About Eva’s Kitties
Our Philosophy and Approach
- We are a no-kill, rescue organization and our cats are free to roam within the safety of their foster homes.
- We employ a thoughtful process in seeking adopters who will provide forever homes where our cats can enjoy being loved while bringing joy to those in their new home.
- We work hard to make sure that our cats are able to enjoy a quality life that is free from pain and fear. We believe that it is our human responsibility to make sure that they are well loved!
- More than 95% of the money we raise goes into food, pet supplies, and medical care for the cats.
Our Leaderhsip
Cathy Livingston, PhD
Cathy has always had a special place in her heart and soul for all animals, but hands down, cats know that they are her spirit animal. She has adopted abandoned cats and provided them with a loving, caring home since graduating from college.
When her 17-year old cat, Nutmeg, passed away in 2014, her veterinarian recommended that she visit a local rescue organization. There she met a group of very dedicated volunteers, and she was deeply moved by all of the “loving care” extended by those caring for the cats. She came home with two lovely, adorable cats who have since trained her well. Before long she was deeply involved in helping the organization develop a Strategic Plan, writing a Case Statement to raise money, and running workshops for the Board.
When it became clear that the Board of the original organization from which she adopted her two current cats made a decision to cease paying for food and medical treatments for close to sixty cats in their care, she and other volunteers decided the best way to provide for those displaced cats was to “rescue” them again and form a new organization known now as Eva’s Kitties. Dr. Livingston was asked to serve as President, and has taken the lead role in getting the organization Incorporated and recognized as a Tax-Exempt organization by the IRS.
Cathy has many years of senior leadership roles in K-12 and Higher Education institutions and has run a non-profit focusing on supporting urban youth. She has served as President of local, regional, and State Boards. All of these experiences have proven beneficial in helping bring vision and leadership to this promising organization. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana before relocating to the Boston area.
Marthann Volante
Anyone who has spent extended time with Marthann would readily acknowledge that a big heart is one of her many wonderful qualities. She is known for her willingness to respond quickly and willingly to help whenever she is called upon to assist. Our furry friends – particularly dogs and cats – also benefit from her loving care. Beginning in her childhood and continuing to the present, animals have always played a role in her life.
For fifteen years, she volunteered her time leading a training course for the Concord Dog Training Club. She worked with young children to help them understand how to care for and live with dogs in their households. And for the last ten years, she has provided foster care for abandoned, lost, and injured cats. In addition to caring for the cats in her home, she is our number one bargain shopper, keeping our foster care sites stocked up on the supplies they need to care for the animals in their care. Her equanimous nature is a great asset whether she is working with her four-legged friends or our volunteers committed to connecting animals with loving, permanent homes.
Before she retired, Marthann spent her career in the florist industry, which provided her with daily opportunities to use her creative skills in designing beautiful floral arrangements. In addition to artistic talents, she takes great pride in applying all of the carpentry and handywoman skills that she learned working alongside her father growing up. Watching her tackle a home improvement project – whether it involves painting, wallpapering, or carpentry work – it’s easy to recognize that she is in her element. She is our go-to person when we need help in solving a host of practical problems.
Her colleagues also turn to her when a grounded, neutral, and unbiased assessment is important in helping working through difficult decisions and finding appropriate compromises.
Sandy Sener
Sandy looked for a volunteer activity that would allow her to be more involved with her community and found a cat rescue & shelter organization. Cats are definitely members of the community! Ever since childhood, the family pet was usually her most preferred family member. And since then, she finds relationships with animals to be as enjoyable and valuable as those with her human friends.
Sandy brings a variety of valuable skills to Eva’s Kitties’ Board of Directors. In her career, she has used her creative skills to design clothing for both private customers, while simultaneously serving in critical roles in the garment industry. Sandy – while very modest about her accomplishments and talents – haw owned and operated a small business, and worked on staff at a university.
Currently in her work with Eva’s Kitties, she is drawing on her multiple skills to provide assistance to tackle varied tasks that need attention. Her proficiency in written communication and her ability to organize and simplify complex information is frequently in demand. Currently she is learning the duties of the Treasurer with plans to move into that role within this year; her assuming of this role will free up the current Treasurer to assume the role of Coordinator of Fundraising Activities. Mary serves on the Board of another charitable non-profit, more evidence of the demand for her talents.
Over the years, at least two cats have been members of her household at any given time. Currently she was reflecting on her daily communications with her beloved Maine Coon and was startled to realize that never in their nine years together has the cat ever said one word!
What’s Behind Our Name
- Eva’s Kitties was founded in 2018 when the Board of another cat rescue organization notified two of the their largest foster-care providers that they had decided to cease paying for food and medical treatments for approximately 60 cats that they had previously rescued.
- Volunteers who had been caring for these cats decided that the best way to provide for these “soon-to-be” displaced cats was to “rescue” them again and form a new organization.
- We chose to name the new organization “Eva’s Kitties” in honor of a long-serving volunteer, who has devoted many years to caring for these cats, including opening her home as a foster care site.
