Meet the Volunteer of the Month: Nadia Piatetsky
Everything RAPS does is possible only because of a small army of volunteers! This month, we recognize Nadia Piatetsky as our celebrated Volunteer of the Month!
What is your role at RAPS?
As a volunteer, my responsibilities include feeding, washing dishes, refreshing water, scooping litter boxes, changing bedding, sweeping, and mopping.
How long have you been volunteering and/or working with RAPS?
It’s only been 4 months, but I already feel like part of a big family, thanks to the incredibly friendly atmosphere and strong sense of unity!
What makes you committed to RAPS?
I’m committed to RAPS because everything here is filled with genuine love and care for the cats. When I first visited the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, I was truly impressed – every inch of the vast territory has been carefully designed for the cats. No matter where you look, there are cozy spots everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Everything here is thoughtfully planned for their safety and to respect their personal boundaries, as each cat has its own unique personality. Some are very active and curious, some are shy and enjoy solitude, some are social and playful, and some are rebellious and independent. No cat here will be petted against its will. And that’s amazing!
Most importantly, every cat matters here. If a cat cannot be adopted for any reason, it can live here for the rest of its life, because RAPS is against euthanasia! This is something I truly value. I can look the cats in the eye with honesty. That’s why I feel connected to RAPS team mission and want to contribute.
What is your favourite / least favourite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is that I’m always surrounded by whisker buddies, and I can suddenly feel the attention of one of them – either they’re asking for playtime and cuddles, or they’re doing something funny. It’s always so sweet and fills me with warmth! That’s why this job never feels like a routine for me.
The least favorite part is when I can’t give attention to all the cats who want it during my shift.
Tell us about yourself (where you grew up, family, pets, etc.)
My childhood was incredibly active – I grew up in a small Russian village, and my family had different kinds of animals, from pets like cats and dogs to farm animals like geese, cows, and pigs. From an early age, I took care of all of them. I loved herding cows in the fields, and when I was eight, I milked a cow for the first time. From that moment on, no one could take that duty away from me!
I cleaned the animal pens, mowed the grass for their feed and bedding, played with the dogs in the yard, and climbed trees with the cats. The absolute best moments were when our animals had babies – I would spend whole days in the pens, completely immersed in caring for the newborns. It was all so exciting, and I truly miss those days.
Right now, I can’t have pets at home for a few reasons, but I am so grateful that I can share my care and love with the animals at RAPS. My family – my husband and my son – are also animal lovers (it couldn’t be any other way!). We often visit local farms, the Greater Vancouver Zoo, cat cafés, and, of course, the RAPS Cat Sanctuary on public days.
My son dreams of volunteering with me when he turns 12, and he also hopes to become a pet sitter.
What do you do in your spare time?
My favorite activity is hard-level hiking. I’ve conquered a lot of challenging and dangerous peaks! I also love exploring new places by bike – so far, my longest ride has been 85 km from Swartz Bay to Victoria and back.
I enjoy kayaking and recently discovered cross-country skiing this winter. When it’s rainy, I like playing badminton or going for walks while listening to an audiobook.
I’m always looking for new adventures and ways to stay active, no matter the season.
