Volunteer Spotlight: Mint Sungvornyothin
One Cat at Home Is Never Enough!
At Chicagoland Animal Rescue, our volunteers come from all walks of life, but they share one very important thing: a huge heart for animals. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Mint Sungvornyothin, who has been part of the CAR family for about three years.
Mint first discovered CAR almost by accident—or perhaps, more accurately, because the CAR cats kept catching her attention.
“I live like 3 minutes away from PetSmart, so whenever I come in to do my shopping I always see the CAR kitties there, so it got me interested in volunteering!”
And once Mint started volunteering, there was no turning back!
When asked what attracted her to CAR’s mission, Mint gave an answer that any cat lover can appreciate:
“One cat at home is not enough! I need to take care for more and pet more kitties, and this is a great way to do that!”
But her commitment goes far beyond getting her kitty fix. Mint has always loved animals and enjoys giving her time to help them.
At CAR, she cares for cats at PetSmart as well as our foster cats off site. Her volunteer duties include cleaning their spaces, feeding and medicating cats, and—perhaps most importantly—giving them plenty of playtime, socialization, and one-on-one attention. Mint is also one of CAR’s talented photographers and loves participating in crafts and other creative projects. In fact, one of the contributions she’s most proud of is something that helps our cats long after her volunteer shift is over:
CAR uses the photographs Mint takes of our cats on their adoption profiles!
Those photos can be a cat’s first introduction to a potential adopter, helping their personality shine through and hopefully catching the eye of the person who will become their forever family.
An Animal Lover Through and Through
It’s safe to say that Mint doesn’t discriminate when it comes to loving animals. When asked if she has always been an animal lover, her answer was an emphatic:
“Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
She followed that up with a pretty fantastic description:
“I love all animals, even the unloved—all sizes, wings, fur, gills, exoskeletons—love them all.”
Her own animal family certainly reflects that philosophy. Mint currently shares her home with Eliza, her 9-year-old cat, and Beef Wellington—a Pacman frog who goes by “Beef” for short. She also keeps isopods and roaches as a hobby, although she insists they’re family too!
Over the years, her pets have also included a dog, hamsters, fish, and a snail.
Professionally, Mint gets to spend even more time around animals as an attendant at a doggie daycare and boarding facility. Clearly, working with animals isn't just something she does in her spare time—it’s a big part of who she is.
The Power of Patience: Missy Bella’s Story
One of the experiences that has stayed with Mint the most is her relationship with Missy Bella, a senior cat who needed something that can sometimes be difficult to give an animal in a busy shelter environment: time, patience, and trust.
Mint vividly remembers the first day she met Missy Bella while learning how to care for CAR’s senior cats. Missy was terrified. She hid in the corner, glared at Mint, and hissed whenever she came too close. Even an attempt to offer her favorite treats was met with a swat and another hiss. But Mint didn't give up—and, more importantly, she didn't push her. Each time she visited, she would simply say hello, feed Missy, clean her space, and give her the room she needed.
Slowly, something began to change. Mint could get a little closer. Then a little closer still. Eventually, Missy allowed her to reach out a hand for a sniff. Then came the first head bop. Then a little pet on the head. And one day, something incredible happened. Mint walked through the front door, and Missy Bella came right up to her and rubbed against her legs. It was the first time Mint had ever really touched her.
From there, their relationship continued to grow until Missy was comfortable enough to sit on Mint’s lap and enjoy being petted.
Mint says thinking back on that transformation nearly brings her to tears.
“It felt like she was two completely different cats, but no, it’s good ol’ Missy Bella! All she needed was just trust and love.”
Missy Bella’s story is also a beautiful example of why CAR’s foster program is so important. Senior cats, particularly those who have experienced trauma or have more difficult personalities, can sometimes be overlooked by adopters. At CAR’s offsite foster space, these cats have a safe and comfortable place to call home while they wait for their forever families. They have their favorite toys, cozy sleeping spots, and—thanks to volunteers like Mint—people who are willing to sit with them, understand them, and love them exactly as they are.
For Missy Bella, patience made all the difference.
Why Mint Keeps Coming Back
There are plenty of reasons Mint has remained involved with CAR for three years. She gets attached to the cats. She loves meeting new faces. And, of course, there’s nothing quite like watching a cat she’s cared for finally find their forever home. But she also loves the CAR volunteer community.
“Everyone is always helping each other, from bringing cats to vet appointments to cleaning/tidying up and even offering support outside of volunteer work. Everyone is in it together and I just love that!!”
That sense of community is a huge part of what makes rescue work special. Every adoption, every clean kennel, every medication given, every photograph taken, every nervous cat who finally accepts a gentle hand—it all happens because people are willing to show up for the animals.
Why CAR Matters
When asked what she believes is some of CAR’s most important work, Mint highlighted the rescue’s ability to give shelter cats a second chance by helping relocate cats from larger shelters into a high-traffic adoption environment like PetSmart. She also emphasized the importance of CAR’s work with senior cats. These cats may be less likely to find homes quickly, but that doesn't make them any less deserving of comfort, companionship, and love. And sometimes, as Missy Bella demonstrated, the right person simply needs to give them the time to show who they really are.
Thank You, Mint! 💕
Mint, thank you for three years of caring for CAR’s cats, photographing them, cleaning up after them, giving them medication and meals, making them feel safe, and—perhaps most importantly—giving them your time, patience, and love. Thank you for seeing the cats who might otherwise be overlooked. And thank you for reminding us that sometimes the biggest transformations happen quietly, one tiny step at a time.
We are so grateful to have you as part of the CAR family!
“I’m sooo grateful for everyone at CAR! It’s truly a rewarding experience to be a part of the community that works hard to give these kitties the love, care, and second chances they deserve.”