Lenore McFeely

Lenore & Biscuits visit Santa this past winter!

In 2010, Lenore lost her job & was forced into an early retirement after also having put her dog down.  Bored one weekend, she visited PetSmart even though she no longer had a pet.  Coincidentally, she saw a sign for Chicagoland Animal Rescue looking for volunteers and decided to fill out an application.  13 years later; she is still a dedicated volunteer for our team at the beautiful age of 84!

Lenore lives with her twin sister and reflects on how everyone in her family loves animals.  "My whole family loves animals.  We all have rescue pets:  my sons and daughters too.  We can't get away from them!  I wouldn't have it any other way."  She grew up on a farm with animals all over and later in life, she started out with a pet dog.  After the dog passed, her vet suggested she come and check out some of their kittens looking for a home.  And she ended up a cat mom, bringing home 2 cats with her.

After losing these 2 cats many years later, she ended up fostering 2 more cats for Chicagoland Animal Rescue and decided to keep them!  Allow us to introduce you to Biscuits and Muffin... 

Biscuits (l) and Muffin (r)

Meanwhile, she moved to a townhome where a litter of feral cats came to hide in her backyard.  They all eventually left, except for one feral cat who kept coming back no matter what:  her name is Miss Kitty.  She got her fixed and 16 years later continues to let this cat be outdoors, except for in the winter when she gets spoiled with a heated blanket.  And Lenore loves her just as much as Biscuits and Muffin.

Happily spoiled Miss Kitty

Lenore is full of spunk and love for animals.  She dedicates quite a bit of time to taking care of our pets, and she is very passionate.  She's proof that age is just a number and what counts is your heart and dedication.  If you've ever had doubts about becoming a volunteer, I hope our 84 years young Lenore makes you think otherwise!

Also, the final moral of this volunteer's story is:  once you go cat, you never go back!  And you'll love it.

contribution by Alisa Kolar