Animal protection

From Cats to a Cause: My Journey in Animal Protection

Before I fell in love with plants, my heart already belonged to animals—especially cats. At the age of five, I confidently told my mom that I needed a cat, and from that moment, my life became deeply intertwined with our feline friends. Four cats have been my long-term companions, but I’ve crossed paths with over a hundred more, temporarily fostering them until they found their forever homes. And it’s not just cats! I’ve shared my home with dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, parakeets, fish, rats, mice, and even hedgehogs.

In 2009, fresh off passing all my university exams on the first try (humble brag), I was wondering how to make my summer break meaningful. I asked my vet if I could help at his clinic, and he suggested something better—join him at the animal shelter where he worked. And that’s where my journey into animal protection truly began.

Back then, I thought I had cats all figured out—after all, I lived with two of them. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Turns out, every cat is different, especially in a shelter. I also got a crash course in the harsh reality of abandoned animals—how many are left behind each year and, sadly, how many never find a new home. That was the moment I knew I had to step up and do more.

I grew particularly attached to cats with a traumatic past, those who had lost their trust in humans. Hissing and scratching didn’t scare me—I’d sit with them for hours, showing them that humans can be kind too. Watching their trust slowly return, and then seeing them leave with their new families, became the best reward I could ask for.

Over time, I discovered other animal protection groups, run entirely by volunteers, doing amazing work to rescue animals in need. I joined them as a foster mom, taking in over a hundred cats, always having a soft spot for the ones with the roughest backstories. I also took on other roles—organizing food drives, building their websites, and handling admin tasks.

These years taught me so much, and in 2019, I co-founded my own animal protection organization, HumAnima, with five fellow animal lovers who shared my passion and values. Since then, we’ve rescued over a thousand animals, and I’m hoping that number keeps growing. If you, too, want to make a difference in animal protection, we’re always looking for new volunteers—no matter your skills!

My Cats

Ksiusha (1991)

Ksiusha was my very first cat. She patiently endured all of my childhood declarations of love. I loved her so much that she usually preferred to hide out with my mom for some quiet time. She had an accident in her first year of life, which left her unable to use her back legs. The vet suggested euthanasia... but I wasn’t ready to let go. A few months later, she was walking again and ended up spending 15 more wonderful years with us.

Anton (2002)

When I arrived in Belgium, it was the first time I found myself without a cat. But that unbearable situation only lasted a few weeks. One day, while walking through the center of Brussels, I spotted a skinny young cat wandering into every shop. When one of the shopkeepers came out asking whose cat it was, I immediately claimed, "Mine!" And that’s how Anton came home with me. He smelled so bad and was so skinny that for the first few days, he was even willing to eat potatoes! But it didn’t take long for him to remember he was a cat and start being picky about the type of fish in his food. Once again, I loved him so much that he eventually preferred my mom’s company, spending many good years with her.

Flint (2009)

Flint didn’t wait for me to choose him—he took matters into his own paws. I met him during my first months at the animal shelter, where he was so scruffy and unwell, I couldn’t help but promise, “Don’t worry, I’ll find you a home too!” For months, I tried my best. But Flint? He wasn’t interested in any of my matchmaking. He’d already picked his family: me. He recognized my footsteps from a mile away, waited at the cattery door like he’d reserved me for himself, and bombarded me with so much affection I couldn’t say no. After months of pretending I wasn’t totally in love (because I promised my mom no more cats), I finally had to admit defeat and break the news: this promise wasn’t going to last. The day I brought Flint home, he purred on my head all night long. I didn’t sleep much, thinking it was just excitement and that it would pass. Fourteen years later, it still hadn’t passed, and having my head squished by a purring cat became my new normal. The day I had to say goodbye to him was one of the hardest of my life.

Bornéo (2024)

After Flint passed, I couldn’t stand the cat-less silence at home. So, in 2023, I adopted another feline—or at least that’s what his passport says. Enter Bornéo, a cat who looks just like Flint but acts more like... I don’t know, a confused squirrel? His greatest skill? Coming up with new ways to almost get himself killed. He positions himself right where you’re most likely to trip over him: on the stairs, behind my feet, camouflaged on dark rugs—you name it. Birds and mice? Nah, not his thing. But bats on the window ledge? That’s where his talents shine. And as for sleeping like a normal cat? Please! He contorts into positions that leave us wondering if he’s actually part octopus. Oh, and when he tries to meow, the sounds are... let’s just say unique. What’s next? Who knows! But Bornéo definitely proves that evolution has a sense of humor.