Rob interviewed Tara Sorenson and Stacey Richolson of Purr Nation Cat Alliance - pictured here with Tic Tac.
What do you do and how did you start Purr Nation?
Tara: Purr Nation Cat Alliance is a non-profit feline safe haven. We rescue cats from high-kill shelters and other desperate situations and provide temporary care and safe refuge before they can be adopted into forever homes. We partner with professionals and cat experts in the community to educate the public and promote community awareness and involvement. I met Stacey in September 2016. I had a confusing medical issue with a cat and was referred to Stacey who fostered the cat. Tic Tac is the name of the cat who was the foundation of everything and is the mascot of Purr Nation. We realized that their outlooks and visions aligned and decided to combine our efforts and expertise to form Purr Nation Cat Alliance.
Who was the first cat you rescued?
Stacey: I have always rescued cats, since childhood in the neighborhood and through college when students would often leave their cats behind. I would try and find homes for them.
Tara: I adopted my first cat who lived for 10 months with Feline leukemia. When she passed I adopted 2 cats in her honor. Through this process I was exposed to volunteering with cats and saw first hand how many cats were in need. This all evolved into starting our own rescue.
On average how many cats do you save every year?
Last year just over 500. Now that we are a fiscal sponsor of the Grey Project (see previous Rob's Rescues interview) that number is going to increase substantially.
What is the youngest cat you have every saved?
We took in a mom cat with 2 kittens that were 1 day old from Cobb County Animal Control.
What is a story that you love to tell?
Our favorite story is about Tic Tac. Tic Tac encompasses our commitment to a single cat. We didn't take the easy route with him. It was recommended that he be euthanized with the medical issues he had but we felt he deserved so much more. Peter is another cat we like to talk about. We got him from Calhoun Animal Control and he got very sick after neuter. He was subsequently adopted by a wonderful family and became the son's best friend. We specialize in injured or ill animals. Stacey has a vet tech background.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
We work full time with the cats and love and hug on them every day.
What is the least favorite thing about your job?
When we lose a cat. We do everything we can for our cats and when we lose one we take it very hard.
What do you want the community to know about you?
We are passionate about helping cats. We are accessible to the community and are not just a rescue agency. We work hard to educate people on caring for cats, developing educational programs and being a community resource.
What advice do you have for me?
Follow your passion and keep the greater good in mind.
What can I do to help you?
We always need foster homes. We also need volunteers to do donation drives, fund-raising and so many other opportunities - there is a job for anyone interested in helping. Please visit our website at : www.purrnation.org. Saturday afternoons we do adoptions at PetSmart in Woodstock on Highway 92 and PetSmart Merchants Walk in Marietta.