Jodi BuntainVolunteer Spotlight
Although I’ve been volunteering with Furry Friends since July 2023, I had known about them for a while. Then, in the spring of 2019, a neighbor asked for our help with a pregnant stray kitty hiding in their outside vent. We investigated and found a beautiful, scared but very friendly silver tabby, not chipped and either lost or abandoned. FF took her in. Although I’d wanted to volunteer for them then, I wasn’t able to do so. But, after losing several four and two-legged family members over a short period, I saw a FF post for a shift that needed volunteers. The timing couldn’t have been better! Volunteering has helped me work through some very difficult times while helping the kitties. Kitty hugs, purrs, and nose boops are the best therapies ever.
I work for two hours every other week as a Halfway House shift member, helping with basic cat care, including cleaning, feeding and watering. Once that’s done, it’s time to play with and love on the kitties. Not adopting them myself is my greatest challenge! If I’ve formed a connection with certain kitties, it’s always difficult when they get adopted, but that’s all part of rescue work. We’re here to help them have a better life, and the goal is always to get them adopted into their forever homes.
I chose a cat rescue because of my love for cats. Animals are soul healers, and so many are sadly abandoned, neglected or abused. Any difference I can make by contributing to helping them directly or indirectly means their suffering is lessened at least in some way. Volunteering is also an excellent opportunity to show my school-aged son how to engage in the community while doing selfless work. He also loves spending time with all of the kitties!
While I’m presently a fulltime caregiver for a differently abled family member and stay-at-home mom, I volunteer with another cat rescue as a temporary foster, have an extensive job experience list, and hope eventually to return to the work force at least part time.
We have one beautiful, sweet 10-year-old kitty named Sunnee, a former neighborhood stray, and the best kitty ever. She stays close to us, follows us from room to room in the house, loves wearing one of her many coats during the winter, and going for walks in her kitty stroller. When the family is home, she’s always with us for family time, and sits with us on the bed for nightly reading sessions.
I’m passionate about programs that offer inclusivity and equal opportunities to differently abled individuals. Neurodivergence acceptance and support is a big focus for me and for our family. I’m also concerned about the mental health crisis. Helping animals through rescue contributes to the betterment of society for both humans and animals. I would like to become more actively involved in facilitating that positivity. And third, the domestic violence crisis and the lack of sanctuary shelters that allow survivors of domestic violence to bring their pets.
My hobbies and interests are widely varied, but genetics and medically complex humans and animals intrigue me most. I like to read/research the latest information, and have extensive personal experience in both areas -- as a neurodivergent person with ND friends and family members. I’m also interested in worldwide women’s issues, and read autobiographies of women's and girls’ struggles for basic survival in third world, war torn countries.
I grew up riding horses and really miss being around them. I love gardening and have roses and herbs that bring me peace during spring, summer and early fall. I love music of all kinds, like to travel, am fascinated by metaphysics, anything to do with the cosmos and crystals, and truly enjoy cooking and baking. In short, there’s no end to my passions and pursuits!
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Furry Friends Volunteer Spotlights are compiled and written by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA.
