Volunteer Spotlight: Lacey Petry

Lacey, with two foster kittens, Sour Cream and Beans.

Lacey Petry has been fostering with P.A.W.S. for the past two months, but her love for animals—and especially cats—has been a lifelong passion. After taking in countless stray cats and kittens on her own over the years (about 35 in just the past year!), Lacey decided it would be more impactful to partner with P.A.W.S., a rescue known in the community for its dedication to helping strays. With four cats and a horse of her own, plus experience volunteering at a cat rescue during high school, caring for animals is truly second nature to her.

Chili is a Hemingway Polydactyl, which means she has 6 toes.

As a foster, Lacey currently cares for a momma kitty and her five babies, spending her days feeding them, giving medications, and making sure they’re safe, healthy, and loved. What she’s most passionate about is helping cats found on the streets—those who need warmth, safety, and a second chance. One of her most memorable rescues is Chili, a pregnant cat who wandered out of a field during a walk in Lacey’s new neighborhood and later gave birth to her five kittens in Lacey’s home. Moments like these remind her why she does what she does, even when it’s hard.

Some of Lacey's past foster kitties.

Lacey admits that one of the biggest challenges of rescue work is finding sick cats and not always being able to take them in. Still, she continues to give everything she can. One rescue story that has stuck with her involved a barn cat with a badly broken femur. While working at a vet clinic, Lacey took the cat in, paid for his surgery, and later adopted him after his leg had to be amputated. Today, he’s a happy, thriving house cat—proof of what compassion and determination can do.

Volunteering has only strengthened Lacey’s lifelong commitment to animals. She believes there isn’t much that a little TLC can’t fix, even though she’s learned the difficult truth that you can’t save them all—but that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying. On tough days, she stays motivated by looking back at past rescues and the loving families those cats now call home. Her advice to anyone considering volunteering? It’s a labor of love, and even a small amount of time and care can truly save a life.

Looking ahead, Lacey hopes to continue being a lifeline for cats in need and help even more of them find forever homes. She also dreams of seeing fewer sick feral strays in the community and watching P.A.W.S. grow to help even more people and animals. Her final message is simple but powerful: even if you can’t volunteer, donating food, litter, or a small amount of money can go a long way in saving animals who just need a helping hand.

Thank you, Lacey, for your heart, your dedication, and the incredible difference you make—one kitty at a time. 🐾💜

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If you are interested in becoming a foster and would like to learn more or apply, feel free to check out our website here. We always need cat, dog, rabbit and guinea pig fosters, and we would love to have you join the P.A.W.S. family.