Meet our volunteers: Cheryl Young

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Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) feral feeders visit community cat colonies around Regina every day to provide food and water, and to check for any new, sick, injured or pregnant cats. We had a chance to catch up with one of these volunteers to learn how she got involved, what motivates her to keep on volunteering and some of her most memorable moments - good and bad!

Cheryl Young is a busy woman working two jobs and caring for her three cats, Bella, Charlie and Nora – not to mention enjoying herself at countless music events around town with her boyfriend. And for the last three years, Cheryl has been a dedicated volunteer committed to providing care for Regina’s abandoned cats and kittens.

How did you get started with RCR?
I knew of People for Animals (RCR’s legal name) for years, but about six or seven years ago a friend of a friend (Alanna Whippler) got very involved with the organization and that sparked my interest again. Of course I thought it was a great thing, I had cats all my life and love all animals (except bugs!). When one of my cats passed away very suddenly in 2009 and then another, so I contacted Alanna and she set me up to see Bella, my first RCR adoption. Later she contacted me to foster a little guy that was found homeless. That lasted about a week and he was no longer a foster - Boo was now my other new baby. Sadly, Boo was hit by a car a couple of years later and after some serious grieving I contacted Alanna again and made arrangements to adopt Charlie. Things had changed in my life at this time, I was divorced, my kids were grown up, I had just finished my last volunteer project and I needed something to do with my time, something that interested me - kitties! Don’t get me wrong I have a very busy life, but it was all about me. I wanted to do something that wasn’t about me. I spoke to another cat lover I worked with and asked her if she would be interested in splitting a feral feeding route with me. Neither of us thought we could commit to every week but we had opposite EDO’s and figured that it would work. I was “in” the first time Leanne took me to show me the route.

What motivates you to keep volunteering with RCR?
There are a few things that keep me motivated. The obvious answer is the cats, but it’s also the organization itself. I brag all the time about all the great things RCR does. Call me an ambassador that spreads the word. I am such a small piece in the big scheme of what RCR does, the others who spend hours feeding babies, fostering, organizing fundraisers, trapping, vet visits … the list goes on, and all of those people keep me motivated. 

My biggest motivation is my mom. I came to be an animal lover quite easily as she was by far the biggest animal person (mostly cats) that I have ever known. She loved coming to help me feed cats and when her health didn’t allow her to help me anymore it was very sad. She passed away in 2014 and I know she would be happy that I have stuck with it. Even when it’s -40°C? Especially when it is -40°C!

What do you enjoy most about feral feeding?
Of course I am happy to make sure the kitties are fed, but back to that ambassador thing. I very seldom go out on my route by myself. I enlist friends and family if it is my day to feed. It is amazing how easy it is to find a volunteer to come help me. I have had help from BC, Alberta and Quebec and countless others from Regina. I like to inform them about the route and the cats, the TNR program and the rescues that I have been part of or been witness to. It makes them aware that these feral cats exist and there are great organizations like RCR that are making a difference. Twice I have had a mom and kid(s) come with me. It is the best. I think it is important that each generation learns how important it is to volunteer and that there are animals out there that need our help, and we get to go for ice cream when we are done.

What's the most challenging part about feeding feral cats?
I think most people would say it’s seeing the cats having to live like they do, but what is challenging for me is my anger. It makes me mad that people are so irresponsible and have a complete disregard for the life of another living thing. They’re not “just a cat (or a dog or a hamster, etc.)” that can be tossed away once you’re bored or they aren’t as cute as they used to be or because you move, etc. Not to mention the abuse! Although challenging, it feeds back to that motivation. RCR is making a difference, I am making a difference.

How do you fit volunteering with RCR into your busy life?
I feed on my EDO only. Regardless of how many other things I have scheduled for that one day off, I make time that day to feed. Yes, it was my turn to feed on Christmas Day this year and it had to be worked into our day. Often people say “You should change your Friday EDO,” my reply is “I can’t. I feed that day.”

What are your most memorable moments as a feral feeder?
I have several! One was finding Bruce, a beautiful snowshoe kitty, a home. He was tame, but there were no foster home available for him. My opposite Friday feeder and I made it our mission to find Bruce a home. The same day I posted his picture at work, he found a home.

More memorable moments are the food fairies and the spreading of knowledge. I can’t count the number of times I have come home to find cat food sitting out on my driveway, donated anonymously by one or more of the wonderful people in my life. I have a friend who adopted through RCR and chose to donate money to RCR rather than having wedding favours for their guests. I even get asked for advice. ;-)

The last one is a long story, but the short version is that my purse was stolen when I was out feeding! It was snatched right from the front seat of my vehicle. This led to a ton of chaos in my life. The thief not only stole my purse, she also proceeded to steal my identity and get credit in my name over the next couple of weeks. I’m far more educated now and have been able to share my experience to help others who have been in similar situations. I no longer take my purse with me and, unless I absolutely have to, I no longer feed alone. It did scare me, but I never for a second thought of quitting. The thief was caught and sent to jail. At the sentencing, they mentioned how horrible it was that I was out volunteering for a local cat rescue when someone did this to me … spreading the word some more!

Would you recommend feral feeding to others?
Of course! Everyone should get out and volunteer. It’s only a little over an hour of your day and it makes all the difference to these cats. Their lives are not easy, but this helps. I’d tell someone thinking of becoming a feral feeder that they need to do it for their reasons and what motivates them. I would also tell them to get the essentials for winter feeding - warm boots, an old warm coat, several pairs of mini mitts and a shovel.

- Interview by Rachel Molnar

If you’re interested in volunteering with the RCR feral cat team, check out the feral cat feeder job description and complete the volunteer application form.