Besides the cats at the Goathouse Refuge, the volunteers are the most important entity.  All the care, love, driving, minor medical treatments, laundry etc. having to do with the animals is done by the volunteers. Truly, the operation would be at a standstill without them. That being said, it is a tough job, which demands some time. Once the time is given, the paybacks are hundredfold. The cats are all wonderful creatures that thrive under the care of Siglinda and her volunteers.

Every morning, volunteers go out to the refuge and feed the 40+ cats. The cats are always so happy to see you! After feeding and securing the enclosed area, cats that are kept in cages at night are released for a full day of cage-free play. While they are busy, the volunteers quietly go behind the scenes and clean each litter box. The bottom of each cage is swept and sanitized, and each sleeping pad is checked for cleanliness, changed if necessary. After all the cages are cleaned, the dishes are washed and sterilized and the floor is swept.

In the evening, kitties willingly climb back into their cages after a full day, hungry and tired. They get wet food at night which is prepared with a special recipe. Their boxes are cleaned again, and they are ready for a good night’s sleep. Dishes are done one last time and the laundry is collected. Job complete for another day.

This process is repeated every day, rain or shine, holiday or weekend, regardless of what else is going on in the universe. Many of the cats that come to the refuge are feral. Some become adoptable, others remain difficult to approach. However they all thrive at the refuge. The goal is for them to remain well cared until a permanent home can be found for them or in the case of the ferals, that they have a safe spot for their colony.

The cats are all healthy and happy. Another large part of what the volunteers do is socializing the cats. Kittens are easy to socialize. The more challenging job is working with junior or adult cats who have established nuisance behaviors. It is amazing to watch the animals slowly develop trust (if they didn’t have any), or become truly loving with humans when they had previously not had the inclination.

In the end it is therapy for all parties involved. The cats become wonderful pets and the volunteers have the opportunity to help creatures with no voice. 

Bonny Rooze, volunteer coordinator, email Bonny.