The winner of this year’s Logan City Council Frank Lenz Memorial Award for Volunteer of the Year describes herself as an honorary ‘crazy cat lady’ who has dedicated her life to saving vulnerable felines.
Deborah Bright lives in Loganlea with over 40 cats, where she founded her charity Little Paws Kitten Rescue in 1990.
The dedicated cat rescuer was nominated for her efforts in rescuing and rehoming more than 10,000 cats and kittens over the past 30 years.
Deborah said she loves all cats and just wants the best for them.
“It’s not their fault they have a bad reputation for hunting wildlife,” she said.
“They get bred, dumped or abandoned, and then just do what they can to survive.
“All animals, cats included, deserve a forever home where they are loved and cared for.”
Logan City Council Volunteer of the year Deborah Bright with three day old kittens she’s raising
The organisation is not just about rehoming local cats, but also on educating the public about properly caring for the animals.
It also exists to spread joy, with Deborah visiting aged care homes regularly over the years, just to bring smiles to the residents’ faces.
Deborah said although she was delighted to receive the award, she wanted locals to know it’s not all about her.
“I was honestly so surprised,” she said.
“There were plenty of volunteers who were much more worthy than me.
“I also want to say a big thank you to all of my volunteers, carers, and sponsors.
“They mean a lot to me and make Little Paws Kitten Rescue what it is.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
Logan City Council Volunteer of the year Deborah Bright with one of her cats and his Teddy
Logan City Mayor Darren Power said Deborah was a worthy winner of this year’s individual volunteer award.
“Deborah has done some amazing work in Logan for 30 years and has touched and enhanced so many people’s lives through her efforts with Little Paws,” Mayor Power said.
“She is a shining example of how our volunteers in this City operate; quietly and behind the scenes, doing what they can every day to make life a little bit better for us all.”
