HSLC Hero – Maximina Bonilla

In January 2022, Maximina “Max” Bonilla was awarded the HSLC Hero Award for her exceptional volunteer work as a Trap-Neuter-Return trapper, a foster, and a feral colony feeder.

As a trapper and foster, Max helps manage Loudoun’s feral and stray cat population by trapping feral cats in colonies located throughout Loudoun County and bringing them to our veterinary clinic partners. The cats are then spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped. After the cats have recovered from their surgeries in the veterinary clinic or Max’s house, Max returns the cats back to their original territory where she serves as the caretaker and provides regular food and shelter. For young kittens or friendly adults, Max will foster the cats, prepare them for their forever homes, and help with their adoptions.

As a feral colony feeder, Max maintains multiple feral cat colonies in the Sterling and eastern Leesburg areas, which is a long term, year round responsibility and requires consistent dedication. Most feral cats do not subsist on their own, like wildlife, but depend on people like Max to survive. Max always stays on top of any injury or illness to her cats. If any cats are injured, Max crates the cats at her house until they are healthy enough to return to their home. She always makes arrangements with other feeders to feed her colonies when she is on vacation, and in return does the same for them. Her tireless dedication – including feeding her colonies during snowstorms – directly improves animal welfare in Loudoun County.

We sincerely thank Max for her outstanding volunteer contributions.