Summer 2024

74 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 Photo: Kelli Uldall S usan Joens has been giving her time to SPCA Monterey County for more than a dozen years. “I started after retiring from my teaching career,” she says. She has now committed to being there four days each week. Some call Joens the “cat whisperer.” She has devoted herself to the felines that find themselves at the SPCA.“At first, I noticed that my fellow volunteers were concentrating on the dogs, and no one to the cats. I grew up with cats and have always lived with them. I love all animals, but to me, cats are therapeutic.They can be warm and cuddly and will sit on your lap when they want to. If they don’t, they don’t.” She currently has two at home, Inky and Marigold—both adopted from the SPCA, of course. With her innate understanding of these complex animals, she is profi- cient at matching people with cats. She gets to know them well, the better to create a perfect cat/human symbiosis.“It’s not about looks, but person- alities. Some are lovable, some don’t like children, some are aloof, some friendly.” The key is matching those traits with the prospective adopter’s needs and lifestyle. Joens finds great satisfaction at the SPCA. “Everyone is so nice. I truly enjoy it here.” — Michael Chatfield VOLUNTE ER PROF I L E Susan Joens