Det giver mening at være frivillig i Kattens Værn
Mixed Breed · Male
Peter Lauridsen has been a volunteer at Kattens Værn in Brøndby for the past three years. Every Monday at 08:00, male arrives, checks the daily schedule posted in each room, and then loads male's cleaning cart and starts work. Here, cat litter boxes need to be emptied, towels are changed, and cages are cleaned. Vacuuming and mopping floors are also part of the routine, and worn or damaged toys are replaced. Started as a cat cleaner It was once Peter's neighbor who lured him here - it was in 2018. female was also a volunteer. "I started as a cat cleaner for a few hours once a week. This means taking care of the cats - especially those showing the most anxiety and being the most reserved. It is incredibly rewarding when you gain their trust," says Peter. One day, there was staff shortage due to illness, and Peter offered to help. It felt so good that male changed status to volunteer. It was in the middle of kitten season, when the internet is absolutely busiest. There is still time to take care of the cats, but this usually happens simultaneously with male's work. In a situation with a full animal shelter - and even more to do - there is rarely proper time. Peter loves all animals, but "I am very happy with cats," emphasizes male: "They are affectionate and present. Either they accept you, or they don't. And you don't go for a walk with a cat like with a dog; it's not really good for my health," says Peter. male is a premature pensioner and suffers from a debilitating back injury. When the joy was rekindled As a child, male had a cat. In adult life, male got a cat again when the neighbor's cat moved in. The neighbor now works in another animal protection organization and contributes by taking kittens into foster care. Aske could not really cope with that. Peter's girlfriend thought they should try if Aske would live with them. Male did. "And then the joy of cats was rediscovered," states Peter. Yes, sometimes one feels like taking some of the cats home, and in principle, one can have up to three cats where Peter lives. But as hinted, it's not something Aske would value much. Learn on the job One learns on the job as a volunteer, and shifts last four hours. If one is interested, one can also be called upon if there is an urgent need. And one does not work alone, but is supported by an employee. It does not require many qualifications, but one must have received a tetanus vaccination: Cat bites can be dangerous. Peter can definitely recommend becoming a volunteer: If one is cat-friendly - and maybe cannot have a cat oneself - and wants to help make a difference for the cats (and the employees) - then it makes a lot of sense to be a volunteer.
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Peter Lauridsen har gennem de seneste tre år været frivillig hos Kattens Værn i Brøndby. Hver mandag kl. 08.00 når han møder, checker han dagsplanen, der er hængt op i hver af stuerne, og så pakker han ellers sin rengøringsvogn og går i gang. Her skal tømmes kattebakker, skiftes håndklæder og gøres rent i burene, her skal støvsuges og vaskes gulv, og slidt eller defekt legetøj bliver skiftet ud. Startede som kattenusser Det var i sin tid Peters nabo, der lokkede ham herud – det var i 2018. Hun var selv frivillig. »Jeg startede som kattenusser i nogle timer en gang om ugen. Det indebærer, at man tager sig af kattene – især dem, der udviser størst utryghed, og som er mest tilbageholdne. Det er utroligt givende, når man vinder deres tillid,« fortæller Peter. En dag manglede her personale på grund af sygdom, og Peter tilbød at hjælpe med. Det bekom ham så vel, at han ændrede status til frivillig. Det var midt i killingesæsonen, hvor der er absolut travlest på internaterne. Der er stadig tid til at nusse om kattene, men det sker som oftest samtidig med, han arbejder. I en situation med et fyldt internat – og desto mere at gøre – er der dog sjældent rigtig tid. Peter holder meget af alle dyr, men »men jeg er meget glad for katte,« understreger han: »De er kælne og nærværende. Enten accepterer de én, eller også gør de ikke. Og så skal man ikke gå tur med en kat som med en hund; det er mit helbred ikke rigtig til,« fortæller Peter. Han er førtidspensionist og døjer med en invaliderende rygskade. Da glæden blev genvakt Som barn havde han kat. I voksenlivet fik han først kat igen, da naboens kat flyttede ind. Naboen arbejdede nu i en anden dyreværnsorganisation og bidrog blandt andet med at tage killinger i pleje. Det kunne Aske ikke rigtig med. Peters kæreste syntes, de skulle forsøge, om Aske ville bo hos dem. Det ville han. »Og så blev glæden ved katte jo genvakt,« fastslår Peter. Jo, man får ind imellem lyst til at tage nogle af kattene med hjem, og principielt må man have op til tre katte dér, hvor Peter bor. Men som antydet er det ikke noget, Aske ville sætte stor pris på. Læres op Man læres op som frivillig, og vagterne strækker sig over fire timer. Er man interesseret, kan man også tilkaldes, hvis der opstår et pludseligt behov. Og man arbejder ikke alene, men suppleres af en medarbejder. Her kræves ikke voldsomt mange kvalifikationer, men man skal have fået en stivkrampevaccination: Kattebid kan være farlige. Peter kan godt anbefale at blive frivillig: Er man katteglad – og måske ikke selv kan have kat – og vil man være med til at gøre en forskel for kattene (og for medarbejderne) – så giver det i høj grad mening at være frivillig.
- ✓Vaccinated
- ✓Neutered
- ✓Microchipped
- ✓Good with kids
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