July 2020 MVP: Kathryn Anderson

When Kathryn Anderson retired in July 2019 she was sure she wanted to do some volunteer work. She didn’t have to look very far.

Her son, David Blanchette, volunteered in the Winnipeg Humane Society clinic and was selected as WHS MVP in July of 2019. “He got me interested in the Humane Society as a place where I could volunteer once I retired,” she said. “But his picture is up on the wall at the shelter so I’m afraid mine will go up instead.”

The other factor in selecting a place to volunteer was Kathryn’s life-long love for cats. “I’ve had cats probably all of my adult life,” she pointed out. “In 2005 I had five cats. Over the years they passed away, one by one. The last one passed away in February of this year and I lasted for four days without a cat.

“I adopted one in February again (her first male cat) and I just adopted my two-year-old female a few weeks ago, “ she continued. “So now I’m stopping at two. I can get my cat fix at the Humane Society.”

Kathryn started out her volunteer career at WHS working in Kitty Cat Way. Then she was off for a while because of the changes required with the pandemic. “Just recently I was asked back to work in the Cat Condos because that’s where all the cats are right now for the soft opening,” she explained.

“I’ve been loving it there. The condos are nice. You can get in there and play around with the cats and socialize with them more.”

All the cats tug at her heart strings, but Kathryn especially likes working with the cats who are a bit shy. “They stay in their little crates and they won’t come out at first,” she said. “But the more you visit them, they get a little braver until they’re finally coming out and sitting on your lap, wanting to be petted when you come for a visit.” Her male cat, Rene, was one of those shy cats and now is one of the most affectionate cats she’s ever had. “But it took a couple of weeks before he would come close to me,” she laughed.

In addition to working with the cats twice a week, Kathryn also helps out with the vegetable gardens behind the shelter. “I was in on a zoom call a while back and they were looking for volunteers with the gardens and I’m an avid gardener, so I thought ‘why not?’” She volunteered for a planting party earlier this spring and now comes once a week to do some weeding and watering, if required.

Kathryn says she’s an avid gardener but most of her plants at home are perennials so she hasn’t had too much gardening work at home. So this opportunity to get her hands dirty was welcomed. “I love to weed,” she pointed out.” I just love getting down on my hands and knees in the garden and weeding.”

And just to put a bit more on her plate, she’s now signed up to volunteer once a week for the WHS Curated Used Book and DVD Sale.

Kathryn plans on keeping volunteering as much as her schedule allows. “I love being there. The people are like family. There’s lots of volunteer opportunities and it’s a fantastic place to volunteer at. Everyone is so nice and so friendly.”

Written by: Brian Kozak, Volunteer