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Editorial
Cats Unlimited was responsible for spaying and neutering more than 8,000 cats in the Rockbridge area during the past 20 years. Their efforts likely prevented the proliferation of perhaps hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats. The organization recently discontinued its services but others are stepping into the fray to see that the stray and feral cat population remains under control.
Furever Friends Lodge, a Buena Vista-based cat advocacy organization directed by Mary Huffman, is broadening its mission of caring for stray and feral cats and finding homes for them to include low-cost spaying and neutering services. Furever Friends made an announcement about these expanded services last week, noting that it’s seeking to “continue the good work of Cats Unlimited in Rockbridge County.”
Huffman said Furever Friends is “starting a low-cost cat spay and neuter program to help with the many community cats and for lower income citizens to get their cats spayed or neutered at local vets.”
Two local veterinary clinics, Animal Clinic of Rockbridge and WellPet, have agreed to participate in this endeavor, known as “Spay & Neuter Your Furever Cat Friends.” Additional area veterinarians are being sought out to take part in offering low-cost spaying and neutering services.
“It really is beneficial to all to keep this great program going for our community,” said Huffman of Cats Unlimited’s long-time commitment to this vital service.
Five individuals who volunteer for Furever Friends have agreed to rotate on a weekly basis to receive phone calls from those in need with this service. To access this service, call (540) 460-8229 and leave a message. One of the volunteer receivers will call back as quickly as possible. Callers are asked to not call after 8 p.m. or Saturdays, Sundays or holiday evenings.
“We ask that each caller please be patient; we are trying our best to help control the outbreak of cats having kittens and worse, kittens having kittens, in Rockbridge County,” said Huffman.
Each volunteer receiver has a limited number of approvals for each week they are on duty. Financial assistance from the community would allow Furever Friends to increase the number of approvals. “We are asking for financial help so that we may approve more cat help,” said Huffman. “We will be doing several fundraisers during the year, starting with a ‘Go Fund Me’ on our new Facebook page called Spay & Neuter Your Furever Friend.”
Donations can be made directly to the organization’s Venmo account, Mary@ fureverfriends2020, or Paypal account, [email protected]. Or, donations can be mailed to Furever Friends, 2463 Beech Ave., Buena Vista, Va. 24416 Grants are being sought to augment the fundraising efforts. “We want to be able to help as many people as we can to get their cats and the community cats around them spayed or neutered, before winter if we can,” said Huffman. “We are also looking for large old coolers, Styrofoam or the regular kind, that we can make winter cat houses again this summer,” she continued. “If anyone has a cooler or coolers to donate, they can always leave them on the front porch of our office at 2463 Beech Ave., Buena Vista.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member of this volunteer organization or who would like to foster a cat or kitten can inquire by email at [email protected].
Huffman said she is in the process of fixing up space at her business office for a cat shelter that was recently approved by Buena Vista City Council. “It’s been a busy spring,” she remarked, referring to the number of cats for which she has found foster homes. “They’re only so many we can find homes for. Without spaying and neutering, we would lose what we’ve done for 20 years.”
