June 12, 2011
I met Cheryl Tuller who co-founded WildCat Haven when I attended a volunteer meeting in 2005. Cheryl and her husband Mike are the hardest working people I have ever met and have poured their time, money, and hearts into providing a good home for wildcats that are unwanted by the people who bought them thinking they would make a "great pet".
After I found out that WildCat Haven was not open to the public because many of the cats living there had been abused just increased my admiration for the Tullers. It would have been VERY easy for them to buy an accessible piece of property and make lots of money by charging admission to view the cats. Instead they kept it private which makes fundraising much more difficult because you are asking people to donate to something they can't see. However when people understand why WildCat Haven is private they always say that it should be this way.
As a 501C3 nonprofit organization all donation and grant money spending is overseen and approved by a board of directors. I think the world of Mike and Cheryl and all the volunteers at WildCat Haven. They are selfless, work hard, and are dedicated to providing these "thow away" cats the home they always should have had but didn't get the first time around.
After I found out that WildCat Haven was not open to the public because many of the cats living there had been abused just increased my admiration for the Tullers. It would have been VERY easy for them to buy an accessible piece of property and make lots of money by charging admission to view the cats. Instead they kept it private which makes fundraising much more difficult because you are asking people to donate to something they can't see. However when people understand why WildCat Haven is private they always say that it should be this way.
As a 501C3 nonprofit organization all donation and grant money spending is overseen and approved by a board of directors. I think the world of Mike and Cheryl and all the volunteers at WildCat Haven. They are selfless, work hard, and are dedicated to providing these "thow away" cats the home they always should have had but didn't get the first time around.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the condition of cats when they first arrive at WCH - often underweight, infections, broken bones, and nervous. I then see the results of the care they receive - a normal weight, playing because their bones or injuries are healed, and totally relaxed with toys, boxes, and pools to play in.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change absolutely nothing about it.
More feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Nothing - this is the best place I have ever worked for.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Sad that people abuse animals in such awful ways - especially exotic animals that were never meant to be pets
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Proud that I am making a difference in the lives of animals that would have been euthanized otherwise
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
MY ROLE:
Volunteer & I look for events to have a booth to raise awareness of captive breeding as well as awareness of WildCat Haven, run WildCat Haven's Ebay store, and request donations from local businesses for WCH fundraising events.