milo Foundation and Oakland’s Rocket Dog Rescue.

Marianne Parsons planned on relaxing after retiring from a career that included more than a decade working a teacher’s aide at Reed Elementary School and an overlapping 28-year stint working in retail at Macy’s in Corte Madera.

However, her passion for pets led her in another direction. For the last nine years or so, the Tiburon resident has dedicated herself to volunteering about 25 hours a week for two no-kill animal shelters, Rocket Dog Rescue in Oakland and the Milo Foundation in Point Richmond.

As an ambassador for both organizations, she urges others to adopt, not shop, when it comes to adding furry friends to their families.

“People should adopt pets,” Parsons says. “Give your local animal shelter a chance and help stop dogs and cats from being euthanized.”

Read the complete story in our e-edition, or SUBSCRIBE NOW for home delivery and access to the digital replica.

A version of this story appeared in the Jan. 8, 2025, print edition of The Ark. See something wrong? Request a correction.
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