Karen Trevor-Roberts

Giving attention to a cat at the shelter, junior Karen Trevor-Roberts performs her responsibilities as a volunteer. Instead of only working two days a week, Trevor-Roberts now works six days a week at the shelter, due to COVID-19. “The animal shelter gives me a place to go so I don’t feel stuck in my house,” Trevor-Roberts said.

While many people spend quarantine watching movies or working out, junior Karen Trevor-Roberts spends her afternoons volunteering at Country Acres Rescue Animal Shelter. 

Trevor-Roberts originally began working at the shelter during her freshman year of high school in order to get volunteer hours for The Congressional Award, and while she has enough hours she still volunteers. 

“I started volunteering [because] I love animals,” Trevor-Roberts said. “Animals are so precious. They will love you as long as you are loving to them.”

While Country Acres has both cats and dogs, Trevor-Roberts only works with the cats. 

“I’m a cat person,” Trevor-Roberts said. “I had a cat for over 10 years so I knew how to interact with them and how to approach them.” 

While many businesses have closed due to COVID-19 pandemic, Country Acres is considered an essential business, because the animals still need volunteers to feed and take care of them. 

“I love knowing that I can make a difference in a cat’s life,” Trevor-Roberts said. “I can help [the cat] be happy just by giving it love.” 

Due to COVID-19, Trevor-Roberts now works shifts alone for six days a week.  

“[Working alone] is difficult because you have to spend more time cleaning,” Trevor-Roberts said. “When there is another volunteer we can split up the work so that it gets done quicker so we can spend more of our attention playing with and petting the cats.”

Through her work at the shelter, Trevor-Roberts is able to form bonds with the animals. 

“[I] learn how to stay positive for the animals because they are really good at reading emotions,” Trevor-Roberts said. “I spend time with [thats] to show that I care about them.” 

Because of COVID-19, the animal shelter has remained busy. Trevor-Roberts encourages people to adopt animals. 

“Because you are stuck at home, [adopting animals] can bring you entertainment and joy,” Trevor-Roberts said. “The [animals] will have a family to give them love and a second chance at a good life.”

While she will only volunteer for a few more weeks, the animal shelter has given Trevor-Roberts a chance to connect and help cats. 

“I love giving [the cats] a second chance to a good life,” Trevor-Roberts said. “Every animal deserves a good home to be a part of and I like to know that I am preparing them for those homes.”