Gloria Ferrante: Volunteer Spotlight

This is an autobiographical volunteer spotlight by one of our wonderful Furry Friends volunteers. She also creates some of the coolest 3D printed items and sells them as a fundraiser for Furry Friends.

My name is Gloria, but I also go by G. I have been a volunteer at Furry Friends since May 14th, 2025, on the Wednesday PM shift. We all have a story about why we’re here. This is part of mine.

This is my love letter to Furry Friends.

A lot can happen in 365 days.

In 2025, Furry Friends helped 1,000 cats find their forever home.

Photos are of Gloria working at her first Furry Friends event

I could tell you about what led up to me being a volunteer, like the lengthy spreadsheet of donations I emailed to Jenn that April, with every item hyperlinked and quantity listed. Or I could tell you about how, when I applied, I sent Kelli a letter of recommendation before I even knew her name, because I thought it would help my chances of becoming a volunteer. I could tell you about the tears I fought back during the first two shifts after being trained.

Instead, I want to tell you about the first cat I got to know at Furry Friends. The one who changed everything for me.

Oscar was the first

When I started, Oscar was in the blue room at HH before he got moved to the front of the house. At that point, I had identified Oscar as the perfect cat, the sweetest and goodest of good boys. I’d come in week after week, wondering why he was still around… anyone would be lucky to adopt him.

He had been to multiple vets, and the diagnosis kept changing, but Furry Friends was going to give him a chance. I think we all felt a wide range of emotions, from misinformed anger to an outpour of love, thoughts, and prayers for his recovery.

Then it was a weekend. Tanika needed to be at adoption events, and there would be several hours between shifts, and Oscar would be alone.

I had this overwhelming urge to do something, but I was still so new and felt a little helpless. I didn’t know how to give him fluids or meds. I didn’t know if I knew how I’d react if I needed to respond to an emergency. Would I panic and freeze? Would I be able to help? Would I be able to get him to help quickly? I didn’t know if I could actually help the way I thought he might need.

But I knew I could go and sit with him so he wouldn’t be alone. So, I did that. I packed my tablet and charger and sat with Oscar for five hours. He watched fish and coral documentaries. I talked to him and told him how loved he was and how we were all rooting for him. I told him about how handsome he was and how important it was for him to try to eat. I posted updates and was met with relief, gratitude, support, and encouragement. Jenn came in to give him fluids, and I was finally able to have a one-on-one conversation with her for the first time. I began to understand what made Furry Friends so special. The love and common goal that everyone shares is SO inspiring.

In that moment, I also learned that I didn’t need to be perfect. I didn’t need to know everything. I didn’t have to show up as anything more or different than I was, and it was enough. What I had to give, albeit as small as it felt, was enough. It helped.

Oscar soon went to a foster home and has since been foster failed. Chris Nash adopted him, and knowing she is a member of a Furry Friend volunteer family makes it such a perfect story for him. It feels right.

I tried my hand at fostering, but I failed, and I couldn’t be happier about it. One year later, I still show up and sit with cats who just need to not be alone for a bit. I affectionately call my visits ‘Dinner Dates.’ I’ve learned so much in the last year as a volunteer here, and I think I’ve even started to make some friends along the way.

A lot can happen in 365 days. 1000 cats and at least one human.

Thank you, Furry Friends, for helping me find home.

With immeasurable love and gratitude,

Gloria Ferrante

*If you or someone you know is feeling a little lost and looking for somewhere they can make a difference, please consider becoming a volunteer or foster for Furry Friends. The cats in our community deserve better from us. Please visit www.furryfriendswa.org for resources and information about how to help.

A new 3D print is available at HH to celebrate this precious little milestone of mine. If you have Jack Skellingcat and Sally Cat from the Nightmeow before Catmas auction, this little guy will snap into the base of those cats and add to your growing collection. As always, 100% of proceeds go to Furry Friends, and I’m asking for a $10 minimum donation to help with the medical building fundraising efforts. Please donate to Furry Friends directly. If this is not in your budget and you want one, please reach out to me; we can figure something out.

I promise you to always have this print available. If we run out, I will print more.

There is also a special *fancy* version of this print made for Virginia Huang as a very small thanks for her incredibly generous donation and support for Furry Friends.

(Furry Friends has my unconditional permission to use the above in any way that may be helpful)