Get ready to meet Cat Town’s very first Adoption Coordinator, Genevieve Cottraux!
Genevieve has volunteered and worked in animal welfare since 2009, at organizations like the East Bay SPCA, Cat Town, and Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). Her previous jobs have ranged from managing the art collection at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive to Adoption Specialist at ARF, and she holds a diverse assortment of degrees — a Master’s in Design, another Master’s in Library and Information Science, and a still-to-be-completed-someday PhD in Humane Education. Now she’s putting her skills and passion to work as Cat Town’s Adoption Coordinator — so we sat down to talk about what that role means to her, and how it will help our cats and our community!
Genevieve with her most recent foster cat, Pekoe. Photo by Erica Danger.
You're Cat Town's first Adoption Coordinator. What does that entail?
Lucky me, I get to spend time getting to know the cats and the people who want to adopt them (plus work with the amazing Cat Town team)! Previously this role was shared by the entire leadership team at Cat Town, so having a dedicated person to focus on adoptions will also help make the whole team more efficient.
My position involves communicating with adopters to find out what they’re looking for in a cat companion, seeing if they might be open to cats they hadn’t previously considered, and making sure everyone finds a perfect fit. Sometimes that might mean introducing adopters to a number of possible feline friends, because not all of Cat Town’s cats are a good fit for every adopter, so I also act as a “matchmaker” to ensure no one gets paired with a cat that’s too complicated for their experience or their expectations. I’ll be helping with adoptions through our foster program and at our Adoption Center, but of course other cat care staff, like Kristin and Dilara, will have input and offer guidance.
Genevieve with one of her own feline companions, Pugcat.
Many of the cats at Cat town have special needs — shy or reactive cats might need extra experience and patience, elderly cats might need daily medication, etc. Do you have any experience with adoption that might help you act as a great matchmaker for Cat Town’s cats?
Cats deemed unadoptable because of age, behavior, or medical issues can live great lives with patient and loving adopters. I adopted a cat considered unadoptable for behavior reasons about 9 years ago, and she’s a wonderful cat in our home — partly because we have realistic expectations. I know from my own experience that with counseling, tools, and support from Cat Town, adopters and their cats have a great chance at success!
You've also fostered more than 100 cats. How will that help you be a great Adoption Coordinator?
I’ve learned so much about cats as a foster. I’m on foster cat #137 right now, and he’s a prime example of why we adopt kittens out in pairs rather than singles. He just made the big leap from my home to our Adoption Center. At 6 months old, he’s now learning at Cat Town that hands aren’t toys, and that biting is not how we play! The other cats, like Zanzibar, Kingston, and Derby are showing him the ropes when it comes to playing gently.
I’ve had shy cats, very outgoing cats, nursing mothers, senior cats, cats with medical issues, cats that stayed with me for as little as a week and as long as 6 months. It really has opened my eyes to how much the time can vary for different cats to adjust to new spaces and people. I think this experience, with having met so many cat personality types, will serve me well in counseling adopters. I can put myself in their shoes to find them exactly who they’re looking for.
What do you love about cats — and animals in general?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve felt an affinity for animals. I was termed “extremely shy” as a child (and I still call myself an introvert), but I was always comfortable with the many cats, dogs, and whatever other creatures were making their homes with my family. Even now, if I’m in a group situation like a party and there are animals around, I’ll be much happier if I’m petting the dog or cat, or even talking to the goldfish.
Animal companions really do help connect us to the world and to each other in so many beneficial ways. I can’t imagine my life without animals in it in some capacity. And of course, they are so darned cute!
Black cats like 19-year-old Salma can easily be overlooked in a shelter environment, but thrive in a foster home — and will benefit from having a dedicated Adoption Counselor to help her find the perfect adopter. Photo by Nicole Dial.
Why are you excited to do adoptions at Cat Town?
I love that Cat Town focuses on the cats that might be overlooked or otherwise slip through the cracks when there are cute little kittens running around getting everyone’s attention. So many wonderful cats are bypassed, and they are just as deserving of loving homes.
Cat Town gets the cats out of cages and into less stressful environments, helping the shy cats blossom and the sassier cats curb their enthusiasm, so to speak. Thanks to incredible effort from Cat Town’s volunteers, we also provide post-adoption support — which not all shelters can offer. And for people who can’t take a cat home for whatever reason, or who just want to interact with cats, visiting the cat cafe is a great way to meet cats without the pressure of making an adoption decision. I see Cat Town as a win-win for the cats and the humans who love them!
What should the public know about adopting from Cat Town?
We really aim to spend time with each adopter, making the best match we possibly can. It might seem like we are asking a lot of questions, but all of those questions ultimately guide us in setting adopters up for success. If you’re thinking of adopting, you can make a free adoption appointment to come and meet cats at our Adoption Center while working with a staff member. And don’t forget all of the cats we have in foster homes! The cats on site are just a fraction of the cats we have at any given time.
Adopters can also take advantage of our Case Management program! For more challenging cats, a volunteer Case Manager is assigned to check in on how you and your new companion are adjusting after they get to their new home, answer questions, and offer support.
By adopting from Cat Town, you are helping reduce the euthanasia rates for shelter cats, and every cat we transfer to our care opens up another space in a shelter for a cat in need.
We’re thrilled to have Genevieve on the team, and excited for the possibilities her new role brings to Cat Town!