We were lucky to catch up with Jenn Hutchman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jenn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

During my career helping cats I have many heartwarming stories but one that always brings joy to think about is a kitty named Hunter. He came to us as a scared beat up kitty that was dumped by his owners. He obviously had no medical care, no vaccines, and was not neutered. He had wounds on his feet, ears, and body from defending himself outside. He was very scared of people. After months of medical care and TLC once he started feeling better he started to also trust me more and more. Soon he was coming to me for affection and even trying to play. Although his form of play was scratching my legs and running away, he was learning! I remember the first time he climbed into my lap, I cried. He touched my heart so deeply I even wrote this poem for him:

I got a new family when I was a kitten
They spent time with me all day
They fed me and loved me
And they really loved to play

They gave me a blue collar
And gave me a name
They said no matter what happens
They would love me the same

I was someone’s world 6 months ago
They let me sleep on their warm bed
Then something changed
And I was just too much they said.

They couldn’t find someone to take me
I still don’t understand what I did wrong
So they put me outside somewhere new
On my own, I won’t survive for long

They think someone will take me in
But some people think I’m a burden too
I have to try to survive with no skills
And all I want is to be with you.

I’m too scared to find food
So I’m losing weight and am always hungry
My fur is starting to get matted from the rain
Why didn’t you want me?

I dont trust people now
I run when they set out the cage with food at one end
I’m not mean, I promise
I just don’t know who’s my friend

I’ve broken a tooth, tore my ear
And got cuts all over my feet
Another animal bit me on my hind leg
Unlike me, some out here are not sweet.

I’m always sick and in pain
I can’t get heathy and well out here
I’m going to go into that cage
I can barely survive from fear

By the time I got to the shelter
I was barely hanging on
They weren’t sure I would make it
But they got me healthy and strong

They said I was a good boy
And they also couldn’t understand why
Why people leave cats like me
I think I made them cry

They said they would take care of me
As they patted my head
They would find me a home
One with a warm bed. ❤️

And we did find a warm bed for Hunter along with his new buddy, King, whom he met at the shelter.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the Executive/Medical Director for Furry Friends Cat Rescue. Furry Friends, founded in 1999, is a Vancouver, WA, 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill cat rescue and adoption organization.
We strive to help cats in the Vancouver-Portland Metropolitan and surrounding area receive the medical services and companionship they need. Our Mission is to rescue abused, abandoned or otherwise homeless cats and house them in a safe, healthy and socialized environment until we find new “forever homes” for them. Furry Friends is funded by both individual and corporate donations; and as a 501(c)(3), non-profit, donations are tax deductible.

We help the cats many other shelters and rescues won’t help. The ones who need extensive medical care, the abandoned, the hoarding cases, and neonates.

We are currently in the process of building a new medical building to launch a much needed TNR program here and do more of our medical services in house.

I began my journey as a foster for bottle kittens and realized I had a passion for saving as many cats as I could.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I will always say that transparency is one of the best ways to build your reputation. Be up front and honest with your donors, your followers, your volunteers, and all your supporters. This let’s them know that you are trustworthy and they never have to question why you are doing what you are doing. People are trusting us with their Furry family members and should know that they are going to get the best care possible based on our reputation with the public.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I actually began my career in Medical Assisting and Xray technology and continued to go to school for many different degrees, just never finding a soft place to land that I was passionate about. After getting my Bachelors in Social Services and not really enjoying that field either I started to foster kittens. That was the end of my search. You can’t not be happy staring into the face of a sweet kitten and having the ability to save their lives and make an impact is just the “thing” I had been searching for.

Contact Info:

• Website: Furryfriendswa.org
• Instagram: Furry friends Washington
• Facebook: Furry friends Washington