KittyKind.org instagram: @KittyKindCats email: [email protected] Newsletter, January 2021 Happy 2021 to everyone from the volunteers at KittyKind. Starting in this issue, we’ll spotlight some of the many volunteers at KittyKind. Did you know that in addition to the care-team volunteers, those who feed and clean the cats, there are many other kinds of volunteers at KittyKind? There are adoption representatives, health- care volunteers, cat socializers, database volunteers. a social media coordinator, photographers, a web designer, foster-care coordinators, volunteers who field phone calls, and the list goes on. You’ll meet all of them. In this issue, we focus on the Monday volunteers. You’ll also get a glimpse, from other inside sources, of what KittyKind’s like on a Monday. Monday’s Care-Team Volunteers Three-hundred and sixty-five days a year, volunteers go to KittyKind in the Petco Store to feed and clean the cats. Morning and evening, they feed, clean, observe, record, and clean, again. They’re the eyes and ears of cat care. From Laura W., Monday a.m. Care Team: “Kitty Kind was one of my first calls after retiring from my full-time job in 2011. As someone who doesn’t have cats at home anymore, I really treasure the time I spend in the Petco shelter. The resiliency and sweetness the cats exhibit is especially inspiring during these dif- ficult times. It’s a joy to be a part of helping these wonderful animals move forward to new and better lives.” (Laura found out about Kit- tyKind from a co-worker who is also still volunteering, and Laura’s daughter also adopted a cat from KittyKind.) From Maggie O., Monday a.m. Care Team: You’ll probably find Maggie at KittyKind on days other than Mon- days because she’s a frequent fill-in. Maggie has been volunteering at KittyKind for four years. She found out about KittyKind while taking an aerobics class. The husband of a long-time volunteer was in the class, talking about cats, and he asked Maggie if she liked cats. She said “no,” but she was intrigued enough from the conversation to visit KitttyKind. She met Jean Fox, the director of KittyKind, and Maggie filled out her application that day. Now retired, she says that her primary motivation for volunteering at KittyKind is because it’s “fun.” She gets to laugh at the antics of the cats, and she’s helping rescued cats “start their new life.” That’s a good feeling. From Kseniia K., Monday p.m. Care Team: “My name is Kseniia and I’m originally from a small city in the middle of Russia. Most of my background is in Art History, but currently I’m working in the field of interior design. I live in Manhattan with my husband Jim and American Shorthair cat Lobster-Butkus who, Kseniia with a little cat, and a big cat Continued on next page Kseniia and pal (left), and her cat Lobster-Butkus (below) ironically, was born and raised in Russia. During one short stint where I worked at a zoo in my home city, I was helping to take care of little orphaned wild animals that were born in the zoo. One of my favorite creatures that I personally helped raise was a Bengal tiger named Sakhi. Ever since then, I have always wanted to help and take care of critters big and small, and I’m so happy and proud to be a part of the Kitty Kind team. You all are amazing people. Thank you very much for all that you do to rescue, foster and ultimately find loving homes for our numerous cats.” (Kseniia has been volunteering with KittyKind since 2018.) From Lisa P., Monday p.m. Care Team: “I started volunteering with KittyKind a few months af- ter I adopted Wyatt and Ziggy in 2018. Patricia K. re- cruited me to join become a volunteer. I started on the cat care team and then moved over to the adoptions team assisting Patricia and Ina on Wednesday evenings. Since the pandemic, I’ve gone back over to the cleaning/ feeding and hope to go back to adoptions post vaccine. Here I am with my 3rd kitty, Candy. I’m working full time and hope to retire soon and spend more time volun- teering and traveling.” Lisa P. with a KittyKind pal. Health Maintenance Volunteers From Valerie B., Monday shift: Health-Maintenance volunteers monitor any changes “This is the family. Clockwise...me, Bitey, Little Girl, Big the cats may experience after their arrival at KittyKind. Boy, Chris, and Hi5. Been volunteering 15 years, since For example, the volunteers look for signs of stress, my special-needs kitty Sammy died. Since he taught loss of appetite, scratching, etc. If there is an issue, they me how to give so many meds, I figured, why not help then follow-through with veterinarian directions for some other kitties? I have a job where I usually make the cats’ continued care. Many of the volunteers are my own schedule, so it’s easy to volunteer at KK. The pre-vet students from local colleges, vet-techs, and/or best part about it is meeting new cats and discovering volunteers who love. cats. They usually volunteer be- their unique personalities. (Valerie also rescued Hi5, fore or after the other volunteers. last summer, during the pandemic. As he was recov- ering from ringworm in her bathroom, he pawed con- stantly to join the rest of the family. The name Hi5 suits his friendly personality.) From Sam F., Monday: After working in a number of fields completely unre- lated to animal care, I made the decision to change direction and start a course towards a career in veter- inary medicine. I am currently taking post-Bacc classes through Hunter CUNY, and I’m hoping to complete the required natural science credits and apply to vet school within the next couple of years. We never had cats growing up, so volunteering with KittyKind and training to join the meds team has been a great way to get comfortable caring for these sweet animals while doing some good! Aside from volunteering with KittyKind and taking classes, I am able to spend time volunteering at the New York Aquarium, working on some creative projects with friends, and sleeping. (Now Val, Chris, and Bitey, Little Girl, Big Boy, and Hi5. that’s a word a cat can understand.) Mondays, an Insider’s Look at KittyKind: On any given day at KittyKind, you’ll find a pair of kit- tens, a senior citizen, a teenager, a young(ish) female, and a (youngish) male. We’ve listened in to some of their conversations, and now we’ll share bits of it with you. Senior Cat: Thank goodness it’s Monday. I can sleep. The weekend’s too crowded. Kitten 1: I’m so bored. Kitten 2: We can climb the bars again. Look! I jumped all the way to the shelf. Rhonda and Rollie as Kitten 1 and Kitten 2 Continued on next page Teenager: Kid’s stuff. Kitten 1: Why? What’re you doing? Teenager: Practicing. Here, look. When people come over, you rub against their hand. Arch your back. Keep your tail high. Just when they’re really into you, turn your head and lick your shoulder, totally uninterested. Drives them crazy. Kitten 1: Boring. Female Cat: Hi roomie upstairs. You okay? You’ve been so quiet. Pugsley as the male cat upstairs Male Cat: I’m so scared. Female Cat: I know. You just got here. It’ll get better. Male Cat: But what happens when they open this door? Female: Well, you get food, new litter, a new blanket. They pet you. They brush you, too, if you let them. Male Cat: Oh. Kitten 2: And lots of toys. Senior Cat: Look. The volunteers are coming. Right on Lala as the female cat time. I like routine. Teenager: Remember. Eat nothing. Hold out for what you really like. Kitten 1: I’m so … ohhh, dinner! (Tuesdays --to be continued.) Whiskey Sour as the teen Albert as the senior (Surprise! He’s not a senior! This is acting, friends!) Help Adopt the Cats: Cats Re-Visited Please continue to share our updates on some of the special-needs cats at KittyKind. They’d love to meet your family and friends for a match-up. TURTLE, male, age 8, transferred from Brooklyn Animal Care and Control KITTYKIND: Next month is Valentine’s Day. Do you have a significant other? TURTLE: My matchmaker’s working it. KITTYKIND: Do you believe in love at first sight? TURTLE: Oh, the stories I could tell. KITTYKIND: And what about now? TURTLE: I’m a monogamous guy who likes an exclusive relationship. KITTYKIND: Any wisdom to share? TURTLE IS GIANT. At eight years old, this dude is 15 pounds of pure love and snacks. He loves to sleep on TURTLE: Roses are red. Violets are blue. your lap. He’s like a tiny, weighted blanket! So perfect This Valentine’s Day I’ll share all with you. for winter, and also spring, summer and fall. He’s a gen- tle giant who loves to get petted. He’s shy around new people, but once he knows you, he loves you. Turtle likes a quiet home, so he can sleep on your lap. He also occasionally gets the zoomies. He’s FIV and FeLV negative, neutered, and up to date on shots. Turtle is currently in foster care. Email [email protected] to find your lap cushion.