For Gloria MacVane, it doesn’t get much better than helping a local family find the right pet.

For nearly 13 years, MacVane of Bedford has been a volunteer adoption counselor at the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford helping match cats to people looking to open their homes with love of a pet.

“I’m so lucky to be able to do this and the best part is seeing a family connect with an animal,” she said.

When people come to the Animal Rescue League to adopt a pet, MacVane has them fill out a survey to see what kind of cat they are looking for.

“We set people up in a meet-and- greet room and see if it’s a match,” she said.

MacVane also fosters litters of kittens at her home in Bedford until they are 8-weeks-old when they can return to the shelter and be put up for adoption. She also has seven cats of her own.

The Animal Rescue League also has dogs, bunnies and sometimes even ferrets up for adoption, MacVane said. Currently, the shelter has about 190 animals ready for adoption.

“It’s really amazing how many animals come in and out of the shelter. It’s great to see that people find animals they will love for years to come,” she said.

Around the holidays is often the shelter’s busiest time of year as many people are looking to add a member to their family, she said.

“We’ve been very, very busy the last few weeks. Kittens have been in high demand,” she said.

MacVane retired from an accounting career in 1999 and shortly after made an effort to put more time into her volunteer efforts.

Besides her involvement in the Animal Rescue League, MacVane is a volunteer at the American Red Cross and is a member of the Manchester Women’s Club.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Animal Rescue League will hold “Love Your Pet Day” from noon to 4 p.m. It gives pet owners a chance to meet pet-friendly vendors and see new ways to pamper their pets.

For more information on the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, visit www.rescue league.org or call 472-3647.