FFRC BLOG: May 2025

FFRC Blog week ending May 25, 2025

Adoptions:

Spitfire: Our Spitfire got his very own home! This tough little survivor came to us on October 8, 2024. He was only a few weeks old. He was found by himself, in the woods. He is traveling to his new home in South Carolina. He'll have a brother named Oreo and his new family would like to honor their grandfather by naming him Pepper, their grandfather’s nickname.

Amy: This one brings many smiles and many tears, but our tears are all happy tears! Our little Amy has a home!

This little girl was found by a nice family while they were outside. Amy was very tiny and was with two equally tiny brothers, Eric and Popsicle. All three were with their mom, Wispy. The family that found them, realized two of the babies were struggling and needed help. So they were able to get the whole family to FFRC. Her new Dad isn’t sure if he’ll keep the name Amy, he’ll see her personality and see what makes sense for her.

Maverick: He’s been waiting patiently and now, he has his forever home! Maverick got adopted!

This little boy came in with his brother (Ridley) last July, 2024 when they were just 3 months old. They had been brought in to have a neuter done from the monthly Humane Ohio truck transport and at the Vet’s the vet determined they were too sick to undergo the procedure. So FFRC agreed to take the two and the healing process began. It’s amazing what good care and proper medicine can do! His birthday is April 14, 2024, so he’s now just over a year old. And he is simply the most lovable boy with such a fun personality. Since the name Maverick fits him perfectly, he’s going to keep his name! And he’ll be going home to a sister! Myra was adopted from FFRC in 2018 and now M&M can become siblings and BFF’s.

Spark: Her path to a home may have had some speed bumps along the way, but our Spark has herself an actual home, with a loving family! Dumped on our property with her sister, Noelle, Spark had wedged herself under/in Megan’s car and needed the whole team to free her. Spark will be going home to a former FFRC kitty who just turned one year old a few weeks ago. Snooks (now Snook/Snooky) was adopted last September. So they are both around the same age and get to grow up together. Spark will now be Sparkle Joy.

New Cats:

Tiny, black and ash colored infant was found in the middle of the road by himself/herself (gender TBD). He/she is believed to be about 10 days old and is being bottle fed.

Health Updates:

Kim Kitty took a bit of a tumble this week and landed awkwardly. She only fell a few feet but didn’t quite nail the landing. She was limping a bit but after a day or so was fine. We’ve been monitoring her to make sure all is well, and it appears to be all well.

Holds:

Ridley. We believe he will go home on June 6th. Time TBD.

Other Updates:

The three abandoned cats on the property cats from last week, now have names.

Dusty Rose is the calico girl.

Joaquin is the gray male.

Ludwig is the black and white male.

All three are believed to be 1 and half years old. Each continues to receive medical treatment for their conditions when found. Because the boys are not yet neutered and Dusty Rose is not yet spayed, we are keeping them all separate until we can get them ‘fixed’.

We’ve moved a lot of cats around the center this week to help balance out some overcrowded rooms.

Macaroni is now in the Main Center and appears to be handling that well.

Zoolove is having some trouble adjusting to her new environment so she’s now in June’s room where she has more space to move around and get more used to a bigger space.

Happy is now in Nyota’s room. Happy is 15 and is really having trouble adjusting to having so many cats and noises. We’ve moved her to Nyota’s room where the cats there are like a retirement home: low key, quiet and chill. She appears to be doing well there, so far. In fact, Nyota jumped right down and greeted her and touched noses, sniffing one another and went about their business of enjoying the perks of aging in quiet surroundings.

Sinopa and her babies are doing well and have been moved to a larger condo. Sinopa can sense they should be more independent and is encouraging them to explore as only a mother can “go and play out there, momma needs some sleep.”

Baby Jelly appears to have had a minor seizure this week. After talking to Dr. Darcy, we believe she has a vestibular incident (which is similar to an ear infection). She is now doing well after being given some medication. She does now have a minor head tilt, but we are hoping that will go away in time.

Megan will be on vacation this week. She’ll be missed, but the cats already have a party planned each day, complete with chicken and treats.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” — Unknown

Sazaz

FFRC Blog week ending May 17, 2025

Adoptions:

None.

New Cats:

These are the stories that make you so mad, but remember the people responsible do not deserve our energy, the cats need our energy and good thoughts to be focused on them. On Thursday we had our monthly Humane Ohio Day and a woman was dropping off her kitty to be spayed. Bless her heart and eyesight, she noticed on her way out of the driveway that there was a crate outside the window near Kitty Kabanna. This was at 5:30 in the morning. The woman saw there was movement in the crate and saw at least two adult cats. She told Debbie who got the crate. Inside were three cats in a small sized crate. These cats are not in healthy condition but are friendly.

A gray and white un-neutered male (about a year and half old). Possible herpes infection, eyes very ‘junky’, URI, ear mites, fleas. (he’s actually the healthiest of the three).

A black and white un-neutered male (he is about a year and half old.) ear mites, fleas and horrible herpes virus. One of his eyes will probably have to be removed (there are no signs of sight in that eye and the eyeball is badly infected). The other eye is also infected but may be salvageable.

The last one is a calico female. She does not appear to be spayed. At this point, we aren’t sure how old she is but think it may be around the same age as the other two. Her teeth are some of the worst teeth we’ve seen. There are layers and layers of tarter buildup making it almost impossible to see how she could eat without pain. Her entire mouth is inflamed and is, quite honestly, one of the worst mouths we’ve ever seen. She has fleas and ear mites. She is the sickest of the three. Her mouth is so bad that she may have cancer or something else going on. Under her tongue appears to be masses. She may also have periodontal disease. We have her on some pretty strong meds.

Despite their situation, they all appear to be ‘happy’ to be finally free of whatever their lives were like. They are playing a little and relaxing.

Health Updates:
Sinopa’s test results came back and she does NOT have FIP. She did have a very strong virus but is now doing so much better. She does have a bit of an inflamed bowel, but that is being treated. Since she and the babies have all tested negative for FIP and showing no more signs of the virus, we have put her babies back in with her. Sadly, before we did, one of her babies (we had named her Flower) had passed. This was a case of ‘failure to thrive’. We named her ‘Flower’. And like some flowers, she bloomed for only a short time, but her time was a beautiful reminder of how precious life is. Just before she passed, we knew it would not be long and she was put in with her momma who seemed to know she was passing and hugged her close.

When her babies were put back with Sinopa, she recognized them immediately and began licking them and loving on them. She is no longer capable of nursing, but a mother cat can teach the young so much about cleaning and playing and well, being a cat. They are not yet eating on their own, so we continue to hand feed them, but we believe sometime next week they will be eating food (gruel and things).

And her babies now all have names:

The boys:

Marvin is a gray kitty and the smallest of the babies

Fonzie is also a gray kitty.

BB Tank is the largest kitten and he is brown

The girl:

Jelly is a brown tiger with a dark face

And the two babies we will always hold in our memories and hearts: Baby Bear and Flower.

All the cats that had the virus are virus free and slowly will be making their way into the Main Center. Some will take a while as they get acclimated to their new environment. All the prior sick cats are gaining weight and getting back to being healthy cats. Popsicle came out to say hi to the cam and he insisted on being put on the floor and he and Eric immediately started to play.

Holds:

Spitfire will be adopted sometime this week. (TBD)

Other Updates:
We have a new staff member, Vanessa. She will be taking the shifts that Carmine had and she’ll be filling in some early mornings. Welcome Vanessa!

Heinz and Jacci (the cat) are now reunited and we didn’t realize just how bonded these two are, but now it is clearly on display that they are inseparable. They constantly groom and rub each other. They are truly best friends and we will ensure they are adopted together.

In the coming weeks we will have information regarding our biggest fundraiser of the year (the Improve-A-Thon). So stay tuned.

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“Some people talk to animals, not many listen though. That’s the problem”. -- Winnie the Pooh

Sinopa reunited with her babies. She's not letting go!

FFRC Blog week ending May 10, 2025

Adoptions:

None.

New Cats:

None

Health Updates:
The sick cats:

Sinopa’s babies are doing much better. The ‘dark brown’ baby has been the sickest and he is finally taking in food (via syringe). Earlier in the week, this was very difficult and now he appears to be turning a corner. Remember these babies are all less than a month old and at that age, fighting a virus can be very challenging. We are cautiously optimistic but know, they are still very tiny and susceptible to everything.

Sinopa herself is doing much better. We are still waiting for her tissue samples’ results to come back, but Sinopa is eating and drinking well. While she did test positive for FIP since the test for FIP is not definitive, we do need to wait until the tissue samples come back. She looks better and appears to be feeling much better. We still have the babies separated from mom until a definitive diagnosis comes in.

Heinze, Macaroni and Pickles are doing so much better and eating normally.

Popsicle went up to the Vet for more blood work and it showed his levels are now showing he definitely does NOT have FIP. The tests do show he had high blood count levels which indicate he was fighting a very strong virus. He did spend the night at the Vet’s only because he can be a little rambunctious and needed a minor sedative to take blood and everyone agreed staying at the vet overnight would allow him to get a good night’s sleep. He is back at FFRC now.

All the ‘sick’ cats are on their final meds and doing better.. All indications are that they all had a ‘nasty’ virus. A virus can have different ‘levels’ and it appears that Sinopa and Popsicle had the worst of it. Out of an abundance of caution, we are continuing keeping them from the Main Center to ensure there are no lingering effects.

Prince went to the vet for his pin removal (remember, he was adopted but still under a Vet’s care.) Dr. Darcy said his leg is now totally healed.

Holds:

TBD

Other Updates:

Once again, the outpouring of love, support and prayers has humbled us all. The past few weeks have been very hard on all the staff, volunteers and of course the cats. We also know it has been hard for all our Friends, feeling helpless. But everyone has helped, especially with your prayers. We have also received a tremendous amount of support financially, and in boxes sent. We have received much needed cleaning supplies and disinfecting supplies. Thank you all for all you do and for your words of encouragement as we have gone through this trying time period.

“Tearing down is so very easy and lazy. Building up requires strength, courage and commitment. Believe in yourself to rise up and have the strength to help others join you.”

Spitfire, looking so handsome.

FFRC Blog week ending May 3, 2025

Note: The blog this week has many moving parts and info is subject to change quickly. The info listed is as of the posting of the blog.

Adoptions:

None.

New Cats:

Sazaz and Pinkie. Both were formally adopted from FFRC a few years ago. Sazaz is 5 years old and an orange girl. Pinkie is 4 and a gray girl. Both are healthy (some fleas and mites).

Happy is a 15 year old brown kitty who was brought in for peeing outside of the box. She was originally adopted from FFRC around 2010 or 2011.

Foxy was returned. Foxy has had numerous medical issues her whole life. Foxy is almost 10 and a torti. She is very sickly and we are still evaluating her.

Health Updates:

Momma Sinopa hasn’t been feeling well. We made the decision to pull the babies from her for her health and her babies health. We needed to start her on some very strong meds that are not suitable for a nursing mom. We are now bottle feeding her babies every few hours.

Sinopa’s temperature has been fluctuating, going up (to dangerous levels), then going down. We’ve been in constant contact with our vet as well as Jacci M. We brought her up to Dr. Darcy’s office (note: Dr. Darcy is on vacation but has been in constant contact with us via phone.) She had blood work done and there are strong indications based on the blood work that she has FIP. This is not a definite diagnosis but a probable one. We don’t yet know what this means for her babies, we are watching them very closely and are praying for them. FIP itself is not contagious, however nursing babies is still a cloudy area.

Also, keep in mind there is no set test for FIP. There are a series of blood work tests and a need to eliminate other possibilities. It could be a virus.

While everything known about FIP says it is not contagious, there are several cats showing symptoms of possible FIP. They are: Heinz, Pickles, Macaroni and Popsicle. None have been given a definite diagnosis of FIP. While we all know there is a successful treatment for FIP, it is still not a guarantee of success. Each of the cats showing symptoms have been isolated from other cats.

When making decisions on medical care, we do what is in the best interest of the cats. But please keep this in mind: Treating for FIP (Teddy being the most recent example) costs between $1,500 and $2,000 (that is the medicine and blood work monitoring). If you are in a position to help with our medical needs, please consider donating

https://www.fofrescue.org/ways-to-help/

The following is an update posted by chat Moderator Joe on Sunday morning:

“Here is a little update on the babies!!

All the hand fed babies Have gained weight

Macaroni, pickles,Heinz are eating and improving .

I can also let you know that Sinopa seems to have improved !!. (But not out of the woods yet.) But holding out for improvements little steps at a time. Popsicle has a normal temperature and he too has been eating and wanting to play.”

Cat Jacci is doing well. Ali and Lilo are starting to eat on their own (gruel) and doing well. They are with Debbie to keep them safe. They are both gaining weight and happy.

Holds:

Jefferson -- TBD

Other Updates:

“The world is full of kind people, if you can’t find one, be one.”

Urgent needs:

Financial assistance with medical treatments

Hydrocare for cats veterinary supplement Purina One

Odoban (Walmart now carries)
Disinfecting Bleach

Disinfecting wipes

Chicken baby food

Continued support and encouragement

Kitty Jacci