What a purrfect pair!

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we are featuring stories of employees making a difference in the communities where they live and work, and beyond.

They’re the cat’s meow!

Brokerlink employees Lisa Cooper and Janet Moerman have both been volunteering at Purrfect Companions of Norfolk in Delhi, Ontario for a year and a half.

Purrfect Companions of Norfolk are a group of local animal lovers who want to help the many stray cats and kittens that live in their area.

“We are dedicated to finding loving homes for these wonderful souls that deserve the chance at finding their forever homes and families,” says Lisa Cooper, a Branch Manager at Brokerlink who adopted her own cat, Lizzy, through the program.

In addition to cleaning, feeding and petting the strays, Purrfect Companions also ensures the cats are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, tested for diseases, dewormed and flea-treated.

Because there are more cats in the population than can possibly be adopted, Purrfect Companions also has a Trap-Neuter-Return program where free-roaming cats are humanely trapped and sterilized to curb breeding.

Anyone with a pet at home knows that veterinary bills can be sky-high. Purrfect Companions relies solely on donations and local fundraising efforts, as well as the time and energy of their volunteers.

“It is scientifically proven that spending time with animals helps lower your stress levels and blood pressure,” says Janet Moerman, an Account Manager at Brokerlink. “It will also keep you active. You get to create a unique bond with the animals, which helps your emotional health. Caring for pets can help you deal with depression, anxiety, and stress. Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which helps you be calm and relaxed.”

Janet’s a true animal lover with quite the impressive menagerie at home. She has four cats, four dogs, two goats, one mini horse, one pot belly pig and two ducks.

No partridge in a pear tree, though.