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| | There's only one reason you're here...
You Love Cats!
That's the same reason every volunteer at FFGW is here and works so hard to rescue. As we start a new year of rescue, we wanted to tell you about a few love stories, both human and feline - because it's the love our volunteers show the kitties in our care that makes what we do so special!
The Hallmark Channel calls this month "Loveuary" - that always makes us think of a potboiler romance novel, typed by a grizzled old tomcat on a vintage typewriter... |
| ... maybe a story about two cats in love, struggling against all odds to protect their little family in the cruel world...
Hoping for rescue!
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| His name was Marcus, but on the streets they called him, "Big Poppa." It was a term of endearment, actually, because Marcus was big - and he was definitely a poppa.
FFGW got a call from Loni, a dedicated volunteer with one of our rescue partners, an organization that is our "boots on the ground" in a rural area of Virginia, working with us to save cats from their (very) high kill shelter. Loni admitted it was a long shot, but...
A box of cats had been thrown out of a car onto the side of a road in a rural area. A passerby called Animal Control, but they had a "no pickup" policy, which means exactly what it sounds like. Lucky for the cats in the box, however, animal control called Loni, and Loni - loves cats. She and her husband set off to find the box, and miraculously, they did.
Loni told us, "it would have broken your heart - two adult cats and three kittens in a small box (with some food and a bed). They were on top of each other for lack of space, and yet mama wasn't going to leave her babies and the dad stayed right there with them as well." Loni's heart didn't break, though, it just swelled larger. Her organization had no foster space ... so Betty, an elderly volunteer took them in anyway ♥
FFGW didn't have any foster space either. ♥So we took them too ♥ |
| | When we heard how devoted the momma and (Big) poppa cat were to their kitten family, we knew that we had to help them write a happy ending to their love story.
Mom and Dad did a good job of raising their babies, too... the kittens are all playful and well socialized, Big Poppa is friendly and Momma loves being petted. And, to help them get a good start on life... we gave them names ♥
Mom Marlene was found to have a hernia - probably the stress of nursing and impact of being through out of the car, and she will soon have surgery to repair and make her healthy.
FFGW is incredibly grateful for your love, and support, that allowed us to rescue this family, and to know that we could provide the medical care and surgery they need!
Coming soon to an adoption event! |
| | | | | Guess Who?
We can't blame you if you don't recognize the couple in the 33-year-old prom picture, but that's our very own Vice-President Brittany Scothorn, and her loving husband Steve!
This year, we want to introduce you to some of the incredible volunteers who are the heart (and soul!) of FFGW, and where better to start during the month of "Loveuary" than with a couple that has been together a very long time, and for almost as long they've had a cat adopted from FFGW! |
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Speaking of that cat... this is Lucy, who is 22!
We'll get to that in a minute - but let's start at the beginning.
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Brittany, who loved cats |
| | | And then, it was 1988, and Brittany and Steve were in high school - Steve was a drummer in the Pep Band, and Brittany... was dating Steve's friend. In a plot truly worthy of a Hallmark movie, Brittany kept trying to set Steve up with her cousins, her friends...but you know how that always works in those movies! (And you already saw their prom photo!) |
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Brittany & Steve, moving to Washington 30 years ago... with their cats Marble & Poofer
Fortunately, in a twist on "Must Love Dogs", Steve is a must love cats sort of guy
When Marble and Poofer passed away, Brittany asked her vet for a recommendation on where to adopt... and came to FFGW to adopt Lucy, 20 years ago! |
| At FFGW, Brittany met Judy Rather Medina and Laura Goodman, founding members, and said that she wanted to adopt a family. And that's how Lucy, and her 10-week old tortie daughters Dinker and Pumpkin, became part of the Scothorn family. |
| | A few years later, Brittany was in the Leesburg PetSmart. She says, "I used to hide from the adoption center, as I didn’t like seeing those cats in there, alone and stuffed in cages. I remember telling Steve "I could never do that and take care of those cats in there behind the glass. It's so sad and so upsetting, but I want to help them and could make their cages cozier. Steve encouraged me to call and just see what it involved to be a volunteer. I did. Once I got in there, I never left!"
Brittany handles much of the intake process for FFGW, working with our partner shelters, and rescues like the one who saved Big Poppa and his family, to bring cats to our adoption center and to foster homes. She also oversees our adoption center in the Leesburg PetSmart, and as Vice-President and member of FFGW's Board of Directors, helps to steer the organization on a steady course for the future.
Steve, besides being her right-hand assistant, late-night emergency fixer, and all-around incredible guy, somehow finds time away from rescue to be the Chief Operating Officer for CVCA, Cardiac Care for Pets.
You might also have recognized him behind the drums at any of several benefit concerts for FFGW, with the band Rescue Squad! |
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FFGW loves Brittany & Steve as much as Brittany & Steve love cats! We - and all the cats who pass through FFGW's care - are very fortunate to have them!
In coming months, we'll tell you about some of the other incredible volunteer at FFGW - more love stories of people helping kitties! |
| | | | A New Year... Maybe
We sure wish it was 2017, still - life was easier! The word for the current era seems to be "pivot" - we started 2020 with plans for a big gala fundraiser, and pivoted to doing virtual meet-and-greet adoptions. We're glad that we have been able to return to in-store adoptions, and we can't thank enough our volunteers who pivoted with us to keep the rescue operation going in difficult times. We have managed to keep the lights on thanks to some very generous donors, several who made gifts to us in their estate planning, and others who opened their hearts and pocket books when we needed them most.
Thanks to all of you, we adopted 420 cats in 2021, and are ready to go in '22! |
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Check Us Meowt! On Social Media!
Facebook, Insta, Twitter?
We try not to overflow your email inbox, and most months send just one Newsletter with a deep dive into all that's going on at FFGW, and some fun cat-centric stuff - but you can find out all the rescue happenings closer to real time on our social media! (And of course... see a lot more cute kitty pictures!)
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter below!
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Shop & Rescue!
You can shop and also help FFGW at the same time, by making your Amazon purchases through our "smile" link!
Use the button on the left for anything Amazon, select the Feline Foundation of Greater Washington as your designated charity. Your price doesn't change but a percentage of your purchase goes to FFGW!
In 2021 we received over $1000 through the Smile program, which donations were enough to provide 3-4 spays or 5-6 neuters - for an entire litter of kittens!
Thank you!
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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:
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!
This post contains affilliate links. FFGW may be compensated if you buy something after clicking on these links. |
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Adoption Fairs
Leesburg Weekly Fair
Leesburg PetSmart - Every Sunday Noon - 3 pm
Next Event: Sunday February 20
--Midweek Adoptions by Appointment for Cats in the Center--
We need volunteers to help care for the cats at Leesburg! 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 2021: 420 !
Adopted in January (37):
Raine, Whiskers, Gnocchi, Adele LeCompte, Mila, Preston, Ronnie, Gracie, Sally, Gabriel, Merry, Joseph, Caramel, Chrissy, Sugar, Thunder, Juneau, TyTy, Bailey, Sassy, Puma, Yoshi, Shenzie, Hershey/Merlin, Zola, Coconut, Legolas, Mittens, Arwen, KitKat/Arthur, Reese, Nestle, Lucy, Mota, Queenie, Honey
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