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About F.O.F.
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Friends of Felines is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats in our community by working with committed caretakers through a trap/spay neuter/vaccinate and return program. Friends of Felines, a local organization is in desperate need of new volunteers and community support. Organized in 1996, Friends of Felines caretakers and volunteers have trapped, spayed/neutered, and released back to their colonies over 4,000 feral cats, thereby preventing the birth of tens of thousands of unwanted, homeless kittens. But volunteers come and go, with the demands of life, homes, families, and jobs. Right now we are at an all-time low for active volunteers to help the cats. We are asking for anyone who loves animals and has as little as 2 (two) hours a month to spare for a great cause to contact Friends of Felines about volunteer opportunities. We need volunteers to help with writing newsletter articles, hands-on work at spay/neuter clinics, Azalea Festival, Riverfest, Paw Jam and other fundraisers and educational/informational events. Please call for more information: 910.452.6721 or email us at friendsofelines@aol.com From Volunteer To Caregiver My name is Emily Turner and I am a sophomore at UNCW. I started volunteering at the Friends of Felines clinics about two years ago when I started working at College Road Animal Hospital. At that time, Dr. G. Robert Weedon was one of our DVM’s and he recruited me into the Friends of Felines volunteer crew. For those that are not aware about the organization, the FOF volunteers trap feral cats from their communities and bring them to local animal hospitals to be vaccinated as well as sterilized. They are released back into the community where they no longer contribute to the domestic animal overpopulation issue. Prior to my first clinic during my senior year of high school, I had never seen a spay or neuter performed, and was amazed at how knowledgeable the PVMA (Pre-Veterinary Medical Association) volunteers from UNCW were about spays, neuters, surgical preparations, anesthesia, etc. Due to these clinics, I was able to meet and work side by side with the members of the PVMA and was well-informed of the great volunteer opportunities available through this organization. I am now a Secretary for the PVMA, and coordinate the clinics at College Road Animal Hospital. Volunteering at the FOF clinics has been a great experience for me and I have learned an incredible amount from the DVM’s, experienced PVMA volunteers, and of course the FOF volunteers. FOF is a great volunteer program to be involved in and it is always rewarding to help the animals in the community. What is a Feral? They are the "wild" offspring of domestic cats that are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay/neuter their cats, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. Many of these kittens will never have contact with humans and will eventually become fearful of them. These feral cats band together to become colonies. From the Heart of A Feral Colony Caregiver Three years ago ... when my Husband and I adopted our first colony of feral kitties ... we had no clue what to expect. We only knew that we had a comfortable shed, plenty of land, and a desire to help. I can honestly tell you that the rewards have been enormous! Don't get me wrong ... there is definitely work involved ... but I cannot imagine a better way to start (or end) my day ... than feeding these sweet, hungry, grateful guys! Some eat in the house ... some in the studio ... some in the garage ... some at the back door ... and some in the shed ... who needs the gym? Since then, we have taken in several feral individuals ... and, most recently, a portion of a large colony. It's amazing how quickly most of the kitties acclimate to their new surrounds, new felines, and to us. Each of our guys has a name that suits their personality.. and they all answer to their names. Each of these "feral" kitties wants to be touched ... some just a little ... but they all need affection daily. Needless to say, we have lots of stories about our Furry Family ... "Riana" is the subject of one of our favorite tales. She was the wildest girl we ever knew ... living in the rafters ... threatening to bite anyone who came near her ... today she is absolutely the most affectionate cat we have ever known ... and, in our collective 125 years (ouch), we have know quite a few! Riana will not voluntarily leave our laps ... she snuggles and kisses us as long as we are seated. We cannot imagine life without our "Formerly Feral Family" ... when my Husband calls me from the West Coast (his job requires traveling) ... the first thing he asks is "How are all my kitties?" I would encourage anyone with the desire to help feral cats to call Friends of Felines ... and get involved. At the end of every day, you will be certain that you made a difference in a life ... and every life matters. Speaking of making a difference ... the selfless Friends of Felines Volunteers are the hardest working folks you'll ever meet! Upcoming Events
Check out the article in the Wilmington Star News Tuesday Dec. 27th.
Little Man Needs your support. Please "chip-in" It's not often we ask for donations for a dog, but Little Man is in desperate need. He is a 7 year old beagle who has seizures, thyroid issues and a severe skin allergy. His owner had to give him up because he is in the final stages of cancer and can no longer care for him. We took him in because despite all his difficulties he is the greatest dog ever! He is so full of personality. He loves to play and is so loving and gentle. He is an inspiration to everyone who meets him. With that said, his vet bills are piling up! $458 so far. He is in a foster home and being taken very good care of. Please help us pay for his vet expenses by following the link above and send us any amount you can afford. He will need a forever home soon too. If you want a new addition to your family give us a call at 452.6721. We will require a vet reference. I know you will understand why.
We need volunteers who love the throw parties! We are looking for energetic people who LOVE to plan parties and "get together" events to raise desperately need funds. If you are interested please give us a call at 452.6721. Meetings Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month. We change the location, so please call for information. 910.452.6721. Do you have a farm with a barn that needs a few feral cats! We always have situations where a colony of cats are being run off of the property they have called home for generations because of development. They need a new home and we need your help. If you have a farm and are willing to feed, water and care for them as well as have good mousers... please give us a call. 452.6721. |
One Little Colony Makes A Big Impression by Donna Bloomer When I was asked to help with a small colony of cats off Market Street in Wilmington I didn’t know that this one little group of cats would have big results for me and for others helping them. I only knew the location had some kittens and pregnant female cats, and the situation was critical. Shortly before Easter I met some of the workers and residents at the colony’s home--an assisted living apartment complex for adults with disabilities. I was welcomed by Paige, a social worker and friend of the community; Betty, a long-time manager who had placed the urgent call to FOF and Devin, the resident ‘cat-whisperer.’ We immediately began trapping near the cats’ feeding station, on the front porch of one of the apartments. The cats were used to people coming and going but ran when anyone directly approached them. Devin told me he had worked with the cats, and it was obvious that the cats trusted him. With his help I got two pregnant female cats and one young male to a clinic after the first evening of trapping. In short order all the identified female cats and all but one of the males had been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped and returned to their homes. Two little tuxedo kittens from the colony, named ‘Betty and Devin’ after their human friends, were tamed and found great homes thanks to Adopt an Angel. The team effort for the little colony has had a number of positive results; Paige and Devin have volunteered at a FOF clinic, where they were able to see firsthand how the cats from their community were cared for. Through many onsite visits and conversations, the residents have been made aware of the importance of spaying and neutering of cats. Community management and staff are pleased that the cats are altered and vaccinated. The cats are no longer in danger of being trapped and removed, thanks to Friends of Felines volunteers. They are free to visit and reduce stress among their human neighbors. Kittens: From Feral to Friendly Do you ever wonder what happens to the kittens that Friends of Felines trap? Well, most of the time they are “rehabbed” by volunteers and put up for adoption. Although this sounds easy, it is often an ominous and sometimes expensive process. The kittens are often flea and worm ridden, underweight, and sick. So first, the kittens are bathed to rid them of the fleas and then given deworming medicine. Now they are ready for the tough part, a lot of TLC. Often these kittens have never been around people, so to say they are afraid would be an understatement. The kittens are kept in cages where they can see the humans at all times and realize they are not to be feared. The volunteers take every opportunity to take the kittens out of the cages and hold them, getting them used to a human touch. If the kittens are sick they must be medicated throughout the day. This task, although easily accomplished, causes the kitties great angst, thus re-enforcing their fear of humans. Usually a month after they’ve been caught, they are flea and worm free, healthy, and now ready for their final insult, being spayed or neutered! After a lot of hard work, and a large amount of money, the kittens are ready to be adopted. Friends of Felines works with Cat Tails, Adopt-an-Angel, and Cat Adoption Team, who are kind enough to take our babies and find them “furever” homes. And you thought all we did was trap, fix, and release! Now you know more of the story Overpopulation is a heartbreaking tragedy. Spay or neuter your pets!!! SIGN UP!!! to receive the latest news by email!!! Donations by Credit Card
Donate online with your Credit Card! (Click the button to be taken to a secure Credit Card processing site) Yearly Totals
Year End Total for 2010 - 804 cats Year End Total for 2009 - 621 cats Year End Total for 2008 - 723 cats Year End Total for 2007 - 657 cats Year End Total for 2006 - 604 cats |
