Tabetha and Martin Rasmussen: Volunteer Spotlight
“Tabetha and I have been volunteering with Furry Friends since the Milky & Coco’s Kit-Tea Café opened,” says Martin.
“We saw on social media that they needed volunteers, asked if we could do a shift together, and we now spend between one and two hours a week there. Our tasks include keeping the cat areas clean, answering guests’ questions about the cats, monitoring their food, water and litter, and trying to ensure that each cat is accounted for … which can be tough when they hide so well!
“Watching the cats slowly get more comfortable and playful is beautiful. Knowing that this enriches both their lives and human lives is rewarding. Loving on the kitties is therapeutic, creates ‘happy brain chemicals,’ and it's wonderful having something constructive and fun to do together as newlyweds.
“The most challenging part has been getting used to the ‘back end’ of the volunteer process, which I think is common for every new volunteer. Not to mention growing attached to the cats and coming back the following week to see that they’re gone because they were adopted!
“Our proudest moment was learning that over 72 cats had been adopted through the Café alone. It blows our minds! It’s probably in the 100’s by now, and we know volunteers play a substantial role in helping to make that happen.
“Outside of Furry Friends, Tabetha works as a medical assistant and I work as an IT technician. As to why we give back: it’s enriching for us personally and the bonus is it’s for a good cause. We’re particularly passionate about mental health awareness and social and emotional skill development in underrepresented communities and youth.
“We don’t have any pets as yet since we recently moved here from the Seattle area, but we plan on adopting a cat or two once we’re ready. And because of our volunteering, we can get to know some of the cats and maybe choose (or get chosen) by one or (two!). We’re also in the process of starting a 29-gallon freshwater fish tank community! In the meantime, my parents live nearby, allowing us to visit their dog, Stella, and their two cats, Misa and Zina, often.
“Just for fun: Tabetha enjoys gaming, house plants, journaling, arts and crafts, psychology, culture, philosophy and religion, while I enjoy cooking, gaming, trivia, history and science, and am a certified ‘meme lord.’ LOL.”
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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.
