Volunteer Tail: Bobbi Schneider's Cataquarium

When Bobbi Schneider came across a litter of 12-day-old kittens back in 2005, she took them in and raised them --an act that inspired her to return to school, earn a degree as a licensed Veterinary Technician and open her own rescue operation.

Today, The Schneider Cataquarium helps homeless cats in Highland, New York get adopted.

Named for its unique free-roam living situation, the Cataquarium serves as a no-kill haven for cats awaiting adoption and works to reduce the stray/feral population in the area through spay/neutering and the operation of a "trap, spay/neuter, release" program.

"It sounds like a lot, but I was just tired of seeing cats face either euthanasia or the streets for no good reason," she said. "Could you imagine facing a medical situation, going to the doctor's office and being told you'd have to be put down because you have no money to fix it? How sad is that?" says Schneider.

The Cataquarium prides itself on its rigorous adoption process. Schneider has organized personalized screenings in order to ensure that the cats released for adoption are finding suitable homes with owners capable of taking care of them.

But running such a rigorous business is not always easy. Primarily, the shelter is run on adoption donations. During tough economic times, it's often Schneider herself who picks up the facility's operating costs in order to keep the Cataquarium afloat.

"There are no paid employees, only volunteers, and 100% of any donation goes towards food, litter and vet bills," she says. "I paid for the set-up and start-up of the actual facility out of my own pocket, which was close to $10,000. I still personally pay for the electric, the garbage, the website and the phone."

Since its incorporation in 2009, the shelter has adopted out 75 cats and completed 45 "trap, spay/neuter, release" programs. "I'm hoping to expand the building," says Schneider, and donations would go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Volunteer Tails Take Action

In furthering Schneider's cause, we asked her to issue a simple, powerful challenge that Petside readers can take on to help shelter pets.

"The major challenges I face concern space and money," she said. "It's sad to have to turn down a cat in need because I have no space because no one is adopting. I challenge people to adopt from their local shelter to make room for the less fortunate ones on the street. If you can't adopt, donate to make more room!"

If interested, donations can be made to The Schneider Cataquarium via PayPal through their website.

For further reading on The Schneider Cataquarium, visit their website at http://cataquarium.com.

Petside.com is donating $500 to The Schneider Cataquarium as a big "Thanks!" to Bobbi Schneider.