Volunteer of the Month: Randy H.
In our first 2019 spotlight, we’re featuring volunteer Randy H., who’s been a fan of Cat Town since the beginning. When his schedule opened up, he decided to get in on the action, and has been a stalwart volunteer force in our Adoption Center ever since. As one of our regular weekly volunteers, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Randy around or talked with him about one of our cats.
In our first 2019 spotlight, we’re featuring volunteer Randy H., who’s been a fan of Cat Town since the beginning. When his schedule opened up, he decided to get in on the action, and has been a stalwart volunteer force in our Adoption Center ever since. As one of our regular weekly volunteers, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Randy around or talked with him about one of our cats.
Find out what Randy’s learned working with Oakland’s at-risk and under-socialized cats and his favorite part about being on the Cat Town volunteer team.
Randy working with one of our more under-socialized cats on a weekend volunteer shift.
Larissa C.: How did you get involved with Cat Town?
Randy H.: When Cat Town first opened up the cafe space, I was there on opening day. I joined the email list to keep up with what Cat Town was doing. Fast forward to 2017 and while I was recuperating from a hip replacement, I got the announcement about the Studio space opening. Having extra time on my hands, I decided this would be a great opportunity to take the next step in learning more and working with the cats that needed the most help with socialization.
LC: Have you been a cat person your whole life?
RH: I have been an animal person my whole life—I grew up in rural America and we had both dogs and cats, and had plenty of neighbors with horses, cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep. I became passionate about cats probably nine years ago, when I got Max, my very first cat of my own, who at the time was engaged to resolve a mouse problem I was having.
LC: Do you have cats at home?
RH: I am the domestic servant of five cats who allow me to share their home with them; (at least as long as I can still wield a can opener!) four males and a newly adopted little girl who is FIV positive.
LC: What role do you play, or have you played, at Cat Town?
RH: I participate as a volunteer in both the Cat Zone and Studios on a weekly basis, and on occasion, might be found helping with a special off-site event.
LC: What do you love most about volunteering?
RH: What I like most about volunteering is being able to make a difference in the lives of those wonderful cats that might otherwise be tossed aside. From my volunteer work at another animal organization, I know firsthand the heartbreak of losing a feline friend who was not afforded the time and attention we can give them here at Cat Town. What we do at Cat Town is vital and to be part of that is something that transcends description.
LC: What is something you’ve learned about under-socialized cats and kittens that people might not expect to be true?
RH: There is a difference between being under-socialized and being feral—and there is also a difference between being feral and terrified of just about every element in a new and strange environment. I guess what I am trying to say is that what presents itself as feral behaviour, may not be caused by the cat truly being feral and with time and patience, we can help the cat overcome their fears and return to “normal” behaviour.
LC: What is your favorite thing about working with vulnerable shelter cats?
RH: Knowing we are doing something really good by giving these cats the chance they deserve, that so many other organizations might not. The joy is immeasurable when you can see a cat go from a fractious, hissing ball of teeth and claws to a confident, biscuit-making love bug.
LC: Why would you encourage people to adopt an under-socialized cat or kitten?
RH: Every cat needs and deserves a home! By adopting an under-socialized cat or kitten, you are doing something extra special. You are not just saving a life, but giving that special cat or kitten a chance at a second life, where without Cat Town and our wonderful adopters, the cat would not find that second chance. As we have proven in the majority of cases, “under-socialization” is simply a state, and there is the added thrill and sense of wellbeing in watching that under-socialized cat become a confident, purring best friend.
LC: Is there a Cat Town cat that you’ve met who really helped solidify your volunteering experience?
RH: Yes, I think my greatest reward has been working with Tater, who with a lot of patience, trickery (and treats), finally allowed me to pet him, and even seemed to enjoy it.
LC: What would you say to someone considering volunteering at Cat Town?
RH: Just do it! You have nothing to lose and you can’t help but feel good about being part of the wonderful work we do saving cats’ lives and helping them find their forever homes.
If you’re ready to start helping Oakland’s at-risk and under-socialized cats, get started by completing a volunteer application form or emailing info@cattownoakland.org to see how you can get involved. We’re always looking for new volunteers!
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December 2018 Adoptions
Before we get too far into 2019, we want to spend just a little more time celebrating the final adoptions of 2018. In the final month of the year we helped a number of seniors, Forgotten Kittens, and cats facing ailments find the loving families of their dreams — all thanks to your support.
Before we get too far into 2019, we want to spend just a little more time celebrating the final adoptions of 2018. In the final month of the year we helped a number of seniors, Forgotten Kittens, and cats facing ailments find the loving families of their dreams — all thanks to your support.
Now we’re tackling our New Year’s resolutions to help more cats in need and share our mission with other animal rescues nationwide. If adopting is on your New Year’s to-do list, be sure to email our staff at info@cattownoakland.org to learn more.
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With your support, Celeste can be herself again
With only four days left, we are $26,000 from our goal to secure $100,000 in matched donations from Maddie’s Fund. To make sure we succeed, an anonymous donor has agreed to double the next $10,000 in donations, transforming $10,000 into a total of $40,000 over the next 48 hours!
By Dawn Pieper
With only four days left, we are $26,000 from our goal to secure $100,000 in matched donations from Maddie’s Fund. To make sure we succeed, an anonymous donor has agreed to double the next $10,000 in donations, transforming $10,000 into a total of $40,000 over the next 48 hours!
Though always a sweet girl, the shelter environment was just too stressful for Celeste.
These funds will make sure I can help more cats like Celeste, an affectionate girl who was immediately put up for adoption at the shelter. However, her sensitive spirit couldn’t handle the chaotic environment. She soon stopped using her litter box, instead spending her days trying to disappear from view.
In her foster home, Celeste is thriving!
The team at Oakland Animal Services recognized how stressed she was and quickly moved Celeste to the back of the shelter — the calmest space available. Even here, she kept her eyes closed as she hid under her blanket. The shelter had done everything they could to help her. However, I knew that she would become her sweet self again if we could get her out of that cage, so I placed her in a Cat Town foster home.
Now Celeste has everything she could possibly want: a cozy bed, lots of toys, and a wonderful person to keep her company while she waits to be adopted. She's back to being her sweet self. However, there are other scared, stressed cats waiting for help in the back of the shelter. All they need is a chance to feel safe. I think about them constantly and would help each of them in a second if we had the funds for the medical care and other supplies these cats will inevitably need.
These cats are why securing every dollar of this match is so important. Please make a donation today, so Cat Town can save every shelter cat waiting for us, without any hesitation.
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Volunteers of the Month: Victoria & Rob G.
Meet Victoria and Rob G., an incredible couple who have fostered nine Cat Town cats over the past few years. I talked with them about their experience fostering and what they love about working with more challenging cases.
Meet Victoria and Rob G., an incredible couple who have fostered nine Cat Town cats over the past few years. I talked with them about their experience fostering and what they love about working with more challenging cases.
Victoria and Rob are never afraid to take on a challenging cat. So far, nine foster cats have benefitted from their generosity, and countless others in our Adoption Center.
Larissa. C: How did you both get involved with Cat Town?
Victoria G.: Shortly after the café opened, I visited with a coworker who is also a cat lover...I had been interested in fostering, but Rob was a little nervous about the idea. One day in November 2015, I saw a post looking for an urgent foster for a handsome flame-point Siamese named Liam. He had an upper respiratory infection, and just needed a short-term home while he recovered before moving to the Cat Zone. Rob was a bit more comfortable taking the leap with a short-term foster, so I responded and shortly thereafter we brought him home! I think he stayed with us for about two weeks, and after he was healthy again, he moved into the Cat Zone and was adopted in three days. We absolutely loved the experience, and have basically been “serial fosters” ever since. We’re currently on foster #9.
Rob G.: Yeah, I was a little worried about fostering at first, because I knew we would fall in love with the cats and it would be hard to let go. And we do fall in love with them, but it’s been so rewarding to watch each cat grow and find a loving family—now we just can’t stop!
Victoria and foster cat Morris in 2016.
LC: Have you been a cat people your whole lives?
RG: When I was a kid, I was allergic to cats, so I didn’t get much exposure to them, but my allergies seemed to fade as I got older. I only started living with cats in college, but I became a cat person myself pretty quick after that.
VG: I have had cats literally my whole life, since I was a baby. I really love all animals, but cats hold a special place in my heart.
LC: How many cats do you have at home currently?
VG: We have two cats of our own, Charlie and Sweet Pea, and we also have a foster cat. Rob adopted Sweet Pea as a kitten 10 years ago when he discovered her living on the grounds of his apartment complex in Oakland. Four years ago, when we were living in San Francisco, we adopted Charlie from the San Francisco SPCA’s Holiday Pet Window at Macy’s in Union Square.
LC: What roles do you both play, or have played, at Cat Town?
VG: We started out with fostering, and eventually began volunteering in the Cat Zone and became adoption counselors. This past year, I was also on the planning committee for Cat Town’s inaugural fundraising gala, the Second Chance Soiree. I’m looking forward to working on this event again for next year!
Rob and Victoria (right) at this fall’s Second Chance Soirée, a fundraising event Victoria helped plan. Photo by Righter Portraits.
LC: What do you love most about volunteering at Cat Town?
RG: For me, it’s connecting with such a warm community of cats and people.
VG: I agree. Being a part of Cat Town means you’re a part of a family. There are so many great cats and people that we’ve had the pleasure of working with.
LC: Having fostered and volunteered in the Cat Zone, what is something you’ve learned about under-socialized cats and kittens that people might not expect to be true?
RG: The environment that a cat is in can make all the difference. Sometimes the transformation takes time, but that’s what’s so important about the Cat Zone and Cat Town foster homes—they give under-socialized cats time and space in which to build confidence and grow.
VG: I think most people think under-socialized cats won’t make good pets or companions—that they will be aloof and lacking affection. And while I guess that might be true for the most severe cases, in my experience I’ve found that with time, patience, and love, you can form an incredibly strong bond and friendship with an under-socialized cat.. The love and companionship you will get from is special and unique and unlike anything else you will ever experience.
Rob spending time socializing one of our Cat Zone residents.
LC: What is your favorite thing about working with vulnerable shelter cats?
VG: Rob and I tend to take on pretty challenging, long-term foster cats … It’s hard work. But, it is THE BEST feeling in the world when a cat you’ve been working with for months makes that breakthrough and finally starts to trust you and accept your love. Watching the cat grow and make progress, and eventually seeing them find their forever home makes me so proud and happy. When a potential adopter comes to our home to meet our foster cat, you see how far the cat has come since we started working with them. When you witness the “click” between the cat and the adopter, you feel such a great sense of accomplishment.
LC: Why would you encourage people to adopt an under-socialized cat or kitten?
RG: Living with under-socialized cats always surprises and challenges me in wonderful ways. Cat Town cats bring so much love and fun into our home!
VG: For the same reasons that I described earlier—you will experience a special and unique love and friendship!
LC: Is there a Cat Town cat that you’ve met who really helped solidify your volunteering experience?
VG: As lame as it sounds, every single one of our foster cats has done that for me. Each of our foster cats has had their own quirks, idiosyncrasies, and challenges, and I learn something new with each experience.
RG: We had one particularly long-term foster named Allie whose transformation will always stick out in my mind. It really taught me a lot about working with under-socialized cats and the patience it requires as well as how rewarding it can be to see a cat grow and thrive.
LC: What would you say to someone considering volunteering at Cat Town?
RG: I don’t think that there is a more friendly and inviting place to get involved with helping cats than Cat Town.
VG: I don’t think I could have said that better!
We are endlessly grateful for volunteers like Rob and Victoria, working tirelessly to make a difference in our cat community. We had an incredible 2018, and we can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team in the New Year, you can start by completing a volunteer application form or emailing info@cattownoakland.org. We have new volunteer training sessions each month, and we’re always looking for awesome people to help us continue this life-saving work.
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What Does it Take to Truly Change Cat Rescue?
Ziggy, my Cat Town cat, literally leaps from across the room to sit on my shoulder just about every day. He was a not-so-secret ingredient at Cat Town’s Adoption Center: a “starter cat” who would teach less confident cats how to be brave. They watched his example and quickly followed his lead — playing with toys and rubbing up against visitors’ legs.
By Nara Dahlbacka
Ziggy, my Cat Town cat, literally leaps from across the room to sit on my shoulder just about every day. He was a not-so-secret ingredient at Cat Town’s Adoption Center: a “starter cat” who would teach less confident cats how to be brave. They watched his example and quickly followed his lead — playing with toys and rubbing up against visitors’ legs.
Cats like Ziggy act as confident role models for our shyer cats.
That’s the magic of Cat Town: with the help of dedicated volunteers and just a few assertive cats like Ziggy, hundreds of cats learn to build confidence and get adopted.
As Board President, I’m proud that Cat Town gives the shelter cats at highest risk of euthanasia a chance to find homes, filling a need that had been overlooked for so many years. Even my confident Ziggy, who helped dozens of cats learn to be brave enough for adoption, started off at the shelter with a BB gun injury.
Zazzles at the Oakland shelter just before coming to Cat Town.
Your support helps Cat Town save these cats every day, and has made it possible for the Oakland city shelter to achieve a euthanasia rate on par with the best shelters in the Bay Area.
Imagine this work spreading all over the country, helping more shelters in need.
With your support, we will work to make this vision a reality. Every dollar raised by December 31, up to $100,000, is being doubled by Maddie’s Fund, and as of today, we’ve reached nearly 70% of this challenge goal. I hope you’ll join me in making a donation today to help Cat Town save more cats who have no place else to turn!
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