The volunteer who makes every cat feel seen
When you meet Susan Horne Steltenpohl, the first thing you notice is her calm, steady kindness, the kind of presence that makes both people and animals feel instantly at ease.
Susan has been a volunteer at the Wake County Animal Center since the summer of 2021, but her connection to animals stretches back more than 30 years.
Susan is married and has two sons in their twenties. Next year, her family will grow again as they look forward to welcoming a daughter-in-law. At home, she shares her life with Peaches, a 60-pound staffy mix, and Betty, her 15-year-old cat. Her three main interests are the Animal Center, vegetable gardening and cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes.
A North Carolina native with a degree in math, Susan spent years working as a systems analyst for Labcorp. After retiring, she poured her time into summer swim teams, part-time work, her own pet-sitting business and helping the Wake County Board of Elections during voting seasons. But five years ago, after her mother, who lived with her family, passed away and her sons moved out, Susan found herself seeking connection and a way to make a real difference. She also missed having cats around her.
“So I filled out the online volunteer application, went to orientation and slowly started meeting people and fitting in,” she said. “The time I spent on the cat floor made a real difference in the lives of the cats and the people looking to adopt them.”
It did not take long for Susan to realize what she had always known. “As much as I love dogs, I have finally accepted that deep down cats are my heart and soul. Being around them feels natural to me and I am good with them. I enjoy working with all kinds of cats, from social and friendly to feral and shy to tiny sick kittens.”
Today, Susan’s volunteer help stretches across the entire building. Some days, she works at the front desk answering calls from the public, helping people understand what to do if they have found an animal and assisting with adoptions. Other days, she serves as a lobby greeter, helping visitors get where they need to go and keeping the lobby flowing smoothly.
And on the days she is on the cat floor, Susan is everywhere at once, greeting visitors, helping them meet cats, checking on kittens, tidying rooms, taking photos, updating signage, filling out personality cards and supporting staff and fellow volunteers. “Every cat needs something different,” she said. “Our job is to figure out what they need in that moment to feel safe and healthy.”
Her background in computer programming helps more than you would expect. “I am detail oriented and used to finding the root cause of problems,” she said. “And my past jobs have helped me feel comfortable talking to anyone. Most people just want someone to help them. Listening and empathy go a long way.”
More than anything, Susan believes deeply in the role volunteers play at the center. “The staff care so much,” she said. “The volunteers help give animals enrichment, advocate for them and help them feel special.”
For anyone considering volunteering, she has simple advice. “There are so many ways to help. You can make it what you want. Yes, it can be challenging and emotional, but it is also such a joy. You will meet people you have a lot in common with. You can work with others or go at your own pace or a little of both.”
For Susan, volunteering is not just something she does. It is a way of living, one moment of kindness, one cat, one conversation at a time.
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