Volunteer Spotlight: Tara Mauldin

For Tara Mauldin, cats have always been more than pets—they've been family.

Growing up surrounded by cats, dogs, and even hamsters, Tara developed a lifelong love for animals. But it was the loss of her beloved cat Harry in October 2024 that ultimately led her to P.A.W.S. Harry was 14 years old and, as Tara describes him, "truly one of my best friends." His passing left a tremendous void in her life.

Then came Marla.

After discovering Marla on the P.A.W.S. website and adopting her, Tara found joy and

Natasha (AKA Marla)

companionship again. Today, Marla—now known as Natasha—is one of three cats who share Tara's home alongside Oliver and Sasha. When Tara later moved to Greenfield, she knew she wanted to give back to the organization that had brought her and Natasha together.

"I wanted to give back to the organization that helped bring us together," she says. "Volunteering at P.A.W.S. allows me to show cats the love and attention they deserve while helping make their time at the shelter a little more comfortable with blankets, toys, and companionship."

Since joining P.A.W.S. in March 2026, Tara has become a familiar face around the rescue. Whether she's helping in the cattery, assisting with Purse Bingo, or supporting adoption events, her focus is always the same: making life a little better for the animals in our care.

A typical shift for Tara includes plenty of cleaning, organizing, and caring for the cats—but her favorite moments are much simpler.

"I love meeting the new personalities," she says. "It's hard not to want to take all of them home, but it's also so satisfying when they get a new family."

Of course, spending time with dozens of cats means plenty of memorable stories. One of Tara's favorites involves a tiny kitten who dramatically overestimated his size.

"One day Charm had enough of kitten time and she smacked at this cute little guy," Tara recalls. "He started walking off looking sad, then suddenly popped right back up and started charging at her like he was going to do something about it. I whisked him up and said, 'Not today, tough guy. She's about ten pounds heavier than you!' He was so adorable and just thought he was a big boy."

Not every cat is quite so easygoing. Tara admits that some of the rescue's sassier residents can present a challenge.

"Sometimes there will be ones that are just super sassy, and working with those personalities while making sure I don't lose an eye can for sure be a challenge," she laughs.

Beyond the fun stories and occasional feline attitude, volunteering has brought something

deeper to Tara's life. With her daughter now away at college, P.A.W.S. has helped fill an important void.

"I feel like I have a purpose," she says. "It has helped fill a void, and I also get my cat fix since I can't have an unlimited amount in my home."

One of the things Tara enjoys most is watching shy or insecure cats grow more comfortable and confident.

"Every day is a learning experience," she says. "I think they are always teaching us and we teach them. I enjoy seeing the ones that come in insecure feel comfortable quickly. It warms my heart."

Looking ahead, Tara hopes to help spread awareness about the P.A.W.S. cattery and encourage more people to visit.

"I wish more people knew about the cattery and came to see the cats," she says. "I think many people believe they're only at PetSmart."

She also hopes to continue promoting the importance of spay and neuter programs and helping people understand that animals are lifelong family members—not temporary entertainment.

When she's not volunteering, Tara enjoys reading, caring for her plants, traveling, and trying new restaurants. But it's clear that some of her happiest moments are spent surrounded by cats, helping them find the loving homes they deserve.

We're incredibly grateful for Tara's compassion, dedication, and willingness to share her time with P.A.W.S. Thank you, Tara, for making a difference in the lives of so many cats—and the people who love them.

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