Volunteer of the Month - January 2020

Hello 2020! There’s no better way to kick off a new year, and a new decade, by celebrating our volunteers. This month we’re toasting Henry Lam, a member of the reception team at our Operations Centre who’s been volunteering with us since March 2018.

Here Henry tells us how he became involved with VOKRA and why:

I decided to volunteer with VOKRA to learn more about cats before I adopt one or two (or 10!) in the future. I also wanted to be productive on Saturday mornings and contribute positively to society. I filled out the online application and a recruiter got back to me and we went from there. 

Volunteering at VOKRA gives me the chance to work as a team with some truly kind and wonderful people. Every department at VOKRA supports and helps each other in all facets of day-to-day operations. I also appreciate the opportunity to learn something new every shift.

Every day, even from my first orientation tour around the Operations Centre with Margaret, I've witnessed and been amazed by the lengths the VOKRA team will go to serve and protect all animals in need. VOKRA may be about cats and kittens, but it's also the people that make it a positive and worthwhile organization to work for.

Volunteering at VOKRA has also provided me the opportunity to learn more about cats like I’d hoped. I remember the first time I was asked to help load a scared kitty into a carrier. I revealed and presented the carrier far too early and the cat took one glance and went into hiding for the rest of the day. Because of this we had to reschedule pick-up with the foster for another day.

The second time I was asked to help load a scared kitty into a carrier, I dropped the hook for the hammock as I unhooked it from inside the kennel. It startled the kitty whom directly proceeded to jump out and escape the kennel as I stood there dumbfounded, too slow to react and close the kennel door in time. Thankfully the cat was still inside the safe confines of the Operation Centre, but we had to call in escaped cat expert Maria to nab the kitty and get it back into the kennel.  

I’ve met so many cats this past year. Although I don’t have any particular favourites, there are some who have stood out. Bubblegum was beautiful and the most gorgeous and fluffiest cat I've ever seen and pet. Jake and Elwood were the chunkiest and friendliest bros I ever met - even amongst humans (I made the mistake of putting both of them in one heavy carrier for the foster!). Tinka’s a free spirit who goes wherever and whenever she wants to and Charis is really just misunderstood. And also, Trevor will love you if you tell him your problems and take a nap with him.

THANK YOU Henry for being so helpful and friendly to everyone who comes in the door of our Operations Centre! We’re truly grateful to have you as one of our volunteers.

As a volunteer-driven non-profit, we clearly couldn’t do what we do without our extremely dedicated and hardworking team of volunteers. Thank you to each and every one of you!

VOKRA’s always in need of volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering click here.