June 28, 2011

Many cats and dogs in the area are in need of loving homes. Until there is an actual adoption, the tiny defenseless creatures rely solely on the staff and volunteers at the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA.

Ryan Carra is a volunteer at the SPCA responsible for spending time with the cats at the shelter and giving them lots of tender, loving care.

"What I really love is hanging out with the animals, especially the shy ones, and drawing them out of their shells," said Carra.

He helps to socialize the felines, to make them more adoptable.

"What I try to do, is try to give them a positive experience here so that when the public comes in the make a connection and they get adopted," explained Carra.

Carra says he is doing whatever it takes to get the pets adopted, from getting them comfortable being out of their cages, to fostering a kitten until it is old enough to be adopted.

"In a lot of ways it's more rewarding to come in here than to have my own animal. I get to meet a lot more people and I get to work with maybe 25 cats every time I come here," said Carra. "It was really hard the first time my very favorite cat got adopted, but as I've been working here for longer and longer they get used to the turn over."

Carra says it is a mixed blessing when somebody shows interest in one of the animals. As much as he loves spending his free time with his four-legged friends at the CASPCA, Carra says he would rather see them carried out on their way to a loving home.