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4Paws’ Extends Thanks on Behalf of 100+ Cats… But it’s not all cleaning. The store volunteers also hold the cats and give them lots of petting and chin scratches. Some cats even like to walk around the store on a leash. While at the store, the volunteers also talk with people about the cats, their personalities, and the adoption process. Often, this personal attention and the opportunity to pet and hold a store cat are all it takes to reassure a prospective adopter that this is the right cat for their family.
Marylyn started volunteering with her daughter in 2001 as a part of
a school service project. While he daughter’s school project has
ended, Marylyn continues to stop by the Petco to care for the store
cats. Marylyn says one time per week might seem like a lot but when
she comes by the store and see how appreciative the cats are for her
attention it “cleanses the soul.”
Also a long time volunteer, Claire started volunteering by fostering cats in 1998. After fostering kitties, Claire began caring for 4Paws cats in the store. Since that time, she’s continued to stop by the store at least one day per week and now even visits the cats two days per week. With such frequent visits, she really gets to know the cats quickly! As a result of all of their time and energy, 113 cats have been rescued from the streets and placed into permanent loving homes. Thank you, Claire, Marylyn and John for what you have done and continue to do for cats who would otherwise still be hungry and on the street. |
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Cats Later… A volunteer with 4Paws since 2001, Carol and her family have fostered and sent 48 cats and kittens to their new homes. In addition to serving as a foster parent, Carol has been 4Paws’ event planner — coordinating parties for the volunteers as well as organizing and hosting 4Paws' first yard sale. Of course, all of this is made much easier with the help of her daughter, Alex, and her husband, Wayne. It’s a family effort!  Carol
also participates in educational seminars for children to teach
them the appropriate handling and treatment of animals. Accompanied
by other volunteers as well as Daphne (the family’s 4Paws adoptee—a
beautiful tuxedo cat), Carol demonstrates the proper way to approach,
handle and groom cats. While Carol and other 4Paws volunteers talk
to the kids, Daphne likes to sniff out the tuna sandwiches in the
kids’ back packs“How Can You Give Them Up?” When others learn that Carol fosters cats, the most frequent inquiry she gets is “How can you give them up?” Carol explains that when you see the huge number of cats needing homes out there and you meet the wonderful adopters, it’s easy. “All they need is time,” Carol says. The cats and kittens need a few weeks in a safe and loving home until that permanent forever home comes along.
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Claire,
Marylyn and John have standing dates at Petco. One day per week,
each volunteer visits the 4Paws cats at the Alexandria Petco to
offer the cats their daily TLC, food and clean cage. It’s no
easy task. They must manage to refresh water bowls and sweep the
cages while not allowing the cats to escape for a run around the
store.
While
it is a big commitment, these volunteers have continued to care for
4Paws cats for several years now. John says that when his personal
and work life gets a little busy he considers taking a break from
volunteering but he never has. Instead, he asks for help from the
substitute store volunteers to fill in when he is unable to come. As
such, he’s been a consistent volunteer at the Alexandria store for
several years.
