Volunteer Spotlight: Jean Eckrich

Jean Eckrich has been passionate about helping cats and kittens in need for more than four decades.

She ran her own feline rescue for nearly 30 years and started lending a hand at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Macklind Avenue location shortly after retiring. She’s been helping cats and kittens get ready for adoption through the feline enrichment program for 9 years.

Each Monday, she arrives at the shelter in the morning and helps socialize the cats and kittens until around noon, depending on how many are available. She notes that summers are “full of kittens” and winter months are often older strays and owner surrenders.

“I find the response from frightened, lonely cats, after spending quality time with them, the most rewarding experiences,” she says.

Jean also has a soft spot for senior cats and is always so excited when they get adopted.

“Volunteering with HSMO is a constant rewarding opportunity to feel the love and appreciation of not only the cats, dogs, etc., but working with the people with the same loving ethics that reward us all,” she says.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at both of our locations, click here.