Dawn Divelbliss—Cat Lady Extraordinaire

During his last year of school the JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) provided Jason Divelbliss with the opportunity to gain work experience at our Shelter.  In August 2002, he was hired as a part-time employee.  At this same time, Dawn Divelbliss, Jason’s mother, began her career as a cat caretaker;  Dawn was Jason's transportation provider and, rather than returning home while Jason worked, Dawn decided to volunteer her help with shelter tasks.  Subsequently, Dawn was hired to work weekends, and in April 2005, Dawn became the full-time Cat Lady.

Dawn is a special person and a valuable staff member because she invests herself in her job, truly giving of herself with kindness and energy.  She believes that the well-being of the cats and kittens is her personal responsibility.  Dawn graciously does whatever “extra” is needed, voluntarily transporting cats to PETsMART®, arriving at the Shelter extra-early, and going in to give medications.  She really cares and it shows!

Dawn likes her job because it is “hands-on” with the cats.  As cats have many different personalities and quirks, it is satisfying to match the cats/kittens with the people who come in to adopt.  “Often,” says Dawn, “what they want may not be the best thing; you have to know the cat and get to know the person.”  Dawn appreciates working with the other staff members who are friendly, care about the animals, and have common goals.  The Shelter atmosphere is homey, according to Dawn.  The only negative aspect of her job occurs when her ministrations and medications are not enough to help a suffering feline, and the cat or kitten must be euthanized.

For the future, Dawn would like to have a place to bring in groups of children and adults for humane education.  Even now she enjoys talking with a class of school children or working with a teenager who cares about animals.

Dawn’s message to the readers of this article and to the public:  “We do exist; we are here to help people and animals; if there are questions, call the Shelter.”