Leah Muller

In 2011, Leah found a stray cat at work and brought her to Banfield to scan for a microchip. When they didn’t find one, Banfield referred Leah to Chicagoland Animal Rescue, our quaint little shelter nestled inside PetSmart in Downers Grove. Andrea took the cat under her wing and had her vetted back to health. It wasn’t long before the kitty was adopted and CAR gained a valuable volunteer!

Leah started volunteering that fall. Once a week, she visits to clean cages and feed, medicate, and socialize the cats. Her efforts don’t stop there. She also fosters cats who need extra TLC. When asked why she volunteers, Leah explained, “I’m a huge animal person. Animals don’t have voices or ways to fix their own problems, so they need us.”

Raven and Luna were her first fosters. She spent extra time helping Luna break out of her shell. When the pair’s initial adoption didn’t work out, CAR’s safety net ensured their return to the shelter where they stayed until they met their forever humans. Her current fosters are Snicker and Star, “sisters from another mister.” At first, Snicker was frightened by everything, but she now has Leah and her boyfriend wrapped around her paw. “She yells for snuggles and shows her belly to get pet.” Star, still very timid, needs extra socialization and adores Snicker. The two have bonded and even give each other baths!

Leah’s current fosters, Star (perched) and Snicker

Leah’s mom, Kristi, also fosters for CAR. “I guilted her into it,” Leah said. “She works from home and has an extra room!” When Leah isn’t working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with friends and playing games like Yahtzee and cards. She’s pictured here with Puff and Twitch, her beloved cats who lived to ripe old ages before gaining their wings. “In the future,” she says, “I’d like to adopt an older cat duo.”

written by Stacey Field