Meet Pamela! Pamela is the founder, leader, and organizer for Feral Cat Assistance & Trapping (FCAT). For the past 25 years this all-volunteer organization has been work to limit the population of feral cats through trap, neuter, release, taming, and fostering. Pamela also fosters for RASKC, providing especially skilled care in transforming feral cats and kittens into adoptable animals. And she is the person who has recruited more foster volunteers to RASKC than any other volunteer. Thank you, Pamela!

Q: How did you hear about RASKC?

A: I’ve known about King County Animal Care & Control (now known as RASKC) for at least 20 years, since I began doing rescue work.

Q: What made you want to volunteer, especially to work with animals?

A: My purpose in life is to help feral cats through trap, neuter, and release (TNR). I also tame many “spicy” cats, about 20 RASKC felines so far, so that they do not have to return the dangers of feral world.

Q: What have you gained from your experience as a volunteer with RASKC and as the leader of FCAT?

A: Helping feral cats is the main thing. Last year FCAT volunteers and I helped 633 cats. Some years we have helped over 1,000 cats. If you count the cats that we indirectly helped by loaning TNR equipment to groups elsewhere in the state, then the number is a lot more. I work with a wide variety of rescue organizations but only one shelter- RASKC!

Q: What is your life motto?

A: “One is better than none.” This refers to when I train people how to do TNR. Sometimes they get discouraged if go out and trap only one cat… but that’s one cat who has been helped! I also like to say, “If it ain’t fixed, it doesn’t belong to anyone.” I know that can be a controversial statement to some people, but I truly believe in limiting unplanned feline pregnancies. If you see an unaltered cat, take action. Contact FCAT or scoop up the cat and bring it to RASKC if you live in the area.

Q: Tell us about your pets.

A: I have two dogs and five cats.

Q: Describe a memorable moment you’ve had as a RASKC volunteer.

A: I am extremely honored when RASKC staff place their trust in my skills, knowledge, and experience to work with some of the most challenging cats and kittens. I remember when Animal Care Tech Brandy contacted me to help five kittens, including two little white boys. White cats can be very vulnerable to predators in feral world. I was successful in helping them all. I socialized some of the kittens, and I enlisted the help of other FCAT volunteers to help tame them. All of these kittens were ultimately adopted!

Q: What else would you like to say about volunteering for RASKC?

A: I love working with all of the RASKC staff. I especially admire RASKC Manager Gene Mueller, who has moved the shelter to phenomenal success.

Q: Fun facts?

A: I own a house-cleaning business. It allows me to spend most of my waking hours helping cats.

For a lot of my adult life, I loved to scuba dive. When I was 18 years old, I learned how to scuba in the dead of winter in the freezing waters outside of Edmonds. I dove mostly in Puget Sound. There is so much more to see in cold waters than in warm waters— like very friendly wolf eels, octopuses, anemone, ratfish, sturgeon, and more. The only time I dove in warm waters, I was under for 90 consecutive minutes (!) near Kona, Hawai’i.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? We’d love to have you join us! Simply sign up for New Volunteer Orientation to learn more!