Our Mission
Our purpose is to work for the welfare and healthcare of feral cats. This
includes sterilization, daily feedings, necessary vaccinations, and care during
sickness. We strive to adopt friendly kittens and drop-offs that are found within
feral colonies. We also desire to educate the public as to the plight of the feral
cats and how they can be helped.
About Us
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Our History
It all started about 10 years ago when Eleanore noticed some feral
cats at the park she visited. She began feeding them going
everyday. Of course, they continued to multiply. In spring 2006
Leslie happened to be in the park and noticed Eleanore carrying a lot
of cat food followed by her 2 dogs. Leslie was just getting ready to
return to her home state of MI but decided she wanted to help
purchase food for Eleanore. During her time in MI Leslie read up on
the TNR (trap, neuter, return) program advocated by Alley Cat Allies
for feral cats. She returned to FL the next winter of 2007 ready to trap
with a drop trap and 2 smaller humane traps. Leslie and Eleanore
were able to trap, sterilize, and vaccinate about 22 cats. Most were
taken to the SPCA for their treatment. Three kittens were also
adopted. More help was needed so a newspaper article was
published about Eleanore and the cats. Through this more people
came forward to help. Some were already feeding cats at various
times, others volunteered to be substitutes, some gave food, and
others donated money. Things began to get organized. Bonnie and
Yolie continued trapping after Leslie returned to MI and found a vet
who would sterilize for a discounted rate. They also helped to
organize some yard sales to raise funds for food and sterilization. A
newsletter began to be published each month, and a website was set
up. We are now a corporation called Feral Fanciers, Inc. and have
achieved non-profit status. We are now helping other feral cat
caregivers trap and sterilize their cats as our funds allow. An
adoption program has been set up at the Lakeland Petco Store as
many friendly feral cats and kittens were found within the feral
groups. Our group works closely with the Lakeland SPCA and a local
vet. More people are assisting in many different areas, and we have
organized into departments which are listed below.
It all started about 10 years ago when Eleanore noticed some feral
cats at the park she visited. She began feeding them going
everyday. Of course, they continued to multiply. In spring 2006
Leslie happened to be in the park and noticed Eleanore carrying a lot
of cat food followed by her 2 dogs. Leslie was just getting ready to
return to her home state of MI but decided she wanted to help
purchase food for Eleanore. During her time in MI Leslie read up on
the TNR (trap, neuter, return) program advocated by Alley Cat Allies
for feral cats. She returned to FL the next winter of 2007 ready to trap
with a drop trap and 2 smaller humane traps. Leslie and Eleanore
were able to trap, sterilize, and vaccinate about 22 cats. Most were
taken to the SPCA for their treatment. Three kittens were also
adopted. More help was needed so a newspaper article was
published about Eleanore and the cats. Through this more people
came forward to help. Some were already feeding cats at various
times, others volunteered to be substitutes, some gave food, and
others donated money. Things began to get organized. Bonnie and
Yolie continued trapping after Leslie returned to MI and found a vet
who would sterilize for a discounted rate. They also helped to
organize some yard sales to raise funds for food and sterilization. A
newsletter began to be published each month, and a website was set
up. We are now a corporation called Feral Fanciers, Inc. and have
achieved non-profit status. We are now helping other feral cat
caregivers trap and sterilize their cats as our funds allow. An
adoption program has been set up at the Lakeland Petco Store as
many friendly feral cats and kittens were found within the feral
groups. Our group works closely with the Lakeland SPCA and a local
vet. More people are assisting in many different areas, and we have
organized into departments which are listed below.
Feral Fancier Departments showing how our volunteers help
Trap Neuter or Spay and Return (TNR)
Bonnie
main liaison with SPCA
traps ferals
transports ferals back and forth to SPCA
keeps ferals for recovery
gives scabies shots
Tucker
helps with trapping
Leslie
when in FL helps with trapping, transport, and recovery
helps with scabies shots
Pam M. Sharon S.
trap, transport, and recovery in E Polk County
help in relocating ferals
ADOPTIONS
Yolie
adoption coordinator
determines procedures
sets up schedule
follows up on vet appointments
Bonnie
gives distemper shots and worm pills prior to going to adoption
Yolie
takes pictures for adoption page on website
Sharon D., Vonnie, Terry, Susan C., Narvel and Debbie, Alec, Yolie
conduct adoptions at Petco at assigned times
FOSTERING
Sharon D., Bonnie, Lorraine. Yolie , Terry, Judy (during winter months)
care for cats in their homes and transport them back and forth to Petco for adoptions
Anna, Tucker
care for young kittens
WEBSITE
Randy
puts together website
Leslie
writes and gathers pictures for monthly newsletter and sends them to Randy
updates about us page
sends cat statistics each month
Bonnie
does graph for cat statistics page
Yolie
does adoption page
FERAL COLONY FEEDING
Yolie
coordinator for a large area
enlists volunteers (Eleanore, Alice and Karl, Susan C., Fred and Kim) to help with feeding
acquires the necessary food
rescues friendly dropoffs
Bonnie
feeds 3 feral groups
Pama
feeds 3 feral groups in S. Lakeland
Sharon S. and Pam M.
feed groups in E. Polk County
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Yolie and Terry
fundraising and education through events, canisters, Clothes Closet, etc.
Pama
helps with events
hands out cards and info
gathers necessary supplies
Toni
put together information for fundraising campaign
working on information brochure for Feral Fanciers
GRANT APPLICATIONS
Leslie, Yolie (4 have been sent in)
Money has been received from 1 of these grants
LIAISON WITH VET
Terry and Yolie
set up and take cats to Dr. Irelan for appointments and surgeries
Leslie
helps with this when in FL
FINANCES
Leslie
keeps track of all income and expenses
balances account each month and categorizes expenses
records all donations and sends out end of year tax receipts
figures yearly income and expenses and categorizes these
files 990 income tax form for nonprofit group
SECRETARIAL
Leslie
sets up group meeting agenda
writes group meeting minutes
sends thank you notes
keeps tracking records of all cats that are helped by our group
How can you help?
1. We always need food and money donations for spaying, neutering and vaccinations.
Most of the expenses have been born by a few people. We sincerely appreciate those who
have donated in the past.
2. We need more volunteers to trap and recover. Bonnie does most of this by herself
and can’t keep up with all the calls.
3. Until all of the cats in a colony are sterilized there will continue to be kittens. The
kittens are easier to capture and if given human contact by about 4-6 weeks can become
friendly and adoptable. We still need people who are willing to foster kittens and other
friendly cats found in feral groups for a limited timespan.
4. Sometimes cat colonies need to be relocated because they are not wanted in their
present location. This is a difficult process but can be achieved. We need people who have
available propery for relocation.
5. We have already had yard sales, Belk fundraisers, canisters, craft fairs, etc. We hope
to do more fundraisers but need help and ideas.
Please contact us via e-mail if you could help in any of these areas and would like to be one
of the people who can make a difference in the lives of feral cats.
Trap Neuter or Spay and Return (TNR)
Bonnie
main liaison with SPCA
traps ferals
transports ferals back and forth to SPCA
keeps ferals for recovery
gives scabies shots
Tucker
helps with trapping
Leslie
when in FL helps with trapping, transport, and recovery
helps with scabies shots
Pam M. Sharon S.
trap, transport, and recovery in E Polk County
help in relocating ferals
ADOPTIONS
Yolie
adoption coordinator
determines procedures
sets up schedule
follows up on vet appointments
Bonnie
gives distemper shots and worm pills prior to going to adoption
Yolie
takes pictures for adoption page on website
Sharon D., Vonnie, Terry, Susan C., Narvel and Debbie, Alec, Yolie
conduct adoptions at Petco at assigned times
FOSTERING
Sharon D., Bonnie, Lorraine. Yolie , Terry, Judy (during winter months)
care for cats in their homes and transport them back and forth to Petco for adoptions
Anna, Tucker
care for young kittens
WEBSITE
Randy
puts together website
Leslie
writes and gathers pictures for monthly newsletter and sends them to Randy
updates about us page
sends cat statistics each month
Bonnie
does graph for cat statistics page
Yolie
does adoption page
FERAL COLONY FEEDING
Yolie
coordinator for a large area
enlists volunteers (Eleanore, Alice and Karl, Susan C., Fred and Kim) to help with feeding
acquires the necessary food
rescues friendly dropoffs
Bonnie
feeds 3 feral groups
Pama
feeds 3 feral groups in S. Lakeland
Sharon S. and Pam M.
feed groups in E. Polk County
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Yolie and Terry
fundraising and education through events, canisters, Clothes Closet, etc.
Pama
helps with events
hands out cards and info
gathers necessary supplies
Toni
put together information for fundraising campaign
working on information brochure for Feral Fanciers
GRANT APPLICATIONS
Leslie, Yolie (4 have been sent in)
Money has been received from 1 of these grants
LIAISON WITH VET
Terry and Yolie
set up and take cats to Dr. Irelan for appointments and surgeries
Leslie
helps with this when in FL
FINANCES
Leslie
keeps track of all income and expenses
balances account each month and categorizes expenses
records all donations and sends out end of year tax receipts
figures yearly income and expenses and categorizes these
files 990 income tax form for nonprofit group
SECRETARIAL
Leslie
sets up group meeting agenda
writes group meeting minutes
sends thank you notes
keeps tracking records of all cats that are helped by our group
How can you help?
1. We always need food and money donations for spaying, neutering and vaccinations.
Most of the expenses have been born by a few people. We sincerely appreciate those who
have donated in the past.
2. We need more volunteers to trap and recover. Bonnie does most of this by herself
and can’t keep up with all the calls.
3. Until all of the cats in a colony are sterilized there will continue to be kittens. The
kittens are easier to capture and if given human contact by about 4-6 weeks can become
friendly and adoptable. We still need people who are willing to foster kittens and other
friendly cats found in feral groups for a limited timespan.
4. Sometimes cat colonies need to be relocated because they are not wanted in their
present location. This is a difficult process but can be achieved. We need people who have
available propery for relocation.
5. We have already had yard sales, Belk fundraisers, canisters, craft fairs, etc. We hope
to do more fundraisers but need help and ideas.
Please contact us via e-mail if you could help in any of these areas and would like to be one
of the people who can make a difference in the lives of feral cats.
| FERAL FANCIERS |
