Did you know that Ten Lives Cat Rescue is run entirely by volunteers? We currently have over 80 volunteers in various roles helping us achieve our mission—to save homeless, abused, and abandoned cats by providing veterinary care, rehabilitation services, and then placing them into loving adoptive homes.
Sabrina started volunteering with Ten Lives in August 2021, and in the short amount of time she’s been a part of our team, she has made an incredible impact as a foster and our Foster Program Manager. She is always willing to help out when needed with events, cat cabs, supply runs, and much more. We are grateful for everything she does! Sabrina has five resident cats – Roo, Penelope, Eevee, Squeak, and Peppurr, Izzy, her resident chinchilla, and Winston and Sheldon, her resident guinea pigs. She currently has six foster cats – Weasley, Lenny, Mother, Stewie, Zappa, and Marky Mark. Squeak and Peppurr are the most recent residents in her family and are Ten Lives alumni and foster fails!
1. How did you originally hear about us, and what made you decide to become a volunteer?
I had always followed Ten Lives on social media and have always wanted to foster, but with my six resident pets in a one bedroom, 1,000 square foot condo, it wasn’t in the cards. When we sold our condo in the summer of 2021 and bought a larger single family with 4 bedrooms, I was finally able to pursue my dreams! After many conversations with my boyfriend and an attempt to rescue what we thought was a stray cat who turned out to actually be the neighbor’s, I applied to be a foster!
2. What is your favorite story or memory while volunteering with us?
I have so many, but a day after taking in my original four ringworm foster kittens, one became deathly ill. While it was exhausting, I was up every three hours to syringe feed him and administer a variety of medications to get him back to good health. He fought, and while he is still having some health issues, is doing extremely well. It was so rewarding to know I played a part in that.
3. What have you learned during your time as a volunteer?
That this is my passion. I’ve always felt like a piece of me was missing, and this has filled that.
4. What do you wish other people knew about us?
How amazing the community is. I have been in awe since day one of the support the Ten Lives community has shown. It truly does not get better than being surrounded by like-minded crazy cat people.
5. What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
If I’m being honest, finding/doing my next hobby. In 2021, my short-term hobbies included: building tiny houses (lasted about a month), becoming an Amazon book reseller (lasted 3-4 months, and I made my initial investment money back!), participating in focus groups (lasted 3-4 months), and last but not least, extreme couponing (lasted 2 months)! My ADHD brain hyper fixates on things, I become obsessed, then I get bored and move on.
6. How do you think Ten Lives Cat Rescue will change over the next five years?
Oh man! The ideas I could give are endless. I think we’ll continue to grow as an organization, allowing us to help more cats in our community and beyond. Outside of that, I can envision some very exciting business expansion ideas (whether that be within the current organization, or as a “sister” brand) that would complement our current work and help us achieve even more!
7. Why should others consider volunteering with us?
If you love cats, there is no better community to be a part of. Cats are ALL WE DO. Come join us!
8. What have you gained while volunteering with us?
A sense of purpose. As much as I love my 9-5 job, it doesn’t give me the same sense of accomplishment like the work I do at Ten Lives does. I feel so lucky to have been welcomed into this community.
9. How much of an impact do you feel your volunteer work has had with Ten Lives Cat Rescue?
As a foster, I’ve stepped up to the plate and have taken in many ringworm cats. Cats with ringworm are extremely hard to place in our foster program as the treatment sounds scarier than it is, but I have the time, space, and energy to take in these special cases, so that’s what I’ve done! As the Foster Program Manager, I feel that I’ve really done my best to make sure our cats are all on the right path to adoption and that our fosters feel supported on that path.
Are you interested in volunteering with Ten Lives Cat Rescue? Read about our open volunteer roles and fill out a Volunteer Application, become a foster, sponsor a Forgotten Feline, and purchase needed supplies through our Wishlist!
