Her story

The volunteer who became family.

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There are people who almost unintentionally stumble into our sanctuary and somehow become family. And when we say family, it doesn’t always mean that we all get along perfectly or that everything is rosy and cosy — families can be complicated and dysfunctional too. 😄 But despite all of that, the most important thing is love. And in our sanctuary, if you fit, you fit — like a cat in an uncomfortable box. Sometimes.

What we are trying to say is that Simone came from Germany with all her generosity, big ideas and dedication, and somehow she just fitted in. Especially with our Sofia — those two simply clicked, and what started as volunteering turned into a friendship and collaboration that is very unique and very special. They have their own little language, their own way of doing things, and honestly it is beautiful. Those moments matter.

Simone is also one of those very sensitive people who feels things deeply, and our reality can be a lot to take when you are not used to it. She took on enormous tasks, sometimes looking after the smallest and most fragile babies simply because there was nobody else. Some of those experiences were heartbreaking, but she stayed, she cared, and she gave those tiny creatures everything she could.

And then there is Simone the carpenter! 😂 She built us a little house and a gate, fixed our rather dilapidated buildings as much as one person possibly could, came back and helped build a second little house, and somehow between all of that she also gave a home to our wonderful Sasha.

But what we remember most is not the buildings. It is the babies. There were a few who perhaps were never meant to survive, and Simone gave them so much love that, for however short their lives were, they had the best mommy they could possibly have. And we think this says a lot about her — she is just a bottomless well of love that has nowhere to go at times.

We don’t expect grand gestures from our volunteers all the time. Of course we appreciate them enormously, but what stays with us are the little things — someone sitting with a frightened cat, holding a tiny baby, staying a little longer, coming back, caring when nobody is watching. Those things matter to us more than people probably realise.

And Simone, you have left a little piece of yourself here, and somehow you have also become a little piece of us. ❤️

So yes, this is officially your invitation to come back this autumn. We have cats waiting, Sofia is probably already preparing your next impossible project, there will definitely be something broken for you to fix, and we are sure we can find at least a few tiny creatures who will decide that you are their entire world.

Because once you become part of our family, you don’t really get to leave. You can go back to Germany, but your place here stays yours. ❤️