Satish Sadagopan
Meet Satish, CAR volunteer since 2007! He found CAR in a roundabout way, frequenting PetSmart to buy food for his sisters’ cats, Milo and Otis. At the time, Satish had a pet goldfish but hadn’t spent time around four-leggeds. His “nephews” grew on him and introduced a whole new type of love and companionship.
Satish saw the shelter out of the corner of his eye but didn’t visit until years later after both Milo and Otis had crossed the bridge. He missed felines and decided to leave his information at CAR. After talking with CAR’s founder, Andrea, he began volunteering the next week! Satish visited weekly to clean and spend time with cats awaiting homes. He now helps weekly with adoptions in addition to socializing cats and freshening food and water. As an adoption counselor, he welcomes visitors, interviews them, and carefully matches well qualified people with the right companions.
One of the biggest challenges, he says, is finding homes for bonded pairs. One particular success story stands out to him. Senior sister tabbies, Dottie and Trixie (photo of Dottie and Trixie?), were at the shelter for months. Recently, someone with a rescue heart expressed interest in not just two cats but two older cats! Satish facilitated a few meet and greets and had the pleasure of seeing her, Dottie and Trixie go home together.
When asked what motivates him to volunteer, Satish says that helping cats find good homes adds such meaning and a whole new perspective. He’d like potential volunteers to know that it takes only a couple hours a week to make a huge impact on cats in our care, with the added bonus of a great environment and organization.
This time of year is special to Satish. Since childhood, he has loved the holidays and especially holiday music. One of his wishes is a CAR get-together this spring or summer, so volunteers can spend time together. Well, Santa “Claws” heard this wish and will make it happen!
As the seasons change, he looks forward to watching college football and, eventually, gardening and tending to rosebushes. Satish, you have a true zest for life! We thank you for sharing many seasons with CAR kitties, volunteers, and adopters. With you, our organization feels complete!
written by Stacey Field
