Volunteer of the Month - October 2020

This time of year is for giving thanks and we are sooo thankful for our hundreds of volunteers and fosters. These dedicated folks give their time to ensure the kitties in our care get everything they need and are adopted into loving furever homes. One of these dedicated people is foster Kim Wdowiak.

This October, we’re very pleased to be honouring Kim as our Volunteer of the Month. Here she tells us in her own words why she fosters with VOKRA:

How did you start fostering with VOKRA?

I heard about VOKRA from a friend who was considering fostering herself. After hearing more about it and doing some research, I was ecstatic to get started. The biggest challenge would be convincing my husband to get on board with the idea. Of course, his initial reaction was “NO! I’m not giving up my master bathroom!” Well, for those who know me, that wasn’t going to deter me - I figured this was just a signal to start negotiations! 

The negotiations resulted in him agreeing to foster ONE litter and if it was successful then we could consider fostering more. If it didn’t, well…. we gave it a shot. The rest is history! We have had numerous mama and kittens stay with us now. My husband was even agreeable (as he now enjoys fostering as much as I do) to convert our second bedroom into a designated cat sanctuary. There are soft beds, a cat ‘house’, lots of toys and a TV that plays bird/squirrel/duck/fish videos by day and a nice roaring fire scene by night. They’re comfortable, safe, spoiled and loved, which is what they deserve and what matters the most!

In the two and a half years we’ve been fostering, two adult females, 13 mamas and 64 kittens have come through our home. I’ve been fortunate to have a number of those kittens born right in our ‘cat room’. It’s been such a gift to be able to help my mamas nurture their babies from the moment they arrive until they leave for their forever homes. 

What in your experience is the best part of fostering? 

To have the opportunity to nurture babies from the time they’re born is absolutely amazing! And though kittens are very cute, I often find, more often than not, that I develop a deep connection with my mamas. It’s by far the most satisfying thing to see the results of a scared, untrusting and sometimes aggressive cat (unfortunately caused by not having the best life before being rescued by VOKRA) become that sweet, loving and affectionate creature I know they truly are. If I were ever to foster fail, it would likely be with one of my mamas as I find myself really bonding with them throughout their time with me.

Do you have a favourite kitty(s) or a favourite story from your fostering experience?

As I am sure all fosters feel, each and every kitty you foster always holds a special place in your heart. There’s always that one kitten or adult cat that makes you think “how can I possibly let you go?” I’ve had many of those times, but I always tell myself to just think how many more we are helping if we continue to foster. That has honestly helped me a lot to not foster fail. 

Although I wouldn’t call this my ‘favourite’ story from my fostering experience, it definitely comes to mind. In September 2019, I was lucky enough to foster two mamas, this time with nine kittens between them. To make a long story short, before coming the VOKRA the entire litter was exposed to a deadly virus (parvo). It was heartbreaking as each mama and all nine kittens became dreadfully ill. We were lucky to save one mama and four of her kittens. And through this devastating loss, it has helped me to advocate to everyone I know to vaccinate, vaccinate, pleaseeeee vaccinate your pets! This was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided.

THANK YOU Kim for fostering and for advocating the importance of vaccinations. All your time and love have ensured the cats and kittens you foster are ready to find their purrfect  furever homes!

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

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