March 2026
Meet Martin
By day, Martin is a full-time economist for a financial firm. But in the evenings, Martin takes a break from numbers to help out around the Rescue. His tasks range from general cat care to organizational tasks. You may have seen him representing us at community events, or perhaps you spotted him behind the scenes getting suited up to care for ringworm kitties!
Ringworm Cats Need Love, Too!
Ringworm treatment isn’t exactly a glamorous job. To prevent the spread of spores, full-body PPE must be worn. The lime-sulfur dip reeks of rotten eggs, and affected kitties must be completely coated with the stinky stuff.
But Martin treasures the time he spends volunteering in SAFe’s ringworm ward.
“The ringworm kitties have to be isolated for weeks at a time and often get bored,” he explains. “It’s always a highlight to see how excited they get when you stop by with food and attention!”
There are lots of misconceptions about ringworm, starting with the name. In fact, ringworm isn’t a worm at all, but a fungal infection similar to Athlete’s foot. Cats with ringworm are kept in a separate section of the shelter to prevent other cats from getting it, but they still need affection and enrichment – which is why Martin’s role is so important.
“Proper hygiene and PPE really take the scariness out of it,” Martin says. “The cats appreciate the company!”
From Zero to Six Cats (and volunteering with more)
“When people find out I volunteer here, they say, ‘I would have never taken you for a cat person,’” says Martin. “I did not grow up with any pets.”
Today, Martin and his wife share their home with six cats – including one very special SAFe alum.
“We adopted a small tuxedo kitten named Corazon from SAFe a few years back,” Martin says. “He had been on the adoption floor for some time and was having difficulties finding an adopter because of a heart murmur.”
Above: Corazon spent weeks at SAFe’s Adoption Center before going home with Martin.
“When we signed the adoption papers, the vet came out of the back and teared up, happy that he finally found a home,” Martin remembers. “I’ll never forget that moment. He’s since grown into a healthy and athletic shoulder-cat!”
The experience was so positive that Martin wanted to pay it forward.
“SAFe made a great first impression. The cats are well cared for and receive extensive medical support, and the staff goes out of their way to educate adopters about cat personalities and how to help the kittens safely settle into their new homes,” says Martin. “I also appreciate the community outreach, like the Stay SAFe Pet Pantry.”
Though he was passionate about SAFe’s mission and motivated to help, Martin initially hesitated to sign up to volunteer out of time concerns.
“I work full time, so initially I wondered: “What am I getting myself into? Can I really commit to a couple of hours each week?” Martin says. “That definitely took adjustment, but ultimately it was easier than I thought and absolutely worth it.”
He adds: “I was surprised how easy it was to make volunteering a part of my life. It’s empowering to realize you can improve your community in small ways.”
Thank you, Martin, for devoting your spare time to bringing care and compassion to cats in need!
