A Volunteer Falls in Love on the Job

Sep 20, 2021

Q&A with Brianna Allen 

Brianna Allen is a long-time PAWS advocate and volunteer. She met a cat named Rudy Rudy while working at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center (LPAC) and felt an immediate spark of chemistry. After working with Rudy Rudy every week through our Cat Pawsitive Pro clicker training program, Brianna became completely smitten and decided to take him home for good.

When and how did you start volunteering with PAWS? 

I began volunteering at the PAWS Medical Center in April 2019. I had been a TEAM PAWS Chicago runner prior to that and knew I wanted to do more by volunteering. I started at the Medical Center as a L1 cat care volunteer and worked my way up to an L2 at LPAC. I love the Medical Center and still volunteer there weekly. 

How did you meet Rudy Rudy? 

I met Rudy Rudy when he arrived at the Medical Center in June 2019. I knew he was a special guy and figured he'd be adopted quickly. Unfortunately (and fortunately) it didn't work out that way. I really got to know Rudy Rudy during the Cat PAWSitive Pro clicker training program. Each week I had the opportunity to work with him and better understand his personality. We built a good relationship and understanding of each other.

What were your first few weeks with Rudy Rudy like? 

The first night was a rough one! Rudy Rudy stayed in the extra bedroom because we have resident cats (Cleo and Figaro). We learned quickly that he didn't like being alone because he cried all night. But it was a pleasant surprise to see that he and our cats got along really well, wrestling, chasing, and playing at all hours of the day and night. Rudy Rudy also loves to sleep in the bed with us