Cara Oprea
“Between my job as an MRI/CT Technologist and my passion for horses, I really wanted to use these skills to make a difference."
PAWS Chicago volunteer Cara Oprea has been a big animal lover her whole life and has always had a passion for animal welfare. For her, this passion developed through her love for horses and, currently, she works full-time in the (human) medical field as an MRI/CT Technologist.
“Between my job as an MRI/CT Technologist and my passion for horses, I really wanted to use these skills to make a difference, which is why I volunteer at the Medical Center,” says Cara.
Cara has been a volunteer at PAWS for almost two years now.
“I had no idea it would turn into such a passion for me. I volunteer in the Medical Center Cat Care program, Remote Bio and Alumni Teams and am just starting with the TLC program too which I am very excited for,” says Cara.
As a part of our Cat Care program, Cara visits the kitties who might not get as many visitors or attention while they heal up.
“Having a cat who isn't all that interested in their food until you visit them is very rewarding. After a few scratches you get to see their personality come out and then they gain the confidence to eat, something like that tells me I am making a difference in their lives and in their journey towards healing,” says Cara.
Cara also helps with writing personality biographies for adoptable pets and following up with new owners post-adoption.
“There are so many ways to volunteer and more programs than you may even know about. That's how I eventually found out about their remote volunteering opportunities. It can be as big or as little of a commitment as you want,” says Cara.
Finally, as part of our TLC team, Cara has taken additional training to work with pets in isolation, giving them the love and enrichment they need to thrive while they recover from sickness or injury.
“I love how PAWS take the time to treat each animal as an individual for their individual medical needs. To ensure that, no matter what, they get the care they need to live a long and happy life when they find their family,” says Cara.
Interested in becoming a PAWS volunteer like Cara?
“I would say, just go and sign up for your first shift and see where it takes you,” says Cara.