Summer Version: Volunteer of the Month: Emma Turgut

We’re thrilled to introduce Emma Turgut as our Volunteer of the Month for the summer!

Emma is a valued member of our Socialization Team and was nominated by former team lead Mairi Buhler, who shared:

“Emma is an incredibly dedicated and reliable socializer. She has an outstanding skill set and often is the first to provide very accurate insight into a cat’s behavior and then formulates a recommended action plan for how the rest of the team should interact with the cat. She has excellent interpersonal skills and regularly engages in dialogue with the socialization team at large. In addition, she goes above and beyond with taking initiative to update the socialization team on new cats that have arrived at Ops and which have gone off to foster care. Last but not least, she regularly offers to cover shifts when other socializers cannot make it in and will often do additional shifts outside of her scheduled shift.”

Emma’s Story:

How did you start volunteering with VOKRA?
I stopped leaving my house and socializing for the most part. I live in an apartment that does not allow pets and I missed being around cats. My counselor told me about VOKRA—I had always wanted to volunteer at a cat shelter so it was the perfect opportunity for me. It got me out of the house, doing what I love doing: caring for animals.

How long and in what capacity have you been volunteering?
I’ve been volunteering with VOKRA since 2023. I began doing cat care and later that year transitioned to the socialization team. I also helped out at Walk for the Kitties in 2023 and worked the VOKRA booth at CatCon that same year.

What is your favourite part of volunteering?
Connecting with the cats—especially the ferals and behaviour cats—as we build trust and I get to watch their personalities slowly blossom. It’s truly amazing how a cat can go from fearful and withdrawn to confidently soaking up affection. I also enjoy supporting staff with other tasks when I can and love giving them updates on the cats’ progress. It warms my heart to hear how well they do in foster homes.

Do you have a favourite kitty or story from your time with VOKRA?
I could never pick just one favourite—but there’s one cat I have hundreds of photos of on my phone: Vegan. Vegan (pictured) is such a special girl. She was with us long-term, and I had the privilege of working with her for many months. She has such a big personality—so playful, so loving—and she would get so excited when I came to visit her. When she went to foster I was overjoyed and missed her terribly. Recently, she was adopted by her foster and I could not be more proud of her. She’s a cat I will never forget.

Honourable mentions: Kit, Yogi-Bear, Starlight, Pam, Jim, Singer, Smee, Genji, Nero, and Louis.

“I am so grateful to be volunteering with such a wonderful organization operated by wonderful staff! Thank you for the recognition—sending pawsitive vibes to everyone.”

Thank you, Emma!
Your kindness, dedication, and genuine love for each and every cat you meet is inspiring. You’ve made a meaningful impact—not only on the cats’ lives but also on your fellow volunteers and staff. We’re so lucky to have you as part of the VOKRA family. Thank you for everything you do!

Inspired by Emma’s story?
Join our amazing team of volunteers and make a difference in the lives of cats and kittens in need. Whether you're a cat whisperer, a logistics wizard, or just want to lend a paw—we’d love to have you! Apply to Volunteer