Rescue cats in Summerland need to learn human kindness

Many cats at Critteraid Animal Sanctuary have been rescued from lives of abuse and abandonment, and fear humans as a result. 

That's where the volunteers at the sanctuary come in, slowly earning the trust of the cats and showing them their first glimpse of human kindness, in the hope the cats will one day be ready for adoption into a forever home.  

"Happy interactions with people is a huge part of that process," animal director Jess Byer said. "The cats just blossom hearing comforting voices, not angry, not scary, not chasing them off the property. Just loving voices."

The sanctuary is currently in need of more volunteers to be cat-cuddlers, cleaners and general helpers. 

"Our volunteers are our lifeblood, we are all volunteers, from our director to the youngest little poop-scooper up here," Byer explained. 

"We want to bring people the same joy we get every day meeting these cats, from seeing them homeless and hurting to thriving and up for adoption."

The shelter is full of cats who would greatly benefit from some loving attention from a volunteer — everything from tiny kittens who need the sound of a kind voice reading a book, to scared seniors from the streets who need a patient friend to show them a gentle hand. 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Critteraid volunteer, contact Jess Byer at  250-488-3226.