Frankly, I'd avoid Good Mews. Despite their mission, my experience left me believing the…read moreorganization is no more inclusive than groups that openly exclude people.
It has taken me months to write this because it was one of the most demeaning volunteer experiences I have ever had.
I joined Good Mews in January 2026 as a volunteer and was selected for the medical committee, my first-choice assignment. I assisted with evening medications including pills, eye drops, and special diets--basic tasks that did not require a veterinary license. I have worked in both animal and human healthcare, own six pets, and completed five weeks of volunteering without a single correction or complaint.
On my final shift, before I even entered the building, I was pulled aside by two older white female volunteers--one I had never even met--and told that, after "internal discussion," I was no longer a fit for the medical committee because of my fingernails. My nails had been the same since my first day and had never once been mentioned. Instead, I was told I would be "a better fit" for the cleaning committee.
Imagine being a Master's-educated Black woman, lifelong cat owner, and healthcare professional, only to have two volunteer cat ladies decide you belong cleaning instead of providing medical care. I was devastated and am still affected by that experience.
The situation raised serious concerns:
1. I was discussed and evaluated without my knowledge.
2. I was removed without prior communication or documented performance issues.
3. Standards were applied inconsistently, since nothing about my appearance had changed.
4. The tone and handling of the situation felt dismissive, isolating, and racially motivated.
As one of the only Black volunteers I ever saw there, I could not ignore how this felt.
I emailed the Executive Director detailing my concerns. Rather than addressing them, she simply upheld the volunteers' decision and again encouraged me to join the cleaning committee.
I then emailed the Board of Directors. One board member met with me for coffee and acknowledged that Good Mews struggles to attract younger and more diverse volunteers. I left hopeful that the situation would be resolved and that I could continue volunteering. He said he would speak with the volunteer leadership and get back to me. That was in April. I never heard from him again.
The volunteer who ultimately removed me had been passive-aggressive from my first day. Within minutes of meeting me she said, "There's a code to the front door, but we'll see if you stick around before I give it to you." After five weeks I still had no door code or name badge.
Although the medical tasks were straightforward, I was shadowed for weeks. On my fourth week another volunteer took over my "training." Her first question was, in a condescending tone, "What do you feel you need to improve?" When I politely explained I felt comfortable with the routine but would ask if I needed help, her demeanor changed immediately. Throughout the shift she repeatedly inserted herself into conversations and hovered over my work despite my having demonstrated I could perform the tasks independently.
As a healthcare professional, cleanliness matters to me. I wore gloves, changed them between cats, and regularly disinfected the medication area. Meanwhile, I repeatedly watched the lead volunteer clean urine, feces, and vomit with her bare hands, manually express a cat into the medication room sink without gloves, and simply rinse the sink with water. She even told me not to worry about cleaning because it would be done later. On one occasion she had cat vomit on her face for over 30 minutes after cleaning it up. Those conditions were honestly disturbing.
I adore the cats at Good Mews, and I sincerely hope every one of them finds a loving home. My criticism is directed at the organization's leadership and volunteer culture, not the animals.
There are many wonderful shelters in the Atlanta area that deserve support. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Good Mews. I believe I was treated differently because of my race, and after exhausting every internal avenue--including the Executive Director and the Board--I was ignored. I will continue sharing my experience, and I've included a photo of the "too long" nails that ended my volunteer position.
