Zwolinski--a volunteer three days a week for the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley--received a 2005 Kindred Spirit Award from the Doris Day Foundation for her work with animals. The foundation--started in 1998 by Day--works to protect animals and recognize people who devote time to that goal.

The Price is Right host Bob Barker--who urges viewers to have their pets spayed and neutered at the of each episode of his game show--was also a recipient of the award this year.

The center works to rehabilitate injured, orphaned or abandoned wild animals so they can be released back into the wild.

Fellow volunteer Patricia Abreu nominated Zwolinski after working with her at the wildlife center.

"She inspires all of us, she's like the voice of the wildlife center for a lot of us," Abreu said.

Zwolinski has been working with the center for five years. She met its members after finding an injured squirrel in her backyard. The lifetime animal lover thought it she could rehabilitate it, but she soon found herself in over her head. Her veterinarian recommended the wildlife center, and she's been a volunteer since.

"Billie definitely stands out on our list of volunteers," said the center's Director of Operations Janet Alexander. "There are so many things she takes on, she always goes above and beyond."

When your business is taking care of wild animals, "above and beyond" can take on new meaning.

"We get things with teeth and talons and they're hurt and hungry and scared," Abreu said. "Blood and guts? Billie's right there."

While she serves as the center's "Jane-of-all-trades," Zwolinski's specialty is baby raccoons. This year alone 43 have come through the wildlife center's doors--many of the critters so young their eyes are still closed.

Zwolinski said most of their raccoons are orphans, their mothers killed either by pest control or cars.

Many require around-the-clock care. Zwolinski volunteers for the 4 a.m. feedings that the raccoons require. She feeds them a special formula that mimics raccoon milk.

When the raccoons are old enough, the center feeds them solid food and prepares them for release into the wild. When possible, the center releases animals within three miles of where they were picked up.

"Being able to release them back into the wild is the best part," she said. "I cry, but it's a good feeling."

One of the hardest parts of Zwolinski's job is that she can't let the animals bond with her. If animals are tamed or begin to think they're people, they cannot be released back into the wild.

"We don't talk to them; we don't make eye contact with them. You're told that if you tame them, you're the one who has to put them down," Zwolinski said. "It's hard to do, but I know in the back of my head that if I tame one, it won't make it in the wild."

On weekends, she volunteers as a receptionist, freeing the paid staff to care for animals. Alexander estimates that Zwolinski has saved the center thousands of dollars in staffing costs.

Alexander said the center is excited about Zwolinski's award because it will also bring more attention to their efforts.

"I think it's well deserved. It's a huge deal, I mean, she's in the company of Bob Barker," Alexander said. "We're just thrilled for her; it gives her the recognition she deserves."