Volunteering
Our volunteers are the backbone of GNHCP
The Greater New Haven Cat Project relies heavily on volunteer involvement. Volunteers provide many services to the organization: "direct care" of foster cats awaiting adoption into permanent homes; grant writing and organizing events to fund our programs for tame and feral cats; raising awareness about GNHCP's mission through our websites, social media, and community outreach; hosting cat food drives and workshops to educate people on the proper care, sheltering and feeding of outdoor cats; and engaging in rescues and trap/neuter/return.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.
Meet Our President and Director
Cheryl DeFilippo
"In 1999 I met GNHCP volunteers at an event on the New Haven Green and signed up to be a foster home. After 3 days of fostering, I quickly became a foster failure and adopted my first GNHCP cat, Olive. I wanted to become more involved and became the organization's Volunteer Coordinator. I became interested in trap/neuter/return and am pictured here with Wesley Davenport, one of my first rescues. I then changed roles to be GNHCP's Secretary and was elected its President in 2001 when the organization opened the GNHCP Center in New Haven. After all this time, Wes continues to be my inspiration to help as many cats (and people) as possible. "
"On days when I'm feeling overwhelmed with the challenges GNHCP faces, I look at this picture and it reminds me of how important Wes was to me and provides the "boost" I need to carry on."
Picture: Cheryl & Wesley Davenport
Meet The Board
Executive Committee
Diane Frost, Vice-President
“I have volunteered with GNHCP for 25 years! I was at a meeting in New Haven in 1996 to ‘help animals’. This is the day The Greater New Haven Cat Project started. I work on Saturday shifts at the center, foster adult cats and kittens at home, and am on the fundraising committee, amongst other tasks.”
“I became involved with GNHCP because I was impressed with their quick response to my feral situation. The volunteers were so helpful, efficient, kind and caring. When more time became available for me, I wanted to give back. That was nine years ago and today I am more involved than ever. I spend one morning a week with the cats. I love when they learn to trust us and even more when they find the perfect family to go home to.”
Susan Jordan, Secretary
Linda Klise, Development
"I started volunteering in 2012 after visiting the GNHCP Center and coming home with our cat, Jackie. The best part of being involved in Development is when a grant is awarded, and I know that we will be helping so many cats and kittens."
“I’m a CPA out of Branford, and have been assisting the GNHCP with their accounting for about a year now. Despite my cat allergy, I still love cats and want to help in anyway I can. Even though I can’t own one myself, I know how impactful cats can be. My Aunt Uncle, and Grandmother rescued 3 cats back in 2011 and it brought so much joy to their households.”
Justin Paolillo, Treasurer
Robert A. Schaper, V.M.D.
Dr. Schaper has been a veterinarian for over 35 years. He has experience working with animals of all species including dogs, cats, goats, chickens, reptiles and all varieties of pocket pets. Dr. Schaper holds a B.S. in Biology from Gettysburg College, an M.A. in Theology from the University of Chicago Divinity School, an M.A. in Entomology from the University of Arizona, and a V.M.D from the University of Pennsylvania (1983). In his free time, Dr. Schaper enjoys woodworking, gardening, boating, and fishing.
Additional Board Members
“I had always seen the Center when walking on State Street and wanted to learn more about the organization and help out. My first project was revamping the website, which taught me a lot about GNHCP, the work it does, and the history of the organization. Since I do most of my work remote, my favorite thing to do is visit the Center to check in and say hi to all the fosters!"
"I started volunteering at GNHCP in June 2020 after I moved to New Haven and was looking for a way to give back to the community. The cats are so sweet, and it is wonderful to be surrounded by so many other people who love them unconditionally. My favorite part about volunteering is the genuine joy we all feel when a foster goes to their forever home!"
"I started volunteering at GNHCP in the summer of 2020 by doing direct care shifts and then later began to help out with summarizing data and writing grants. I love playing and socializing with the foster cats at the Center and seeing shy cats slowly come out of their shells. But my favorite part of volunteering is seeing the foster cats that I've spent time with get adopted to loving homes."
“I met Cheryl at a holiday cat food drive, and donated food for the feral cats. I was very interested in GNHCP after speaking with Cheryl. I went from stopping at the center 2 times a month to donate cat food, to taking on a direct care shift. There are so many animals out there that need help, and we need to be their voice. I love that at GNHCP we do as much as we can to help animals in need, as well as educate the public on the importance of spay/neuter.
Helping to manage the social media pages has been so much fun. My favorite is posting our fosters Happy at Home, and Feral Fridays. I have volunteer for 13 years so far, and I’m looking forward to many more years at GNHCP 🐾”
“I have been a volunteer for six years, since September 2015. In addition to direct care, I am on the Board for Public Relations, manage the mailchimp account and host the annual tag sale at my house.”
“I started volunteering with GNHCP in July of 2021. I found GNCHP since living in New Haven and since I love cats I thought this would be a great way in giving back to the community. I believe all animals have a voice and I love being able to advocate for them!”
Ellen Su, Graphic Designer
Aileen Fernandez, Newsletter
Maggie Corley, Development
Rachel Schupp,
Social Media
Renee Costantini,
Public Relations
Holly McCarroll,
Fundraising
