FFRC BLOG

FFRC Blog Week Ending February 7, 2026

It's almost Valentine's Day.

"Here's to a day filled with love and the people who bring it into our lives. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone." from Womanslogans.com

Here's some pictures that shows the love that our kitties have for each other. They are so cute!

WIBBLES and RAISIN

MARILYN and ALMA

LUCIE and RAMSAY

Adoptions:

There were no adoptions this week.

Intakes:

There were no intakes this week.

Health Updates:

ROCKET is doing better. His buns are healed. He received a couple of drag bags, but unfortunately, they were too big for him. We are trying to exchange these. A custom bag was ordered and is due in anytime. In order to prepare Rocket for the drag bag, we needed to fit him with a collar so that he would be used to having something around his neck. Attempting to put the collar on presented a problem, until Megan came along. Rocket is quite the Momma's boy and let her add it without any problems. He is enjoying the floor time, and look, his fur is growing back!

FINNEY is doing much better. We are getting the expected results from his FIP treatment.

JENNY is doing great. We are seeing improvement in her ringworm condition. She should be out and about soon. Her eyes are looking better but she still will most likely lose one. We were a concerned about Jenny this last week. Her belly seemed a bit large which is a symptom of Wet FIP. We were a bit reluctant to do the Stomach Tap needed to determine her condition but proceeded with three different taps. Each time, the results were negative. Thankfully, we have another chunky gal, just like ANGELIQUE.

MR. ROGERS will be going with JUNIOR to Dr. Darcy's office on 2/10. He will get a through look-over and have blood work done. We are very interested to see what our vet thinks is his actual age. We're still not sure. We do know that he will need some dental work. Mr. Rogers is quite the cuddle bug. Last week when Lynnette was trying to remove some of his hair mats, he wasn't really all that thrilled. He got tired of it pretty quickly; however, right after his brushing he was happy to get a bunch of pets. Next time we try to groom him, we will give him a bit of calming (pain) meds, so he isn't as stressed. Mr. Rogers isn't all that fond of toys; food is his motivator.

JUNIOR is feeling much better. We know that the heart medication is working, because his heartbeat has slowed. He will go to the vet on 2/10 with MR. ROGERS to see if his meds need any adjustments. Don't worry, Momma Megan, he'll soon he helping you keep your desk in order.

Holds:

TIMMY is on hold. His adoption is scheduled on Valentine's Day at 10:00 am. 💖

Timmy will be going home to a friend, so he won't be lonely!

Center Kitties:

ALMA is waiting "patiently" for her next snack. It won't be long before EVERYONE knows that she wants her food NOW!

SCOOT: Peek--boo!

JOAQUIN: Momma Lynnette won't mind if I help myself to these.

Events:

We have started our Valentine's Day Fundraiser. Special Thanks to Mike and Lola and other friends for donating these baskets!

Looks like another great fundraiser!

Also on Friday, 2/13, an FFRC quiz will be held live and on-line in Googledoc. This quiz was put together by Metalbumy. Thanks so much for doing this! Looks to be a fun party day!

Current Needs:

A list is kept up to date on the Amazon Wish List found on the FFRC website. Thank you to all that answered our urgent requests for treats, food and paper & cleaning products. This was much appreciated.

Special Message from Megan (2/2/26):

We booked 110 — yes, ONE HUNDRED AND TEN — low-cost spay and neuter appointments JUST today with Humane Ohio!

And this happens MONTHLY! Wow!

You all are absolutely incredible!

We are beyond grateful to be able to offer this important program to the public and to continue making a real difference in our community.

Here are a few fun (and amazing) facts about Friends of Felines:

We’ve proudly served Defiance County and surrounding areas for over 27 years

We provided 1,000+ spay and neuter surgeries just last year alone

We’ve partnered with Humane Ohio for over 10 years — that’s thousands upon thousands of kittens prevented from entering the population!

We’re supported by 25 dedicated staff and volunteers who show up week after week to ensure the best possible care (and we can always use more volunteers!)

Because of oversight from our wonderful veterinarian, upon intake, we are able to provide medical care immediately. This is why we are so often full. We often take in the injured and broken kitties, because we can treat them the moment they arrive. (What a blessing for the injured kitty!)

Last year, we took 91 cats into our rescue.

In 2025, we’ve adopted out 65 cats.

Our live stream on YouTube has over 51,000 subscribers from around the world (and climbing!) with some 20 moderators from the USA and abroad.

None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you for being part of the solution and for helping us save lives every single day.

Other:

Many thanks to all that have reached out and provided virtual hugs to Kim. It was very appreciated.

Please welcome Alissa. She started on Saturday evening, 2/7, and is training with Shalin.

If you haven't looked at our Instagram page, please do!! There are great pictures of our center's kitties. Thanks so much!

The books are closed and completed. We will be sending out statements to our donors next week. We couldn't do this without you!

We had another very fun Box Day on Tuesday! Food, Cleaning and Paper Products and Toys were received. Carla and Tim in Connecticut sent in a toy that their cat loves. It's called The Sidewinder from MaxPlay Innovations. The cats loved playing with it. Our cats also loved the mesh food covers. They are the perfect size for them to lay in.

The Kitten Lady is coming to Ft. Wayne on March 19. Megan and Team are looking forward to attending the event and learning more about kitten care and also sharing their information on CH cats with her.

Early in the week, Lynnette and Kim S were kept busy putting together adoption bags. Did you know that each cat receives a lovely bag that has food, toys, a blankie and a folder to hold all of their records? There are other fun things included, too.

Since the beginning of the year, all FFRC kitties now receive micro-chips when they are spayed or neutered. The chip info is entered into the Center's software, ShelterLuv, and when the cat is adopted, the info immediately moves under the adopter's name. Megan loves this software, because it is easy to use and is cloud-based with info that can be accessed from anywhere.

FFRC is looking for volunteers. Candidates need to be at least 18 years old and have transportation to get here. Volunteers work set shifts and have assigned tasks, which include cleaning, feeding and other caring for cats. Please contact Megan if you would like to help.

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.

The Link in the FFRC website to view Cats Available is now working. In early December, PetFinder made an update to their software which caused this to stop working. Yeah, we're glad it's back!

2026 Calendars are now available and are being offered in two sizes: 8 1/2 x 12 or 8 1/2 x 14. Orders for calendars will be through the FFRC Store and also on the FFRC website. We are unable to take orders via the phone or e-mail. I've received mine, how about you?

Photos by Dawn and friends.

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"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love."

Maya Angelou

"Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do."

David Wilkerson

FFRC Blog Week Ending January 31, 2026

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!! We don't need anymore! But guess what, more is falling again!

"There's snow way I am leaving the house today." from Homemade Gifts Made Easy

Adoptions:

There were no adoptions this week.

Intakes:

There were no intakes this week.

Health Updates:

ROCKET went to Dr. Darcy's office on Tuesday, 1/27, with the expectation that the remaining tip of his tail would be removed because he has sores on it and on his hip. After examining his tail, the vet determined that because removal of the tip would be too close to the nerve bundle that helps with bodily functions, it would be left. We are hoping that a medical regime will help heal his wounds. Rocket is on cage rest until these issues clear up, with a little bit of floor time. Otherwise, he is a happy boy and is very playful. What a great attitude, but he's spoiled rotten! He is a brat, but he's OUR brat and we love him.

FINNEY appears to have a recurrence of FIP. We noticed that something was a bit off with him. We have him in Back Thumpers Room now and have started him on meds again. The plan is to put him in his pen an hour before he is given meds and then have him stay in his pen for an hour before letting him out of the pen. This will occur twice each day. The pen time is in order to withhold food and help the medication do its job. This becomes a multi-person task, because treatments cannot be missed. Last Tuesday it didn't appear that the meds were doing the job; however, we have to learn to be patient, because they now seem to be working. He has gained weight and is doing better. Finney is eating, drinking and having solid poos. He is still just a playful as normal, just doesn't like his meds or his pen time.

JENNY is doing great. She will need to have her one eye removed, but her other eye is healing. It will most likely always look a bit cloudy, but she does have sight in the eye. Unfortunately, she has now developed ringworm. We have withheld treatment for that, because those meds will lower her immune system which is detrimental to clearing her eye infection. Now that the eye issue is mostly cleared, we will begin the 21-day treatment for ringworm. Jenny is a very happy girl and can't wait to get out of her quarantine condo.

MR. ROGERS is our new grumpy old man. Not really, he's a doll-baby! He is learning to gain trust with humans again, because people have let him down. He appears to have had a rough life. He is nervous and shy, but very sweet. He will growl and grumble and then head butt to get his pets. He's still a bit of a ragamuffin but is looking much better. He has only gained an ounce since he's been with us, but he loves to eat, so we expect his weight to increase in time. Dr. Darcy said that this is not unusual because he was severely emaciated. He wasn't feeling all that great towards the end of the week. He had a bit of a yucky stomach. We think it was due to the antibiotics he was on. He no longer is taking this med, so is feeling better. Mr. Rogers will be going to see Dr. Darcy when Junior goes back for his check-up. We still aren't sure how old he is. We are guessing him to be around 7 years old. Who doesn't love an old man?

JUNIOR, one of the office kitties, has not been feeling well recently. He came to FFRC with his brother, SMOKEY, when our former Mod, Mighty Kat, passed. Junior went to see Dr. Darcy for a check-up and bloodwork. His thyroid issue is under control with meds, but he does have high blood pressure and maybe a heart issue. He will be going back to have another check-up in a couple of weeks. He is in good spirits and meds seem to be helping. Junior loves to lay on the desks and keyboards and generally make himself useful helping in all of the office computer work.

SMOKEY also saw Dr. Darcy on 1/26. This was for a check-up and dental work. He had 2 large back teeth and 6 of his itty-bitty teeth removed. He was a bit groggy but is doing fine. Smokey enjoys laying in the window beds in the office. He is a gentle old man.

Holds:

TIMMY is on hold, YEAH! More details to follow.

We have another approved adopter, but the kitty has not yet been selected/confirmed.

Center Kitties:

RAISIN and WIBBLES are running rampant in the main room and LOVE snackies. They are now about 3 months old.

This is RAISIN:

This is WIBBLES:

JELLY says, "What happens if I pull this?"

ELM: I'm a panther, watch me ROAR!

TACO BELLE is waiting patiently for one of her human servants.

Events:

Although there was no formal event this week, the snow took over the center. Our friend, Ros, captured some kitties appreciating the snow in the warmth in the main room.

Current Needs:

A list is kept up to date on the Amazon Wish List found on the FFRC website. The center is critically low on 6" foam plates, Lavender scented Odoban, Royal Canin Mother and Baby Cat Dry, Delectables, Bisques, Stews and Disinfecting Cleaning Wipes.

Other Updates:

Weather Update: This last week was a challenge for FFRC. The large amount of snow that was received caused some of our staff not to be able to get to us. Big shout out to those that were able to make it in and covered many additional shifts. Mary "Braids" has covered multiple shifts per day, and others have helped cover her shifts (Gem, Debbie, etc.). Cecilia sent in enough chocolate to put Mary in a coma! Thanks, it was very appreciated. Laura, Cindy, Vanessa, Shalin, Ella, Lynnette and Megan have also been working a lot. Sorry if I missed anyone. Oh Yeah, and it's really cold! BRRRRR

Non-weather staff issues also occurred last week. Denise was unable to make it in due to snow last Monday. Then on Tuesday, her husband's hip popped out of the socket. OUCH! She had to stay home to help him. Kim was ill on Monday and sadly she lost her father on Thursday. Please send her your hugs during this time. She will be out until next Thursday.

Will the groundhog see his shadow on Monday? Here's hoping for a shorter winter!!

Lynnette, Megan and Debbie have been extremely busy with getting the books ready to close out last year. This has caused a backlog in us replying to e-mails, opening mail and even answering the call of nature. HURRAY!! the books are done--just in time.

EagleWatcher (Beth) sent in a much-appreciated donation so that lunches could be supplied for the staff.

The camera box in the Kabana is not working out as well as we thought. We have a few kitties who make it their purpose in life to rearrange the view to their liking. We aren't gonna name any names, but Buehler seems to be a likely candidate. He is very intense!

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.

The Link in the FFRC website to view Cats Available is now working. In early December, PetFinder made an update to their software which caused this to stop working. Yeah, we're glad it's back!

Photos by Dawn and friends.

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"Advise is like the snow. The softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the mind."

Samuel Tayler Coleridge

"To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold."

Aristotle