FFRC Blog Week Ending September 19, 2026
We wrapped up Chatters Weekend on 9/13 with Coffee and Doughnuts sponsored by Timbit and SonJa!
We chatted throughout the morning and slowly and sadly, many of us started for home. We take with us wonderful memories and newfound friendships.
Megan's husband, Eric, took GIZMO for a walk on his new chain. A big chain for a big doggy!
Adoptions:
On Monday, 9/14, we said "Home Sweet Home" to our sweet WILLOW. Her date of birth is 3/16/26. On 3/26/26, at only 10-days old, a woman had found her in her yard--she waited a day and no momma cat ever showed up. After arriving at FFRC, Willow was bottle fed, along with LEMON. Willow's new home is about 45 minutes away. She will share her new home with a 3-year-old kitty that is the Household Greeter! Willow will be keeping her name.
We have a lot of applications that we are reviewing, so look for more holds and adoptions soon!
Center Kitties:
Our Friend RITA:
Earlier this year I took a fall in the ice (February). It
led to a blood clot that was treated in the hospital. During one of my tests
while in the hospital a fairly large tumor was discovered on my liver. A biopsy
showed it was cancerous and had progressed significantly.
A trip to a Boston hospital confirmed that due to a
preexisting lung issue, I was not a candidate for surgery.
I’ve been undergoing a series of treatments
(chemo/immunotherapy) which has taken a toll on me in ways I could not have
imagined. I’ve remained upbeat and positive but am also a realistic person.
I’ve been on oxygen for five years now after having been
diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2019. At the time I was told I
probably was looking at 2 to 3 years of, well, life. It’s 2025 and I’m still
here.
Some of you may not know this, but I lived in the Ground Zero area of downtown New York from 1998 to 2007 (John Street). I have been told by several specialists that my exposure to the toxic air at the Ground Zero area for several years while the area was cleared could have greatly contributed to my breathing issues.
While I will never know if my lung issues and cancer are related to my exposure to the toxins in the area at the WTC site, people can draw their own conclusions.
Be well my friends, be well. And please never forget that some wounds can be seen, so many more cannot.
You are never alone. Your fight is a fight we all take up,
and some of us need to do it privately. Strength comes from hope for a better
tomorrow. Strength comes with peace.
Remembering Rita 
It’s hard to believe that one year has passed since we lost our dear friend, Rita.
Rita was so much more than a supporter of FFRC. She was part of our family. She believed deeply in what we do, loved our kitties, and gave so much of herself to this rescue and to all of us.
Many of you knew Rita as the wonderful writer behind our FFRC blog. But calling her our “blog writer” hardly seems enough. Rita had a gift. She could take an ordinary day at the rescue—a silly kitty moment, an adoption, a goodbye, or one of the countless little things that happen here—and turn it into a story that made you laugh, cry, and feel like you were right here with us.
She told our stories.
Through her words, she captured the heart of FFRC: the cats, the people, the love, the heartbreak, the laughter, and the hope. Those stories are now an incredible gift she left behind for all of us.
A year later, Rita is still missed. There are still moments when we wish we could tell her something, hear what she would have to say, or read one more story written in that special way only Rita could write.
But we are so very grateful that she was part of our lives and part of FFRC.
Rita, you may no longer be here to write our stories, but you will forever be part of ours. 
We miss you, our friend. We remember you. And we always will.
Current Needs:
Below are the links to the most recent needs:
Lots of SNACKERS---this info from Dagda!!!! He says this every day!
AUGUST AT FFRC — BY THE NUMBERS! 
THE KITTIES
143 cats in our care
22 amazing staff & volunteers helping care for them 9 new cats welcomed into FFRC
4 adoptions — 4 kitties who found their families!
MEDICAL CARE
99 public spays & neuters — helping prevent hundreds and hundreds of future unwanted kittens
941 medical treatments — including flea treatments, de-wormers, antibiotics and more
46 vaccines given
13 FIV/FeLV/Heartworm blood tests performed right here at FFRC
1 amputation
1 outside veterinary visit
THE EVERYDAY STUFF
400 nails trimmed by Mary & Dawn!
93 times the floors were mopped
155 loads of laundry!We will hold another Flash Sale after our Chatters weekend. Look for a notification soon!!
Ros hosted a birthday party honoring all that have a September Birthday! We all brought snacks to share!
Volunteer and Staff party will be on 11/14.
Kitty Christmas will be 12/5. We will start taking Kitty Christmas donations the first of November.
2027 Chatters Weekend will be 9/11 and 9/12/27.
Make your plans now for all of the upcoming special events!
Other:
Humane Ohio was on 9/15. We sent 29 females and 26 males, including our own, DIEGO, IVA and SNEAKERS.
TIMBIT and FEISTY will return to FFRC on Monday! They are eating regular kitty food now. Having them at the rescue, instead of at Megan's house, will make Megan's life much easier!
If you haven't looked at our Instagram page, please do!! There are great pictures of our center's kitties. Thanks so much! Instagram: https://instagram.com/ffrckittycam
Please make sure that you have a plan for your pets in the event that you are no longer able to take care of them. The best plan is to have both a primary and a secondary backup.
Photos by Dawn and friends.
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Barbara Bush
Jane Taylor
Helen Keller
