Did you know that Ten Lives Cat Rescue is run entirely by volunteers? We currently have over 100 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.
Nancy started volunteering with us in May 2022 as one of our incredible fosters. She initially fostered a pregnant cat that she had trapped named Twinkle, and then fostered Twinkle’s four kittens. Twinkle and her kittens found their forever homes last fall! Nancy’s current fosters are Lionel and Gus Gus. While Gus Gus recently joined our rescue, Lionel is currently available for adoption! Nancy has one resident cat named Coop, and sadly lost her senior cat to old age in September 2022. In addition to fostering for our rescue, Nancy also assists our records team by requesting and imputing records into our electronic system.
1. How did you originally hear about us, and what made you decide to become a volunteer?
I don’t recall exactly how I heard of Ten Lives, but I have been involved with rescues since about 2008. I took a break from beings hands-on around 2014, but I started up again in 2021.
2. What is your favorite story or memory while volunteering with us?
I love receiving updates (pictures and happy stories!) from adopters.
3. What have you learned during your time as a volunteer?
Volunteering has helped me remember a lot of information I learned previously from doing rescue work, such as vaccines, medications, and some behavior differences in cats.
4. What do you wish other people knew about us?
The adoption fee for a cat or kitten isn’t to make money. It is to cover the cost of medical care for that cat, and to help cover needed medical expenses for other cats and kittens.
5. What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
I work full time from home, and I help my elderly father who has mobility issues. I also love to learn, so I’m currently (and slowly) learning Serbian, and I hope to learn knitting and crocheting depending on what time permits.
6. How do you think Ten Lives Cat Rescue will change over the next five years?
It is so hard to answer this question because the rescue world is constantly evolving. Hopefully, the laws will change and/or be enforced to help protect animals more than they currently are. The laws are there, but people don’t always follow them and sadly, there don’t seem to be many consequences.
7. Why should others consider volunteering with us?
There are so many cats and kittens in Rhode Island that need help. Fostering is a great way to help if someone isn’t able to adopt. While fostering isn’t an option for everyone, there are other roles within the rescue. Transport is always needed to help bring cats to and from appointments, for example. Volunteers are always needed, and help in any form is always greatly appreciated.
8. What have you gained while volunteering with us?
It feels good to be fostering and rescuing again. Helping animals is a big passion of mine.
9. How much of an impact do you feel your volunteer work has had with Ten Lives Cat Rescue?
I hope I have had an impact on the cats and kittens I have fostered and helped find wonderful homes. I love them all, and am glad they have found homes where they will spend the rest of their lives being safe and loved.
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, support The Lazzy Fund, and purchase needed supplies through our Wishlist!