Stray Thoughts Spring 2019
Volunteer Spotlight
T
he morning cat volunteers scrub, scoop, and freshen up
the living areas for the 60 cats at WSHS. There’s a lot to
accomplish and the Tuesday and Thursday morning crew
has their routine down to a science. On Tuesdays, Melanie
Zimmer, Brianna Loerop, Tracy Tureson, and Kris Foster take
care of the house cats while Joni Kasik and Sarah Moylan
take care of the cattery. On Thursdays, the ladies change
it up when Penny Derer joins Joni, Sarah and Kris in house
cats and Melanie and Brianna move into the cattery.
videotaping dogs and cats to increase their chances of
adoption. She has made over 150 videos and worked with
countless animal lovers, hearing all of their stories.
Kris Foster has been volunteering at WSHS for 12 years.
If you don’t find her with the cats, she’s probably tending
to the flower beds, filling the bird feeders, catching up on
laundry, or restocking supplies. Kris also trains new cat
volunteers, is instrumental to our plant sale, and provides
a loving home for foster cats.
Melanie and Brianna have been
working together for eight years.
They say cleaning can be gratifying.
Melanie and Brianna enjoy each
other’s company as much as they
enjoy the cats. Melanie also has a
passion for adoptions so she stays for
each day’s showing shift.
Tracy is the newest member of this
dynamo team. She loves cats and
certainly found a way to be around
them as much as she can. Tracy is
also here on Wednesdays, when
she takes care of the kittens in the
morning and then heads over to the
cattery for the afternoon.
Joni and Sarah have been teaming
up for three years. Both Joni and
Sarah love getting to know the new
cats. Joni says that there is nothing
more rewarding than seeing “newcomer cats that are
withdrawn and scared come out of their shells.” Sarah
cherishes her interaction with Canoodle who used to be
very shy and scared of Sarah. Now, Canoodle and Sarah
share a special bond.
When asked about their shifts, these
women used the words, “respect,
trust, friendship, and fun.” Sarah
summed it up by saying, “There are
so many great stories I have with these ladies. We have
fun and most importantly we love these cats.” Penny
mentioned that there can be challenges working with
many people in a small space, but they always remember
to laugh. Penny’s favorite story is when one of them lost
her keys. “We were pretty sure they fell in the garbage,
which had already been thrown in the dumpster. We
went out to lunch, enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and
then went back to search the dumpster. It was gross, but
we did find the keys, and laughed the whole time!”
Penny was interested in volunteering with either dogs or
cats when she retired. She started on a cat shift and has
stayed for 11 years! Penny loves the shelter community
and believes “the shelter is the perfect place to practice
patience and kindness.” Penny also donates her time by
Upcoming Events
May
June
4th, Saturday
Visit out booth at Tails on the Trails at The Morton
Arboretum. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1st, Saturday
Look for the WSHS float at the LaGrange Pet Parade!
8th, Saturday
Shred 4 Rescues Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Citadel
Information Mgmt., 827 Blackhawk Drive in Westmont.
10th, Friday – 11th, Saturday
Petals for Pets Plant Sale. More information on page 8.
29th, Saturday
Check out our booth at Cantigny Dog Days! We will be
there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
18th, Saturday
Join us on at 3 p.m. at the Bolingbrook Promenade as
we participate in their annual Pet Parade.
July
27th, Monday
Memorial Day. WSHS will be closed today.
4th, Thursday
WSHS will be closed today.
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