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.
Michelle has been volunteering with us for a little over a year after discovering our rescue at an event. She is a Foster Mom and is one of our Adoption Coordinators. Both of these roles are crucial to our rescue and fulfilling our mission, and we greatly appreciate everything Michelle does to help the cats in our care!
Michelle has one resident cat named Opal, and is currently fostering Gracie (originally from Purrfect Match Cat Rescue in Tennessee), Jupiter (a Lazzy Fund recipient, a soon-to-be Forgotten Feline graduate, and bonded with Gracie), and Astro (originally humanely trapped through our Community Cats program and now living his best life in his foster home).
1. How did you start volunteering at Ten Lives?
I found Ten Lives at RI VegFest because the catnip mats caught my eye. I really loved the mission of the rescue and the people I interacted with were so nice. I’ve been wanting to volunteer with cats for some time and thought this was the perfect opportunity.
2. What motivates you to give back to the community with Ten Lives?
I can’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t have a cat. My motivation to give back to the community with a cat rescue was born out of grief. I had lost my soul-cat Harley to large cell lymphoma the previous year, and it was such a loss to our family. Losing her got me thinking about all the other cats who depend on us for help to live out their best quality of life and I wanted to continue to be part of that in a bigger way.
3. What is your favorite memory while volunteering with us?
My favorite memory was when Gracie joined our foster house as a companion for Jupiter. Seeing Jupiter go from a very nervous and timid cat who always hid in a box to a cat that now will choose to be visible around us, sits by his dish when he’s hungry, and is running around his space, is the most rewarding feeling. I’ve never been so happy for him, and I know he will continue to blossom to his full cat self when he is adopted.
4. Why should others consider volunteering with us?
This is such a supportive group of volunteers. We all want to do the best for the cats we are rescuing, and everyone wants to help each other succeed in doing so. There is no cattiness (pun intended!)!
5. What do you love to do when you aren’t volunteering?
I can always be found with yarn. I love to crochet and knit. I also love to read and listen to podcasts and music. I also love watching and going to hockey games (Go Bruins!).
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!
