Denver7 honors Dumb Friends League 'hero' couple

When Chris Slater began volunteering at the Dumb Friends League 30 years ago, she knew she had found her calling. What she didn’t know was that she would meet her future husband – fellow volunteer, Jim – doing what she loves: fostering kittens.

The kindhearted couple first met when Chris was teaching a class on fostering pets that Jim was attending at the League. Class after class, their friendship grew until one moment changed everything. Jim recalled being at Chris’ house one day and meeting her foster kittens.

“I picked up one of the kittens and kissed it, and she (Chris) just looked dumbfounded,” Jim told Denver7.

The local news station named the two this week’s Denver7 Everyday Hero.

Fast forward to today, and the two continue to dedicate their time and expertise to pets in need – only now they do it as one. Chris and Jim have been together for eight years and married for five, and they are unstoppable when it comes to caring for cats and kittens who need ongoing medical attention outside of the shelter.

“If we don’t have volunteers like Chris and Jim, it’s really hard for us to stay on top of everything we have to get done with all the kittens that we have,” Taylor, a foster care associate, told Denver7.

Chris and Jim are just two of 495 foster parents who selflessly take in animals who need a little extra TLC until they find the right home. In the last six months, foster parents have served 62,477 hours to help ensure the safety and well-being of animals in need. If you’re interested in fostering pets at the League, click here to learn more.