Pat Gilling

Working in the world of animal rescue began, for me, in college. My roommate and I would volunteer at the local animal shelter (in the south this is called The Pound). Although they do the absolute best they can with severely limited resources, we found by recruiting more volunteers we could give attention, care and exercise for short periods of time to the dogs and cats in our care.

That led to bringing home my first foster, a dog named Sandy. Then and there the turnstile of animals coming and going from my home never ended. From 1972 forward there have been more cats and dogs than I can count. Between pregnant cats and their babies, newborn orphans, cattens (teenagers), healthy adults, quarantine families, and medicals. There have easily been over a thousand that have come and gone during this time.

I’ve worked for and with multiple animal shelters from Georgia to Virginia to Kansas & Missouri. I’ve met some fantastic volunteers and a couple of awesome veterinarians along the way.

My passion is working with those who can’t take care of themselves. The ones I sit up rocking all night willing them to live and grow strong.

When Meowy Matchmakers Cat Rescue was born and I joined the board, I also took on the role of Foster Manager. My goal is to educate and support all our foster parents. To give them the knowledge they need to care for these tiny and large souls that we have taken into our care. I also back up our supply manager when she is unavailable. I love the fact that we have formed a medical team of educated, experienced volunteers (of which I am one) who work with and under the guidance of our rescue vet.

My husband, Casey, swears it’s all my gig, but when I don’t feel well I can hear him and I know he is down in the foster room, feeding them, checking on how they are doing, and giving a little extra love.