March 6, 2015: "In my next life, I'd like to come back as a cat." - Patti J. Moran

Cat shelter volunteer needs online votes to win $25,000.

Even dog lovers might consider voting for feline fan and Dearborn Animal Shelter do-gooder Sue Barna, who represents Michigan in an online contest for Cat Shelter Volunteer of the Year.

The contest, sponsored by Purina Cat Chow, will award $25,000 to the winner for a cat quarters makeover.

Every Tuesday and Friday for the last six years, Barna has arrived at the Dearborn Animal Shelter to clean up and cuddle up to some 40 cats.

Barna, 61, lives in Livonia, but was drawn to the Dearborn shelter because instead of caging its cats, the animals are allowed to move freely while contained in old mobile modular trailers on the shelter's property.

During her shift, she mops floors, tidies up and empties cat litter boxes. And then just pets and plays with cats.

" If you have to be a shelter animal, it's not a bad place to hang out while you're waiting for your forever homes," Barna said. Even through recuperation from hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries, Barna said she couldn't wait to get back to her cats.

" It's just an honor to volunteer there. I just love it," she said. "I was at that shelter just as soon as I could. I take it very, very seriously."

Sandra Boulton, a Dearborn Animal Shelter spokeswoman, said the shelter is lucky to have Barna.

" It's wonderful to highlight a volunteer who just works tirelessly to help cats," Boulton said. "Her socialization with them helps them become familiar with human touch, and helps them become far more adoptable."

At home with her husband, Serge Barna, Sue Barna dotes on two Russian Blue cats — 13-year-old Ollie, and 10-year-old Fiona — she brought home from the shelter last fall.
During the Great Recession in 2009 she was laid off from a project management position with an automotive supplier and decided to focus on doing good work while feeling good about it.

" I wanted to figure out what my passions were," said Barna, and spending time with animals was one of them. She's also a reading tutor on Wednesday at Hoover Elementary School in Livonia, and volunteers at the cancer center at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia.
Supporters can cast one vote daily between now and March 15 at www.catchow.com. At the site, click on Building Better Lives, then click on See Volunteers, and click on Michigan to vote for Barna..

"My Infinite Gratitude"

The following is a relatively short yet very heartening list of those who have contributed in support of the Infinite Cat Project over the years. In lieu of listing the names in any intelligent way I decided to post them alphabetically. It's not a perfect system, as those of you of Polish descent get the shaft again <grin> but at least it helps me keep the names straight.

In case you're wondering, names in white indicate donations of $5 or less, while green notates donations in excess of $10. The single listing in orange is for a very exceptional cat lover who recently earned the prestigious "Quadruple Kittyhead" for her generous and continuing support. (You know who you are and I want to have your children.)