By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team
Oregon Humane Society cattery for 23 years. Photo by Tamara Anne Fowler
What do you do if you have spare time and love animals? You volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). Concordian Diane Hogan has been volunteering at the OHS cattery for the past 23 years.
Her love of animals started when she was four with a dog, a cat and a chicken. It was also when Diane was four that her father got her mother a Siamese cat. It was the late 1940s and Siamese cats were extremely rare. He was a pure bred named Woo Yang of Jericho.
Currently, Diane’s cats – whom she adopted from OHS – have less outrageous names.
Both Isaac and Aurora are participants in OHS’ Friends Forever Program. “In return for a bequest from the pet parent’s estate, OHS will receive, provide all necessary care and find appropriate homes for the pets,” Gary Kish, explained development vice president of development.
Diane sees many good things in OHS. “People around here so good at spay and neuter with the monthly Spay & Save program.” Once a month, pets from low income families come to OHS for their spay or neuter procedure.
When she first started volunteering, Diane felt sad for animals, but then realized if they made it here they would find good homes.
Diane appreciates the people at the cattery – the staff, the customers. “It is psychologically healthy,” she pointed out.
The hardest aspect is a very rare occurrence. Sometimes a kitty is in so much pain and the quality of life is so poor that euthanasia is necessary. Staff members are advised so they can say good bye. This is taken very seriously.
Thirty-five years ago, Diane and her husband Joseph were living in southwest Portland. They decided their home needed some remodeling. When they got the quote, Joseph said, “You can buy a whole house for that amount of money.” So they did and they moved to Concordia.
Diane admitted that the neighborhood has changed. She especially likes the local restaurants, and her favorites are Helser’s, DarSalam and Thai Noon.
She loves all the color and the murals that continue to pop up in her neighborhood. “There are so many people out walking the street and shopping.”
Editor’s note: There isn’t space in CNews for Tamara’s full report on Diane Hogan and her volunteer work at OHS. For the rest of the story, visit ConcordiaPDX.org/dianehogan.
Tamara Anne Fowler is a copy/content editor, fiction editor and accountability coach. Visit her at EditKitten.com, email her at Tamara@ editkitten.com or call 310.359.6038. She would love to hear from you.