By Janet Bennett
In May of this year, Folsom Feline Rescue reached its 6-year anniversary, and we decided to take this opportunity to reflect on the difference we've made over these years.
When we began in May of 2000, there were only two of us and we had a table outside of the Petco store with just a couple of cats for adoption. It was so hot in the middle of summer that we had to take a break because it was too uncomfortable for the cats. We managed to adopt 89 cats over the rest of that year. Now, we number over 30 active volunteers and hold adoptions every weekend at two locations in Folsom. Our adoptions over the last two years have reached 300 each year. Over the span of 6-1/2 years, we've found homes for more than 1,500 cats and kittens! Every one of these adoptions were of course spayed and neutered, so not only did we make pets and families happy, but we also helped control pet overpopulation.
In 2002, we began receiving large fundraising donations from Petco and PetsMart. Because we were already self-sustaining, we decided to give this money back to the community by providing free and low-cost spay/neuter services for cats and dogs. In addition, we began applying for and being awarded several grants over the past 4 years, held our own fundraisers, and received donations through our newsletters. Together, this funding greatly helped to sustain these spay/neuter programs. As a result, we have been able to expand these programs to the greater Sacramento area and assist many more families in financial need. Over these 4 years, we spent over $118,000 and spayed/neutered 2,500 pets and feral cats. These spay/neuter surgeries have resulted in saving hundreds of thousands of lives of kittens and puppies that would have been born and homeless. We are the only local rescue organization to provide spay/neuter services to the community and we're very proud of the difference we've made. We have been asked for advice from other rescue organizations and shelters across the country that also want to have spay/neuter programs.
Our volunteers, adopters, and supporters have been so generous with their time and money and we greatly appreciate everyone's support. These are achievements that we have all contributed to as a community, and we all share in the glory of reaching these amazing goals. As we move into the next year and the one after that, we will strive to continue improving on this progress and look for more ways to make a difference in the lives of the pets in our community.