Catie Richman | Contributing Writer Saving lives, one cat at a time THE STORY Fearless Kitty Rescue was founded in 2012 through the serendipitous friendship and dedication of two avid volunteers, Kim Kamins and Paula Stefan. The lifelong cat lovers stepped up to start their own rescue when the organization where they were volunteering decided to no longer focus on cat adoptions. “We started off with 650 square feet of carpeted space — don’t do that at home. And then it just grew to almost 3,000 square feet in a matter of four and a half years,” said Paula Stefan, co-founder and executive director. The Fountain Hills-based organization has since grown to a 5,200-square- foot facility fondly called “Kittyville,” complete with eight adoption rooms, a medical area and two kitten intake rooms. The nonprofit’s name and logo were inspired by Karma, a tiny kitten whose bold spirit embodied the rescue’s fearless mission. “Karma had just finished eating and was looking up, and they looked and said, ‘Oh, she’s just fearless,’” said Christine Orbeck, a devoted volunteer and board member. “Any time you create something, you’re trying to figure out what’s the most powerful statement in your logo. And she was a pretty powerful star,” said Stefan. Fearless Kitty Rescue primarily serves the Fountain Hills community, but they have extended their reach and taken in kitties from Prescott to Yuma and even Houston. “I think our journey is really trying to save as many animals as we can,” Stefan said. “And being kind in doing it and helping our people; helping the humans as much as we help the animals.” CHARITY SPOTLIGHT {giving back} 38 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | APRIL 2019

Karma, the kitten that provided inspiration for the Fearless Kitty logo, has found a forever home, but her spirit continues to motivate everyone at Fearless Kitty Rescue.