Deirdre is an amazing volunteer who is dedicated to assisting at the front desk, promoting cats for adoption and helping to keep the cat page on our website up-to-date. She’s an adopter too!
When and why did you begin volunteering at the APS?
I started volunteering in early 2011. I had been looking for a new volunteer project for a long time. My roommate was also thinking of adopting a cat, and I had never had a pet before. I figured I could learn something while I was helping out.
Tell me about your job here. What do you like most?
I mostly work at the front desk. I make sure all the cat paperwork is up-to-date and that everything matches what is on the cages and on the website. I’ve also been a foster parent and I help out with cat adoption events. My favorite part is watching a family visit with an animal, then come to the desk and say, “We love him! When can we take him home?”
What animals do you have at home?
I used to be a strict “dog person”. I didn’t think I liked cats, but somehow I’ve ended up with two and I love them! Chelsea is about 2 and a half and Shirley is around 1. They are both big black cuddle-monsters.
Are there any stories about a particular animal here or anything else you’d like to share?
There have been so many awesome cats that have come through the shelter, but I think the one that’s sticking in my mind most right now is Pandora. She was a beautiful calico, but as soon as people would get near her pen, she would start yowling to get their attention. I think it turned a lot of people off, they thought she would be too noisy. Fortunately, after she had been here for months and months, there was a couple that feel in love with her picture on the website. They were able to look past her talkativeness, and once they got her out of the cage, she quieted right down and snuggled with them. All she wanted was someone to visit with her! I love that kind of success story.
Tell me a little about what you like to do when not here.
My day job is as a fundraiser for a non-profit cancer research group, the Chordoma Foundation, here in Durham. I also sing with the Choral Society of Durham and serve on their board. I love to cook, read, and go see live music and plays.
