Me and My Sis are Purrrfect Pals
Well, another day has come and gone. What did you do with yours?
I enjoyed an incredibly overwhelming day at work. I use the term ‘enjoyed’ loosely. Very loosely. Let’s just say that as much as I hate to admit it, when all three of the front office people aren’t there, it is really obvious! I can’t wait until my vacation over Memorial Day. 5 whole days of whatevertheheckIwannado!
But then I got to come home to a yummy dinner of Chicken Ceasar Salad and a movie. We watched P.S. I Love You. Talk about a 2 hour lump-in-the-throat of a movie! But it was sweet, and it had a good ending. (And don’t tell anyone, but yes, I did see James brush away a few tears! )
Oh well. Back to life, back to reality…(can you name that tune?!) 
Some of you may remember the rant I went on in a previous post about how my little sister and I never get to spend anytime together. How I felt like she didn’t care about having me as a sister or a friend. Let’s just say it was a very emotional day for me. Sorry Sis.
Well, for the past month I think, Brittany has been inviting me down to her “office” on Saturdays. You see, she works at Purrfect Pals. It’s a no-kill cat shelter in Stanwood. She’s a Vet Tech there. She really loves her job, but it can be quite overwhelming. So much work, so many kitties, so few people.
So I’ve been going down on Saturdays, when I can, for about 6 hours at a time, to work with her as a volunteer. Let’s just say this is the only time when Britt gets to play the bossy big-sis. When I fill in my details on the volunteer sign in sheet, I describe my duties as “Brittany’s slave.” It’s sad but true.
I’m loving every minute of it.
When I was growing up, like most young girls, I wanted to be a Veterinarian. I even worked in a few clinics, as kennel and office staff, to get my feet wet. But then I kind of came to the realization that that line of work just wasn’t for me. I don’t have a strong understanding of science, or a desire to learn Microbiology. So, I don’t think I would have made it very far in that field.
But just because I didn’t want to be Vet didn’t mean I stopped loving animals, especially kitties.
So now, thanks to my lil’ sis I get to step back into that role by helping her out at the shelter.
Some people may not find it fascinating, but I do. I think it’s pretty cool to help save the life of cat that at any other place would be euthanized. When a cat is brought into Purrfect Pals it’s screened for disease, it is vaccinated, it gets microchipped and of course, altered. And I get to help with all of that, including the surgery! It’s amazing!
And I know that if it weren’t for Brittany and her faith in me, none of this would be possible. 
One of the most unbelievable things about this shelter is their lack of funds. They do so much for the community by trapping, rehabilitating, and altering feral (wild/stray) cats. They showcase adoptable cats at dozens of facilities around the Puget Sound area. They even take in cats with Feline Leukemia and FIV (feline AIDS) when no one else will!
Purrfect Pals can be a great place to visit and it can be a sad place to visit. You see, certain rooms of the shelter are designated to cats with different needs. There’s a room for adoptable cats, one for outside cats (ideal barn cats), cats with “issues” (might not be the best at using the litter box), but there’s also a room for cats with FIV and Feline Leukemia. These last two rooms are kind of like quarentine rooms.
I think the saddest room of all is the Feline Leukemia room. I’d say there are about 6 full grown cats in there, but the remainder of the cats are kittens. Feline Leukemia is fully preventable with a vaccine. But when a female cat isn’t vaccinated, she passes the disease onto her kittens. Kittens born with FELV live an average of two years. So you see, it’s completely heart breaking to walk into this room full of adorable little kitties just begging to be loved. But most people won’t adopt them since they don’t have long to live.
So, have I got you completely depressed yet?
Sorry, I had not intention of doing that. Really!
I guess the main reason I mentioned all the different categories of kitties was so that everyone would know just how many are waiting to be adopted and loved. Keep your eye open next time you’re in Petsmart or another local pet store. You may see some of these cats up for adoption or even a jar on the counter asking for loose change. Please, drop in a quarter. It really will go much farther than you think!
And Britt, I hope you know how much I admire what you do. Going into that shelter everyday, doing what you do, just to help those adorable, smelly furballs. You are truly dedicated!
I guess I’ll close with a few pictures stolen from the Purrfect Pals website.
Have an awesome Tuesday everyone and God Bless!
Okay, just one more thing. If you’re interested in more information abou the shelter, here’s a link to their website. Remember every penny of each donation helps move them one step closer their goal of a new facility!
KCUL8TRBYE!
Tiffany on April 13th, 2009 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -