Our family moved to Oregon in 1997, of course with our adopted tuxedo cat Johnny. In fall of 1998, I was homeschooling our middle school-aged son, and looked around for a way we could serve our community. I don’t recall how I learned about CAT’s existence, but my son and I went to the location, met Evan Kalik, the founder, and became cage-cleaning volunteers for several years. Because our schedule was flexible, we could work at any time, and Evan would call us to please come when there were not enough volunteers to give the residents the care they needed. We have benefited from knowing other volunteers from CAT’s beginning, like Laura Spiers, who runs a “cat hotel” in her home, and Deb Scott who became a hiking buddy. Fond memories also of a fun volunteer appreciation party at Evan’s property in Sherwood. When Glen went off to high school, I continued to volunteer until just after the first veterinarian was hired.
Current CAT staff, volunteers over the past 25 years, Evan, and everyone who has ever adopted a furry companion from CAT, should be proud of the stable and valuable organization that CAT has grown into, still carrying out the same mission of caring for and finding homes for needy kitties. Great job everyone, glad to have been a small part of it!!
Shared by: Danielle and Glen Thonis
