How to Help Cat Shelter Get $25,000 Makeover

Dearborn Animal Shelter volunteer Sue Barna is treats her unpaid gig “like she’s earning a paycheck,” Purina says. (Photo submitted)

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A local animal shelter volunteer is in the running for Purina Cat Chow’s Shelter Volunteer of the Year, a title that would come with a $25,000 makeover at the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

Sue Barna is the Michigan nominee in the competition among volunteers at 50 cat-focused shelters across the country, including Dearborn Animal Shelter, 2661 Greenfield Road.

The behind-the-scene volunteers typically clean the visiting rooms, foster cats and kittens, and spend countless hours simply petting the cats to keep them calm and happy.

From now through Sunday, March 15, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is asking the metro Detroit community to vote for Barna’s story at www.catchow.com. According to her the Barna’s profile on the voting page, she treats the twice-a-week unpaid volunteer gig “like she’s earning a paycheck.”

“My favorite part is sitting down at the end to connect with the cats,” she says. “These awesome felines crave human affection. And I get as much love as I give.”

In addition to the winning shelter makeover, four runners-up volunteers will each win a $5,000 donation for their shelter.

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Each participating shelter gets a $1,000 donation, as well as Purina food and cat-care supplies.

If Barna wins the volunteer award, the Dearborn Animal Shelter will use the cash donation to create a gentler environment for cats.