Working at the haven brings me so much joy. I fall in love with every cat there.
Some people choose cats. For Shari, cats have a way of choosing her.
Shari has loved animals for as long as she can remember. No matter where life takes her, cats always seem to find their way into her world. That lifelong connection led her to Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, where she has been volunteering since 2020 and where her heart has firmly taken root.
“Working at the haven brings me so much joy,” Shari says. “I fall in love with every cat there.”
Like so many volunteers, Shari experiences the sweetest parts of rescue up close. There is deep joy in seeing a cat leave for their forever home, and a tender kind of missing that comes from having loved them well. The connections formed at the haven are real, and each goodbye is also a reminder that love did its job.
One cat in particular holds a special place in Shari’s heart: Marcus.
“He loves to jump up on my back and snuggle and purr in my ear,” she shares. “He would stay there all day if he could.”
Moments like that, quiet, joyful, and unexpectedly tender, are what make volunteering so meaningful.
Being part of rescue has filled Shari’s life with love. But on rare occasions, it also means facing difficult moments. Losses due to illness are uncommon at the haven, but when they do occur, they are felt deeply by those who have cared for that cat.
“It breaks my heart totally,” she says. “The tears don’t stop.”
Even so, those moments exist alongside so much hope. For every challenge, there are so many more successes, recoveries, and happy endings. That balance is what keeps Shari coming back.
“I only wish I could take every cat home with me,” she admits, a feeling many in rescue know well.
For now, she continues to show up, offering her time, care, and heart to each cat who passes through the haven. She looks forward to volunteering for many more years to come, helping cats find safety, comfort, and the loving homes they deserve.
At Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, volunteers like Shari are at the heart of everything we do. Their compassion, commitment, and love make it possible for cats to heal, to trust again, and to find their way home. Every shift, every cuddle, and every goodbye that leads to a new beginning is part of a story worth telling.
Ready to make an impact?
Foster: Fostering a kitten, teenager, or adult cat can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.
Volunteer: Lend a helping hand at a local shelter or rescue organization.
Adopt: Open your heart and home to a furry friend in need.