| | | October 2021 -- In This Edition - Bling Bling!
- Musings from the Editor - On Black Cats
- The Black Cats of October
- Meowloween Safety
- Combined Federal Campaign - We Need Your Help!
- Adoption Events
- Adopted Cats
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| | | | Who's There? FFGW! FFGW Who? FFGW... Again...
It does seem that way... every month, FFGW shows up in your inbox, asking for donations. One month, it's buying grocery bags, another month it's bedsheets, the next month some other trinket... and we fear you're as tired of these little fundraisers as we are tired of asking for money. In the world of animal rescue, money flies out the door as quickly as kittens heading to forever homes.
The past 18 months have been unusual for a variety of reasons, one of which has been our inability to hold large in-person fundraisers of the sort that have kept us going in past years - in fact, our last big fundraiser was planned for April 2020 and... we hope that we will still be able to do it someday.
And so, those little fundraisers have been our lifeline. Those few dollars raised may not seem like a lot for all the times we reminded you to buy sheets, but for the litter of kittens it will allow us to pull from a kill shelter, it means all the world. We hope you understand... and don't forget that the Cozzzy Comfy linens fundraiser runs though October 11! See the info further down in this newsletter.
Also this month, we ask that if you are a federal employee, you list FFGW as a recipient in your agency’s CFC/United Way campaign (CFC#26212; United Way #8911). We are also asking for some special help with the campaign, later in this newsletter.
This month, we bring you a chance to buy some really pretty cool jewelry. We're excited to have this opportunity which we hope will raise more than a few dollars to rescue kitties. You are warmly invited to join us at the Kendra Scott store at the Mosaic Center in Merrifield, from 11 - 1 on Saturday, October 23, where we will be having an adoption event and 20% of all sales during that time period will be donated to FFGW. Not only that, but if you can't join us to pet the adoptable kittens in person, you can shop online with the special code below all weekend October 23 - 24, and we still get 20% of your purchase! Kendra Scott has some great cat-themed jewelry, and we can't wait to add some cat bling to our lives! All the details are below! |
| | | | | | | Come adopt a cat... or just some cat jewelry! We hope to see you in-store 11 - 1 October 23 |
| | Musings On Black Cats
Our Editor Has Some Thoughts About the Season's Feline Icon |
| | | | This Editorial Originally Ran October 2019... but despite increasing awareness of the need to continue to adopt black cats even in the month of October, this week our Facebook and Instagram feed has been full of stories of rescues suspending black cat adoptions for an entire month. Sadly, both Pearl and the Boo Bowl are gone now, but it seems that these thoughts then still have relevance... especially if you're a black cat! And so... knock, knock, here we are again! |
| | It’s early October as I write this, the leaves are starting to turn, acorns are falling with a force that would send Chicken Little scurrying for the hills, and the Halloween decorations and candy have been out now for at least two weeks. I’m working on FFGW’s October Newsletter, sitting here with a cup of coffee and a breakfast of cereal in the “BOO” bowl, while Pearl patiently (ok, not so patiently) waits for me to finish so she can have her mandatory couple of licks of milk before I remind her cats are lactose intolerant and rinse the bowl out in the sink.
The BOO bowl is a leftover from my kids’ younger days, and is adorned with cats on the inside, but surprisingly not black cats – Boo is filled with sleepy tabbies. I like the bowl as it is a rare item that doesn't portray a black cat of the season. Don't get me wrong - I love black cats, and have three of them. As a cat person, with a few too many cat-shaped things in the house, I’ve always liked the Halloween images – after all, what’s not to like about seeing black cats everywhere this time of year? Taking a step back, though, I realize that those images are anything but positive. Typically, the cat’s back is arched, the tail is fluffed, the cat is snarling or hissing and the eyes are a frightening shade of orange. In fact, when I asked my son to add a cat to his drawing, so I could feature it in this Newsletter, without my specifying the type of cat it first came out that way.
How did black cats become associated with fright, with witches, with evil? If any color of cat was associated with Halloween, shouldn’t it be the black and orange tortie? Black cats surely need to hire one of those image scrubbers who remove negative stuff about you from the internet…
For a long time, rescues believed that there was the need for special protection of black cats at Halloween, with some going as far as to halt all adoptions of black cats for the entire month of October. We’re now learning that is not necessary (see the article later in this newsletter), and that’s a good thing. Unfortunately, black cats fall into the category of “less adoptable” – a term that, as you’ll see elsewhere in this newsletter, is wrong as well. I’m glad that FFGW does not give black cats only 11/12ths of the chance other cats have to be adopted.
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| | The weeks before Halloween are the quiet before the storm, the last bit of time before the hustle and bustle of the holidays starts in earnest. It’s also a tough time for rescues, as donations, which typically are the greatest around the holidays, are in a valley but costs continue unabated. Your support for our mini fundraisers this year has really helped us and we extend our sincere thanks! We hope you'll consider our end of the year campaign next month as we look forward to starting 2022 continuing to help at-risk cats and kittens.
I hope one day soon to see you at one of our weekly adoption events. I’ll be the one showing off photos of his three black cats... and a white one with a serious milk problem.
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| | The Black Cats of October |
| | Hello... By day, I am Raven, FFGW Adoptee, Billionaire Purrlanthropist... At Night, Criminals, a Cowardly Lot of Mice and Bugs, call me... |
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It was a not too-distant time when our Caped Crusader Catman was in the temporary Cat Cave at an adoption event, awaiting the Cat Coordinates for his forever home. Now, he's here to bust the myths about black cats! Then, as now, many of the cats currently in the care of FFGW - are black.
Black cats, right before Halloween? Yes, FFGW does not suspend black cat adoptions for the month before Halloween. On the one paw, our adoption counselors are attuned to any vibrations of someone adopting for less than honorable purposes. On the other paw, we may tell an adopter that they can adopt, and pick up the cat after Halloween. On the third paw, our adoption fee makes it less likely that someone dishonorable would spend the money to adopt. And, on the fourth paw - the real truth is that black cats are no more likely to be hurt at Halloween, than any other time of year.
Various studies have shown that any cat that is outdoors is at risk at Halloween, and one of the many reasons that FFGW’s adoption contract requires that cats be kept indoors (the greatest risk is the adopter's neighbor's children - not the adopter).
Best Friends Animal Society agrees:
Indeed, the ASPCA says the greatest risk to black cats around Halloween is perishing in shelters.
It is a commonly held belief that black cats have a harder time than other coat colors with respect to being adopted - all year long. Perhaps it’s because they’re more difficult to photograph, or because their facial features seem to be invisible, except for those eyes. Or, maybe it’s their association with scary things of the season. How did black cats get such a bad reputation, that association with witches and goblins and all things scary? It doesn’t have to be that way! In England and Japan, having a black cat cross your path is considered to be – GOOD luck! And in parts of France, black cats are referred to as "matagots" or "magician cats." According to local superstition, they bring good luck to owners who feed them well and treat them with the respect they deserve. Now that’s a superstition we need to encourage! So please help spread the word – black cats actually bring good luck, and FFGW has lots of sleek, purring, good luck ready for a forever home... cats like Bandit or Lucky! |
| Bandit, his mother and sister were rescued from a rural shelter from which FFGW helps save many wonderful cats throughout the year. These three are darlings who adore people, laps, sleeping next to you and more!
You may notice that Bandit has a bit of cloudiness in one of his eyes. Our vet says it was likely caused by an eye infection that occurred when he was very young, and, because it was not treated, it caused some scarring. She assures us that Bandit has sight in that eye, though it is not perfect sight; that there is no pain associated with the scarring and that there is no expectation that this old scarring will cause any future medical concerns.
Bandit or his brother Sunbeam can head to homes with other cats as they would love a buddy to play with! You can read more about Bandit, his brother Sunbeam on our website just by clicking their names.
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| Lucky is a handsome, healthy, curious, and playful 1 year old furry pal! He is an amazing and smart boy who loves hanging around with his foster Mom and enjoys the company of other cats.
He likes to 'hang out' watching TV, taking over the yoga mat as his foster Mom stretches, and trying to catch the reflection of her stationary bicycle pedals in the window when she cycles.
Lucky is FIV+, but as you can read on his web page, he can live a long, healthy life with no intervention. |
| | | | Gooood Eeeeevveennning...
Oh! Hi, Count Catula! Goodness, what big teeth you have. Are you telling us a spooky story tonight?
No... Tonight, I am telling you all about... Meow-o-ween Safety!
With Halloween just weeks away, it is important to remember that more pets are lost on Halloween night and July 4th than any other day of the year.
With everyone's attention focused on Covid safety, it's easy to also forget pet safety. Halloween can be noisy and very frightening to pets, even if you will not be opening your door this year. If you will be entertaining the little ones, a disoriented cat or dog may scurry out the front door while you are handing out candy to cute little ghosts, goblins, witches... and the occasional cat. Not only is the door a hazard, but off limits food such as candy abounds, not to mention all those fun discarded candy wrappers that crinkle just great and are a lot of fun for little paws.
Don't forget to take extra steps to ensure kitty stays in, and if your home will be open to trick-or-treaters, or you'll be having a social distanced gathering, any knocking on the door and noise from revelers doesn't stress her out.
Consider keeping Fluffy in a room, far away from the noise, with some soothing music, and perhaps a spray of Feliway, Rescue Remedy or Spirit Essence “Safe Space.” Keeping your cats in a safe room will not only avoid one getting outside, but will also keep them away from tempting treats like chocolate which can make them seriously ill, or those fun, crinkly candy wrappers which can do the same. |
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Make sure everyone knows not to open the safe room door! |
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Mom says we have to stay inside... I wanted to go Trick or Mouse!
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I'll be robbing kibbles from the rich, and giving them to the poor!
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Mittens never lived down the year he skipped his usual tuxedo for a witch's costume and everyone told him he wasn't a "real" black cat... |
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What a miserable neighborhood. All they give out is candy - I didn't get a single mouse in my bag!
No unwilling cats were harmed in the production of these photographs. HOWEVER… Before you decide to put Fluffy in a Halloween costume, please read what Award-Winning Cat-Blogger Ingrid King says about that, and don’t add any stress to your felines this holiday!
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| | | We Need Your Help! The Combined Federal Campaign is an effort through the United Way for Federal Employees to participate in charitable giving. Under the auspices of the program, employees can select from a wide array of charities for giving. In past years, a dedicated crew of volunteers has attended events at area Federal agencies, and spoke about FFGW. This year, most charity events will be virtual. We need people who can participate in the virtual events and talk about FFGW, our program, and how important giving thorugh the CFC is to our mission. We'll help you with what to say! If you can help, just reply to this newsletter! Thank you VERY much!! |
| | Last Weekend for some Awesome Linens! Click the picture, and use the code below! |
| | | Amazon Smile!
We'll admit that in an effort to stay home, we've been ordering a lot online, much of it through Amazon. What if you could do that, and help your favorite rescue at the same time?
Well... you can!
The image below will take you to smile.amazon.com, where you can select Feline Foundation of Greater Washington to receive a portion of every purchase you make.
It doesn't change the price to you, but it can mean extra cash for FFGW!
Please think about us when you shop! |
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| I Feel Like Something Chewy!
Actually, not that chewy, but "Chewy"!
www.chewy.com is a pet product company specializing in home delivery of all things pet-related.
FFGW has a "wish list" which you can find here:
Chewy Wish List
Any products you select from our wish list will be delivered directly to us for use at our adoption center at PetSmart and by our fosters!
If you're new to Chewy, we'll even get a gift certificate for bringing in a new purchaser.
It's a great way to help us in our mission to help the kitties!
Thanks to everyone who has donated food, treats, litter, beds, toys... Chewy's platform doesn't allow us to see the names of our generous donors, but please know that your support is very much appreciated! And if you drop us a line and let us know when you donate something, we'll be more than happy to send our thanks!
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| | Adoption Fairs
Reston Monthly Fair Just Cats Clinic - 3rd Saturday/Month 1 - 3 pm Next Event - Saturday October 16 Leesburg Weekly Fair Leesburg PetSmart Every Sunday Noon - 3 p.m. Next Event - Sunday October 10
-- Midweek Adoptions by Appointment for Cats at Leesburg Center We need volunteers to help care for the cats - contact Brittany@ffgw.org
Looking for a new cat for your family? Get pre-approved for adoption by filling out an adoption form online today.)
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We've Gone Home!
Adopted in September (38): Sparky, Russell, Rosemary, Paprika, Stacey, Davey, Pippa, Smokey, Thor, Loki, Elbe, Felicity, Axel, Jadis, Lucia, Tilly, Black Bean, Shyla, Bugs, Sparkles, Luna, Duchess, Porsche, Dorito, Jazmine, Ava, Tigger, Sylvester, Diego, Ketchup, Griffin, Melody, Tori, Lala, Lila, Boots, Venus & Sagwa
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