Volunteer of the Month - August 2021

This month we’re celebrating Jennifer Harris, one of our volunteer receptionists at our Operations Centre. There are very few VOKRA related questions Jennifer can’t answer and she welcomes everyone with respect and warmth no matter what their purpose in dropping by. She’s also always ready to help out with other tasks when things get a little turned upside at the Centre!

Here’s Jennifer tells us she became involved in VOKRA and why she volunteers as a member of the reception team:

I started volunteering with VOKRA almost exactly four years ago. I always had it in mind that I wanted to volunteer somewhere and thought VOKRA would be the perfect place since I am a lifetime cat lover. I applied and initially wanted to work directly with the cats, but I was asked to work in reception because that was where my skills were needed. I was a little disappointed, but then quickly realized that I can still visit with the kitties during my shifts. Over the years I have gained such an appreciation that every volunteer role is crucial to keep VOKRA running. No role is more important than others and everyone is needed. 

There are so many things I love about volunteering with VOKRA. Of course, meeting so many kitties is amazing! I have had depression and anxiety my whole life, so knowing that I’m part of doing something good in the world gives me a sense of purpose. Having somewhere to show up every week makes me accountable. But the best part is really being part of the VOKRA family. We all work together to rescue and help kitties in need. We celebrate the wins! But we also comfort and share the sorrow when we have those tough losses. When my kitty Sam was mysteriously and severely ill last fall, it was the encouragement and support I received from people involved with VOKRA that helped me make the decision to get a feeding tube for him---and he recovered fully. But if he hadn't, I know that I’d be able to express my grief with people who completely understand. 

I have so many favourite kitties. I am a sucker for old, grizzled, abandoned, "ugly" cats. But I have two stories that stand out. One day I arrived at the Operations Centre, checked the voicemail and there was a hang-up message. I called back and it was a vet's office -- someone had come into the clinic wanting to euthanize their healthy cat because they claimed he had attacked someone. The clinic refused, but then the man said he’d take the cat out to the country and let it go in a field to fend for itself. They were horrified and asked the man if he would surrender the cat to them if they could find someone to take it. He agreed. The clinic called VOKRA, but didn't leave a message because they were so desperate. I got approval and fellow reception volunteer Bob picked up the cat at the vet and brought him in. That cat is CFer, who is now living happily in his forever home after being foster failed 🙂.

Jennifer’s two rescue kitties, Sam and Oscar

Another time, it was a very cold morning and I was at the reception desk working. VOKRA co-founder Maria burst through the front door and quickly headed to the back. She was hurrying but walking really funny. I thought for sure she had injured herself so, concerned, I immediately followed behind her. It turns out she had just rescued a litter of newborn kittens, who had been found almost frozen to death in a box in someone's yard. She’d put them down her leggings to keep them warm! We all sprang into action, stuffing tiny babies into our bras to try to warm them up. These were the Canuck kitties and all but one survived. 

Here’s what Monique Hoople, reception team lead, has to say about Jennifer:

“In a team like reception where we pass on our duties from person to person every day without meeting as a group, we can’t be our best without volunteers like Jennifer! Not only does she have vast knowledge of our role, but she’s also especially talented at seeing where there is a bump in our procedure and what we can do to find a solution. There are so many small things to remember when working in reception and I’m so grateful to Jennifer for the extra care and attention to detail she brings to our team.”

THANK YOU Jennifer for everything you do! We very much appreciate your dedication and commitment to helping ensure our Operations Centre runs smoothly.

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.