20 Years and Over 9,000 Hours: Meet Will K., An ASPCA Volunteer Changing Countless Lives

Will K. was 34 years old the first time he ever spent time with a cat. He had just started a new job, and a senior cat named Elvis was living in the office. On Will’s first day, Elvis walked right up to him, sniffed his leg, turned around and walked away.

“That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship,” said Will. “Over the next six years, until he passed away at an advanced age, I got to know Elvis well. He would frequently sit on my desk and fall asleep while I was working, and I enjoyed his company and helping to care for him.”

It was this relationship with Elvis that turned Will into a cat person.

“I find cats to be interesting and intriguing,” explained Will. “They are so intelligent and perceptive. They are wonderful companions. I find myself always learning from them.”

In March 2006, six years after Will met Elvis, he decided he should try some new activities. He had little experience volunteering but the idea of volunteering for an animal shelter was exciting. After doing some research, he came across the ASPCA’s volunteer program in New York City and signed up.

When he first started volunteering at the ASPCA Adoption Center, Will would come in once a week and would socialize with the shelter cats. He then began participating in a dog behavior class where volunteers played different roles in behavior training activities.

Over time, Will became more involved at the Adoption Center, coming in more frequently. He helped with offsite mobile adoption events, weighed cats and even started to help with adoptions as a greeter, all the while still working on cat socialization.

In 2015, having now had nearly a decade of experience with cat socialization, our volunteer team asked Will if he would be interested in helping with orientating and training new cat socializers.

“That was a new role for me and a bit outside my comfort zone, as I did not have experience mentoring and teaching,” Will told us.  “At first, the newness of being a mentor was challenging, but it was fun. With each Hands-on Training shift I improved and developed and became more comfortable. Over time, I have enjoyed working with new and returning volunteers and orienting them to cat socialization. It is very interesting to hear from people about their cat experience and background and to discuss and educate them on the topic of cat behavior and cat socialization best practices in the shelter setting.”

Making a Difference

Last year, after 19 years of being a star volunteer and mentor, Will was asked to become a Cat Caseworker. This new program comprises a handful of volunteers who support the behavior team by performing behavior treatments with cats who may have elements of fear or are undersocialized or adjusting more slowly to the shelter environment. Will was thrilled by the opportunity and has made massive strides with animals he’s worked with since.

“Recently, two cats came into the Adoption Center after having been abandoned at the entrance,” recalled Will. “One cat was outgoing and was adopted fairly quickly. The other was not showing social behavior. In his condo, he was not responsive and would sit and stare straight ahead. As the days passed, he showed no change and it was uncertain whether he would be able to be adopted.

This cat was “staff-only” for his socialization at that point, so I could not interact with him, but I had noticed him in his condo when socializing with other cats in the room. I was intrigued by what he was experiencing, knowing that he had been abandoned, and by the idea of trying to connect with him, to reach his social side and help him forward toward being adopted.”

Will reached out to the volunteer team about whether he might be able to interact with the shy cat in a limited way, just by offering his presence to see if that might help. Our volunteer team and behavior team approved.

“I am very grateful to them for approving me to visit that cat,” said Will. “It was around the New Year's holiday, and I was able to come into the shelter frequently. When I did, I would open the door to the cat's condo, sit together with the cat and be present, maybe having a conversation, listening to music together on my cell phone or moving a wand toy gently to create some interest. I was amazed, after about a week or so of not much change in the cat's behavior, when he started to come forward, to play with the wand toy and then to hop onto the floor to explore the room where he was living. 

We continued to visit and there was slow progress. I just enjoyed sitting together with him and offering him time and presence. One day, I arrived to visit and learned that the foster team had found a placement for the cat and that he would be going to foster. This was exciting! A few weeks after that the foster team let me know that the cat was doing nicely in the foster home and that the foster companion had decided to adopt the cat! I was thrilled!”

Life Outside of the Adoption Center

While meeting and helping countless animals in the shelter over the years, Will has fallen in love with six kitties whom he made the decision to adopt. The first came soon after the passing of Elvis. Will came in for a shift feeling the emptiness of losing a close friend when he went up to one of the cat rooms to begin his socialization shift. At the first cat condo he approached, the cat was sleeping, so Will didn’t want to disturb them. As he turned to his right, he saw Shawna, a big orange and white cat with her face pressed up against the door of her condo. Will opened the door and Shawna walked right out and into his arms. A few weeks later he adopted her.

Will adopted five more ASPCA cats after Shawna. Sadly, some have passed since then, but three of them are still alive and well! The oldest is 11-year-old Abraham who Will adopted at three months old, the middle is 9-year-old Tony who Will adopted at eight months old and last but not least is the youngest, 7-year-old Adam who Will adopted at nine months old.

Will loves the companionship of his three kitties. He enjoys caring for them and finds he is constantly learning from them.

When he isn’t caring for Abraham, Tony and Adam or volunteering at the Adoption Center, Will spends his time reading about current events and animal rights, and studying Spanish. He also enjoys cooking, baking, trying out new recipes and learning about veganism and the plant-based food industry. He’s also a big sports fan, listening to baseball games on the radio and attending early rounds of the US Open Tennis Tournament in the summer.

20 Years — and Counting!

This year is Will’s 20^th anniversary of volunteering for the ASPCA. He has put in over 9,000 hours of work and has become an integral member of our team.

“Where would we be without Will?” asked Nicole Pulone, senior manager of behavior at the Adoption Center. “When we asked him to join the Cat Caseworker program, he stepped up without hesitation. Will's dedication and quiet, calm demeanor made him a perfect fit for the program from day one. His ability to patiently win over even the most standoffish felines makes him invaluable to the ASPCA. Thank you, Will, for all that you do to help our most vulnerable cats!”

“Will is such an incredible volunteer,” added Julie Sonenberg, senior manager of volunteer engagement. “Over the years, he’s been so dedicated to the cause of helping animals and he pitches in however he’s needed which we’re so grateful for. He is so wonderful with the cats, they just love him! He patiently trains those he mentors on our protocols and how best to interact with cats in the shelter environment. He’s a lovely person and we’re so appreciative that he’s chosen to dedicate his time to helping our animals.”

“Will is one of our most dedicated volunteers,” said Colleen Jaskot, manager of volunteer engagement. “Whether he is socializing our shy cats or training new cat volunteers, he brings patience and compassion to every volunteer role he does with us, and it is truly inspiring. Our animals, staff members and other volunteers are incredibly fortunate that he has been volunteering with us for two decades. He has touched the lives of so many people and animals during his time with us.”

Over the last 20 years, Will has found the most rewarding part of being a volunteer is being able to participate with and contribute to the mission of the ASPCA and to help cats and dogs find new homes.

Will doesn’t just recommend people get involved in volunteering, he offers some advice to those considering it, too!

“Come in consistently. If there is a time that works nicely for your schedule, come in at that time each week. One is always learning through developing experience and also through being in the environment of the shelter, seeing the different processes and learning from the excellent and experienced staff. One also may get to know other volunteers who also come in at the same time and who share a love of animals and a desire to help them.

I also recommend understanding that the shelter is a dynamic place that is always changing, with animals being adopted and new animals arriving and that it helps to be flexible, adaptable and available to help as needed.”

Get Involved During National Volunteer and Responder Appreciation Week

This week is National Volunteer and Responder Appreciation Week and to celebrate, we’re not only highlighting our amazing volunteers like Will, but we’re also encouraging our supporters to get involved!

If you’re interested in signing up to be an ASPCA volunteer or foster caregiver, check out our programs in New York City, Pawling, New York, Los Angeles (cat fostering only), Weaverville, North Carolina, and Columbus, Ohio. You can also find out more information on becoming an ASPCA National Field and Disaster Response volunteer responder here. 

Not in these areas? Learn more about volunteer programs at your local shelter or with our friends at Animal Care Centers of New York City.