TRAP NEUTER rETURN (TNR) AID

In the last three years alone…FOCA’S TNR (trap, neuter, return) has spayed/neutered over 1,500 cats at our  expense. Sounds like a lot, but it’s probably helped more than you realize. The reason is each unfixed cat can produce about 100 cats in their lifetime. That’s at least 150,000 cats FOCA prevented in communities, suburbs and city streets in our area. Residents have a source they can turn to when managing their outdoor colonies they can’t find elsewhere in Monroe. 

HOMEOWNERS AND NEIGHBORHOODS

So, you might ask, ‘What does all of this have to do with people?’ Well, quite a bit actually. The reason is each one of these 1500 cats we fixed are tied to, at the very least, a single human. More often than naught though, several people are taking care of these feral felines so TNR has helped thousands of homeowners through several county neighborhoods…

1. Getting these cats fixed reduces the burden on the good-natured neighbors who are trying to care for them.
2. It alleviated the overpopulation which can become a burden real fast, especially for people who want to do the right thing but can’t afford it. Quite often two cats become twenty or more in less than a year if spay/neuter is not addressed.
3. FOCA helps those people keep colonies under control, either by doing the work themselves, providing feed food if available, and/or giving the people the tools they need to borrow like traps. FOCA will even do training with the public on how to get them captured for surgery and where they can go. But it’s not just about the ferals at FOCA. Friendlies have their place and that’s with adopters…

ADOPTERS

Additionally, in those three years of fixing community cats, we’ve adopted out over 1,300 stray and surrendered cats into forever homes. However, it’s not just those 1300 adopters who finds joy. It can also include their spouse, children, friends or extended families. After all, who doesn’t love a new ‘grand-kitten’ to spoil? What this means is FOCA’s made a difference in thousands upon thousands of lives by giving companionship to individuals and families. By the way…always consider adopting in pairs, especially kittens, because most cats (not all) enjoy the companionship of other felines. Not only are you saving more lives with two or more, you’ll find it’s quite entertaining and enriching to have a pair of kitties. 

FILLING A LARGE VOID

Now some might say, ‘We already have animal organizations in Monroe’. That’s true, and they work hard like FOCA too…

• State records for 2023 shows Monroe County Animal Control took in 157 cats.
• The Humane Society of Monroe County took in 190 in that same time frame.
• FOCA did even more of them combined. They took in 443 and 366 of them found forever homes in 2023.

This shows how desperately important FOCA is to the people of Monroe. Without us, well, we don’t like to think of Monroe without us. Our point is funding FOCA helps fill that void. We are often the first expert source that helps our community with feline issues. So while it’s not a numbers game, the number of animals helped makes a difference to countless people in our community Yes, FOCA is a home for displaced cats until they find their forever home since we’re a no kill shelter. But it’s more than that, it’s a place that benefit both the cats AND the humans helping them.

VOLUNTEERISM & IMPROVING OUR SOCIETY

FOCA requires volunteers 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even while people are egg hunting, cooking out or unwrapping holiday presents, FOCA volunteers are there making sure the cats are cared for and loved. But there are others in the community who come to FOCA to lend a hand. These community members include, but aren’t limited to…

• JUVENILE ORGANIZATIONS
Girl Scouts, National Honor Society Members, 4H clubs, etc.
FOCA provides volunteerism to several juvenile groups. This program shows these children and young adults how their work and compassion can ‘make a difference’ in the world.
• SPECIAL NEEDS PEOPLE
Monroe County Intermediate School District
Monroe County Intermediate School District works each week with special needs children and young adults. They visit the shelter and care for the animals, which gives them joy and sense of purpose.
• COMMUNITY SERVICE
Those in need of performing court mandated community service through JAWS (Jail Alternative Work Services) for non-violent offenses turn to FOCA to fulfill their sentence and help the animals. They come because of a misdeed but often leave feeling better about themselves. In fact, some stay volunteers stay after their time because they love the work and find it rewarding.

In some ways, you could say…it’s FREE THERAPY…and you’d be right. FOCA volunteers, no matter how they come, find the work encouraging, empowering, and purposeful. And who doesn’t benefit from the unconditional love that an animal provides.

other non-profits

Additionally, although a non-profit themselves, FOCA give back to the community by working with other non-profit organizations like:

• The OAKS of Righteousness
• MCOP Food Banks
• Mary’s Spirit of Giving
• Food RX in Temperance

With these organizations we might network with other rescues for food and supplies. When FOCA has an abundance, we share. Rather than have pet food expire on the shelf we send it to the local community so it doesn’t get wasted but most important, it helps people provide for their pets so families can stay together.  Animal companionship provides comfort in hard times. FOCA’s food donations to these organizations can keep felines with their families at home.