AFRP Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

Debbie and Heather Pyles

Debbie and Heather are a mother-daughter team who do a wonderful job nurturing AFRP adult cats that are in need of some special attention. Their efforts produce cats that are socialized, confident, healthy and ready to become somebody?s beloved pet. They are pictured here with Duchess, the adult cat they are currently fostering. Duchess is a sweet but timid cat who is looking for a safe and loving home.

Linda recently interviewed Debbie for this feature.
How did you become involved with AFRP?
While driving to work one morning about 3 years ago, KWAV was doing a spot on AFRP explaining what the organization did and the different ways you could help. It immediately sounded like something Heather and I should do, so I called, filled out a volunteer application, and the rest is history!
What is so special about fostering adult cats?
If you are a working family, fostering adult cats is the way to go! They initially require a safe little room to call their own and then eventually they can integrate into the rest of the household. It doesn?t require quite as much supervision as fostering kittens. I like to remind myself that each one of these cats has a history and has probably had someone loving and caring for them until their circumstances changed and they ended up at the shelter. They have to be suffering from the loss. I think that one of the greatest gifts you can give to an older cat is to remind them that they are still loved and wanted.
What have been the rewards of fostering adult cats?
Heather and I have both grown so much from our experiences fostering cats. I now realize that my daughter has become an incredibly important part of the process. Each and every time I bring a new cat home she just ?loves them up? like she can?t get enough of them. We recently fostered a cat that had come from a very abusive home. He was not able to socialize in the cages at Posh Pets and had become very aggressive. We brought him home and both of us were able to work with him for a few months until he was no longer afraid of being abused. In fact, Heather had gotten so good with him that he would lay on his back so she could rub her face on his belly, and he wouldn?t budge!
We screened the potential adoptive families and were able to deliver the cat to his new home. While we miss him terribly, but for us it was one of the most rewarding things we have ever done.
Thank you Debbie and Heather for making a difference in the lives of homeless adult cats!

Every Volunteer Makes a Difference
Won?t you help us rescue more dogs and cats by becoming a volunteer?

AFRP depends on foster volunteers and donations from the general public to rescue approximately 1,000 dogs and cats each year. AFRP has many rewarding volunteer opportunities available. Get involved today!

If there is anything else you would like to know about Animal Friends Rescue Project, please email us at info@animalfriendsrescue.org or call us at (831) 333-0722. Also, let us know if you are interested in joining our mailing list.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Debbie and Heather Pyles
Debbie and Heather are a mother-daughter team who do a wonderful job nurturing AFRP adult cats that are in need of some special attention. Their efforts produce cats that are socialized, confident, healthy and ready to become somebody?s beloved pet. They are pictured here with Duchess, the adult cat they are currently fostering. Duchess is a sweet but timid cat who is looking for a safe and loving home. Linda recently interviewed Debbie for this feature. How did you become involved with AFRP? While driving to work one morning about 3 years ago, KWAV was doing a spot on AFRP explaining what the organization did and the different ways you could help. It immediately sounded like something Heather and I should do, so I called, filled out a volunteer application, and the rest is history! What is so special about fostering adult cats? If you are a working family, fostering adult cats is the way to go! They initially require a safe little room to call their own and then eventually they can integrate into the rest of the household. It doesn?t require quite as much supervision as fostering kittens. I like to remind myself that each one of these cats has a history and has probably had someone loving and caring for them until their circumstances changed and they ended up at the shelter. They have to be suffering from the loss. I think that one of the greatest gifts you can give to an older cat is to remind them that they are still loved and wanted. What have been the rewards of fostering adult cats? Heather and I have both grown so much from our experiences fostering cats. I now realize that my daughter has become an incredibly important part of the process. Each and every time I bring a new cat home she just ?loves them up? like she can?t get enough of them. We recently fostered a cat that had come from a very abusive home. He was not able to socialize in the cages at Posh Pets and had become very aggressive. We brought him home and both of us were able to work with him for a few months until he was no longer afraid of being abused. In fact, Heather had gotten so good with him that he would lay on his back so she could rub her face on his belly, and he wouldn?t budge! We screened the potential adoptive families and were able to deliver the cat to his new home. While we miss him terribly, but for us it was one of the most rewarding things we have ever done. Thank you Debbie and Heather for making a difference in the lives of homeless adult cats! Every Volunteer Makes a Difference Won?t you help us rescue more dogs and cats by becoming a volunteer? AFRP depends on foster volunteers and donations from the general public to rescue approximately 1,000 dogs and cats each year. AFRP has many rewarding volunteer opportunities available. Get involved today!