Volunteer Spotlight: Kelsey Riddle

If you’ve ever adopted a cat or kitten from P.A.W.S. Hancock, chances are Kelsey Riddle had a hand in their care. As our dedicated co-cat lead and seasoned foster, Kelsey has been an essential part of the P.A.W.S. team for the past two years, bringing both passion and skill to her volunteer work.

Kelsey’s love for animals is lifelong. She currently shares her home with a five-year-old chocolate lab named Freya, a two-year-old tabby cat named Everest, and Rainier, a white cat she adopted through P.A.W.S. Hancock—proof that sometimes, the best fosters become forever homes.

In her role, Kelsey is deeply involved with nearly every aspect of feline care. From cat intake and vaccinations to coordinating foster placements and assisting with adoptions, she helps keep the rescue running smoothly behind the scenes. On a typical day, you’ll find her checking in on kittens’ health, trimming tiny claws, administering vaccines, and chatting with both new fosters and potential adopters. She’s also fostered over 40 cats and kittens—an incredible contribution in just two years.

Kelsey is especially passionate about Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), a cause close to her heart. “I grew up on a farm where we had a lot of feral cats show up or get dumped,” she explains. “Seeing how many litters come from just a couple of cats, I’ve been a huge fan of TNR ever since.” Her vision is to help expand TNR efforts across Hancock County and bring lasting impact to the local animal population.

Of course, not every moment in rescue work is easy. Kelsey says one of the hardest parts is caring for kittens who don’t survive. “I’ve only lost one kitten, but it’s always tough when they don’t thrive. Kitten season is hard.” Even so, the joyful moments far outweigh the sad ones—like when a foster mom cat named Fae instantly accepted a lone survivor kitten named Banshee into her litter. “Banshee grew up as the princess of the litter and was adopted almost as soon as she was listed,” Kelsey recalls.

Kelsey’s medical background has helped her learn how to treat very sick kittens, and she brings a calm, capable presence to every situation. “Being calm is essential,” she says. “Animals, especially cats, pick up on nervous energy.”

When asked what advice she’d give someone thinking about volunteering with animals, her answer is simple: “Just try it. Animals are so forgiving, and they love unconditionally. They make your heart happy.”

As for the future, Kelsey hopes to involve more young people in animal rescue, encouraging students and young adults to get involved. “I think getting kids involved with animals helps them learn valuable lessons and how to be responsible for themselves and others.”

Through her tireless work, Kelsey has touched the lives of countless animals—and the people who love them. We're so grateful for her compassion, dedication, and vision for the future of animal welfare in our community.