Meet Jessica Glanzer. She's lived in Kamloops her whole life, 23 years!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Can I pick two? My boyfriend and my sister. Dayton and Sophia always bring out the best in me and are my biggest cheerleaders. They help me endlessly and always make me laugh. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without them!
What do you always find yourself saying?
'Medicine time!'
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Ellen DeGeneres! She radiates love and kindness, and she has a passion for helping animals.
Who or what inspires you?
Anyone who dedicates their time to rescue a pet. It takes a village!
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Traveling to Bali. I have to visit the Ubud Monkey Forest.
2. I would love to open a Cat Café here!
3. Be in the audience on Ellen!
Please tell us about a defining moment in your life.
One of my own pets was extremely sick right after one of my foster kittens passed away. Thankfully he recovered, but it made me realize that what I'm doing is a necessity and I will go above and beyond for these little guys.
What are you passionate about?
Animal welfare! Specifically cats, and even more specifically feral cats and orphaned kittens. The feral and orphaned cats are the most at risk groups and I have dedicated myself to socializing, trap-neuter-release (TNR), bottle feeding, and anything else necessary to make sure they have the best lives they can.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Any time that I can curl up with a good book, a few kittens and a cosy blanket is my favourite day.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Successfully fostering almost 50 kittens and cats in a year and a half. Many of them start out feral or very sick, and having them all go to great homes. It takes a lot of work and dedication to not only bring them into our home but also to say goodbye when they are ready to fly!
Where is your favourite place to dine in your city?
I recently discovered Mittz Kitchen!
What is your favourite activity or event in your city?
I love the farmers market or any craft fair I can find!
What is the name of your business/organization?
I am a foster parent for the Kamloops Humane Society.
What does your business/organization do?
The Kamloops Humane Society is an all-volunteer organization that has been rescuing companion animals and assisting pet owners in our community since 1993!
Where can people find you online?
On their website!
Where can people find your business on social media? (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
1. The quality of care that our animals receive is above and beyond, we are grateful to work with the amazing veterinarians in our community.
2. 98 cents of every dollar raised is spent on veterinary services or pet food and supplies!
3. We work to ensure that each animal is matched to their perfect family and have an amazing success rate of that animal finding their forever home.
What makes you feel successful? Tell us about it.
Having a feral kitten fall asleep while purring in your lap, or when a sick kitten starts running, playing and eating. The moment a bottle baby latches to the bottle for the first time. The lack of sleep, scratches and litter boxes are a small sacrifice when the results are healthy and happy kittens; who without help would not have that success. I've done it 50 times and I will do it another 50, but every time a kittens life is saved in my home, I am successful.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Marketing! I would love to talk to them about expanding a brand, using social media as a tool, and the best ways to do so.
If I could change one thing about the city you live in, it would be:
I would love to see a Spay and Neuter Bylaw!
What do you think makes your city great?
The local businesses! I love developing relationships with them and really believe that it's the best way to grow together. So many of them support local events and non-profit organizations which is amazing to see.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
My dad, Kelly Glanzer. You won't be disappointed!
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I started fostering after I adopted my second cat who was feral at seven months old. Within three months I had socialized him, but the vet found a heart murmur. We saw a cardiologist and started medication. After dealing with a cat who was both feral and sick, and overcoming both parts, I decided I needed to keep helping more like him. I am extremely lucky and so grateful to have my other half who goes above and beyond to support me and for the past six months has scooped all of the litter boxes! I wouldn't be able to foster and help like I do without him, so I would like to thank Dayton. I also need to thank my landlord, for allowing me to foster in my home! As much as I love having a house full of kittens, please spay and neuter your pets! Thank you, Kamloops for supporting the Kamloops Humane Society!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great!
