My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been volunteering at Kitty Corner for 4 years now. My duties on my shift are to tidy up and spend time with the kitties and help socialize them so they have a better chance of being adopted.
If I was ever asked what kitty stands out for me (and there are many!), I would have to go with one particular girl who was extremely shy and timid. Bunny.
Bunny was a beautiful Tortoiseshell kitty that was about as scared as they come. A visit with Bunny meant hisses and paw swats (she would not swat you, just sort f swat at the floor to send a message to you). She was scared and she did not want anyone coming too close. Feeding her meant leaving the dish for her to come and eat when you left the room
Somehow I knew, from watching her and spending time with her that she was a super sweet girl who had something happen to her that made her this way. Through daily logs I knew that other volunteers where having similar experiences with Bunny, but we all just kept at it. We let her hiss and we let her swat and we just sat near her and spoke to her.
One day, our programs director, Chrissy Wilberg shared a video with the volunteers. It was of her petting Bunny. In the video we saw Bunny come out from her hiding spot and eagerly accepting pets from Chrissy. Something in Bunny was changing.
A few shifts later, after feeding all the kitties I decided to pay Bunny a visit. I laid down by her and put my hand in front of her, she didn't hiss, she didn't swat. I decided to try and pet her. She let me and tears slowly welled up in my eyes as I watched her soak up the neck scratches and chin rubs. I will never forget the sweet look on her face as she started purring.
After 8 months of trying, I was finally petting Bunny.
The loving and committed volunteers and staff had released Bunny from her shell and it was indescribably beautiful to witness.

A while later, something else wonderful happened.... Bunny was adopted!! Off she went to her new life and her new home, her forever home.
Sometime later her adopter sent us some pictures of Bunny in her new life. There she was in her bed, cozy and confident. The scared Bunny just a memory now.

Stories like Bunny's are why shelters like Kitty Corner are so special. Watching animals transform and learn to trust is what it is all about. A second chance at a new life full of afternoon naps in sunbeams, playing, climbing and being surrounded by love.