Some interesting facts:
Cats are induced ovulators, which means that the act of breeding stimulates the release of eggs from the ovaries. Most females require three to four matings within a 24-hour period for ovulation to occur. It only takes a minute or two for cats to mate, and cats may mate multiple times in a very short period.
There are no valid reasons for letting a cat have a heat cycle or have a litter of kittens before being spayed. Females can actually have their first heat cycle as young as 4-5 months and can become pregnant on their very first heat. It is a myth that female cats become more friendly if they are allowed to have a litter of kittens. This is not true and it serves to contribute further to the serious problem of cat overpopulation.
Some female cats will urinate more frequently or even spray urine when they are in heat. Unneutered males learn how to spray early in their lives.
Unspayed females run the risk of mammary cancer and/or pyometra (when the uterus becomes infected)---both conditions can kill a cat.
Unneutered males run the risk of prostate cancer. Also unneutered males are at high risk of fighting which is how FIV and leukemia are spread.
A female cat can easily give birth to 3 litters of kittens per year, with an average of 4 kittens per litter, in an average lifetime of 15 years--this could result up to 180 kittens for ONE unspayed cat. And the web of overpopulation continues with each kitten as they start having litters of their own.
Did you know that 71% of cats that enter shelters are euthanized? Approximately (minimally) 860,000 cats are euthanized in the US annually.
And the answer to all of this is simple---spaying and neutering. That's such a simple answer and it prevents so much suffering.
People sometimes become upset with FFRC because we cannot take on all the unwanted kittens and cats that need a home. It's absolutely impossible to do that. Some days we receive 25-35 calls a DAY to take more on.
It's a space problem (sometimes we simple do not have any quarantine condos/rooms left)
It's a money problem (we sink in at least $350 in each and every cat and kitten)
It's a time problem (there's only so many hours in a day to care for all of the cats that are already here).
But, there is a solution. If everyone helped get even ONE cat spayed or neutered, it would drastically decrease the problem. Many people wait until the problem of too many cats on their property is overwhelming and then ask for help. How much easier is it to spay that first cat than to have a whole litter to take care of?
**** FFRC is only one rescue and we try and do our very best. We do this rescue because of our love for the cats, our dedication to helping them and our desire to bring the overpopulation problem down. Please.....when calling us or stopping by, don't become angry with us if we cannot take on anymore cats or kittens. We're the ones trying to help! We did not create the problems (as many of you have not either)--we are simply trying to help as many as we can. ****
We offer low cost spay/neuter events twice a month, with the help of HumaneOhio. Call us weekdays 9-5 to ask questions, to set up an appointment.
Outside cats are $30--they receive a vet physical, their surgery, 24 hour soreness med, rabies vaccine and an ear tip.
Inside cats are $45--they receive a vet physical, their surgery and 24 hour soreness med.
ALL cats have the option of receiving a flea treatment and vaccines.
We have some more adoptions happening soon! There's one in particular that I want to let you know about, as it's an extra special one. Elsie!! And Elsie is thrilled! She will be adopted in mid November. Yes, I know we designated her as a resident, but I cannot refuse this awesome home. It's one of those perfect opportunities. Her new mama already has a blind cat and so is experienced in this. Plus, she has a wheel already that Elsie will love. Her new mama has already visited her and she is wonderful. Elsie spent a ton of time just laying in her lap. Elsie has been floating in happiness since she was told about this!
We have thanks to give:
Lynne W--donation to FFRC
Marie C--donation to FFRC
Laura H--donation for FFRC
Judy & Phil L--donation for FFRC
Mary LF--donation to FFRC, in honor of daughter Michelle's birthday
Anonymous--donation in memory of Timothy
BillieK--donation in memory of Timothy
Pamela C--donation to FFRC
Faithy--donation to help with a spay!
Mo--a friend of Beth's--donation for FFRC
A special thanks to Megan--she brought FFRC a donation last night. At her business, Goin' Postal, she keeps out a donation jar! Many thanks Megan for doing this for FFRC!
We also had BOXES on Thursday! We love boxes and are always so very grateful!
Lollymop - Baby Ball Pool with 50 colorful balls Gunnar found it first!
Cindy & Linda G - 24ct AA & AAA Batteries, Lady Bug Arch toy for Ramsay, Banana Bed, 2- Purr Pillow Kitties, 30 oz Tub Temptation Snackers
AprilCatlover - 30 ct Fancy Feast 2 Boxes Appetizers
Alan G - GA Note & Lenox figurine Kitty Sweethearts So pretty!
Paul B & kitties Smokey, Pepper, Zaney & Angel Kitty Cozy with photos, Books: Why We Love Cats, Sorry I Barfed on Your Bed, In the Company of Cats and 17 more, a wonderful variety of great books about kitties
FFRC Kitty who will remain anonymous - 6 Boxes Whiskas Purrrfectly Fish!!
Jane 09125 - 16lb Bag Purina One Kitten
Robin R/Penelope - Mesh Food Covers for kitties to play with--it's fun!
Katherine M - 2 12ct Cases Meow Mix Double Cups, 2 cases Baby Food, 2 boxes Squeeze-Ups, Case 40ct Friskies
Anony - 9-12ct Cases of 9-Lives
RascalBoots - 10 Boxes Purrrrfectly Chicken, 30oz Temptation Snackers
Tweeti Tweet/Diane N - 2 Cases Fancy Feast Kitten, 2 Cases Fancy Feast
Nona - Case of KMR
Sharon G & Lena - 4 large Cartons of Juice
Elaine & Alan FL In memory of LittleKat Case 32ct Friskies, 6-24ct Cases Friskies, Case Fancy Feast, Bag of Elsies Litter
Marilyn & Terry - Kiity Card with Chickie $5
Ashley & Neal (adopted Mitz) 2 Donations in honor of Mitz now known as Phoebe Puffay & a Note that had pictures of Mitz. She is happy!
Realty 5 - Defiance $96.60 Donation from sale of a house.. A wonderful program they have to give back to the community
Melissa L - NY Donation
James & Anne M with kitties Skippy & Rusty - Kitty Card with Note and Donation for 20th Anniversary
Susan345 - NY 7 2020 Calandersand Box Tops for Caryn
Fresh Step - 2 Coupons for 25lb litter from the Points off the boxes (thanks senders and Connie D for keeping them up to date)
Jody J Remembrance card for her dog Lucy who died in the house fire. A big thanks for all the items you brought for FFRC, during Catstock
As many of you know, my family and Steve and I love the Outer Banks of NC. We have gone there in the fall for a week for the past 3 years. Our next OBX trip is coming up. This year is a bit different. The house that we are renting had still been available the week after our week. For the past 2 months, I have checked it daily to see if it was rented yet. It was not, so.......it is now! Yes, our family is renting it now for 2 weeks. Let me make one thing clear as I've already heard this twice---this is a 100% family vacation, not FFRC and has been paid by all of us in the family together. Enough said on that! I have never left FFRC for this length of time before. I have complete faith in my volunteers. And the kittens and cats have promised on a catnip patch, that they will be very good, not get hurt, not get sick! This year, I NEED this vacation. We are all looking forward to being together as a family. We will be leaving on Friday, September 27th and be back on October 12 or 13. The volunteers, mods and admins know how to get in touch with me if needed. I will be in daily contact with people here, just checking in on things. During this time, we will not have adoptions (except for Dadou who is leaving on the 28th--more on this later), or Boxes. I'm asking in advance to please hold off on boxes as much as possible during that time! And I will not be doing emails during this time either. We will also not be taking in any kittens or cats during this time. As I said, I very much need this time to get refreshed. I love this FFRC with a passion, but need a bit of time to relax, unwind and enjoy my family. All will be fine--the volunteers have this covered!
You all take care and have a great day!
You all take care and have a great day!
