Topic: Feral & Stray Foundation News and Updates... (Read 13361 times)

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #46 on:** November 11, 2016, 22:11:42 PM »

tHANKS FOR THE UPDATE lIZ AND SO PLEASED YOU ARE STILL UP AND RUNNING

SOUNDS LIKE LOADS OF GOOD WORK IS BEING DONE AND ALSO THANKS FOR THE LINK.

DONT HAVE MUCH tIME TO GET ON FB AND HAVE AN OLD NEW LAPPY NOW AND LOST ALL MY LINKS COS SEE I ALREADY LIKE YOUR PAGE, HAVE PUT IT BACK IN MY FAVS.............................AMONGST ALL THE OTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #45 on:** November 10, 2016, 12:15:57 PM »

Hi everyone,

Firstly, I have to apologise for not updating more often about the Feral & Stray Foundation. I'm still going strong, although I have such limited time to try and remember to do things, like updates! Sorry.

https://www.facebook.com/Feral-Stray-Foundation-144880882317321/

I stopped renewing the website, as I personally thought what it cost to keep that running, the funds could be spent much more wisely helping cats. So, the link above is for the Facebook page, which is a very active page with 1000+ members.

The foundation continues to help small groups and individuals with feral colonies, and pays towards neutering, emergency costs, basic treatment etc. One of the individuals I help is White Rose Cat Welfare, a one-woman charity who is working with so many feral cats it's unreal

Another girl I help regularly is in Dewsbury, and the Foundation helps by giving advice, financial support if needed, and I send flea treatment for the many cats she feeds and neuters. I also have an account with a local vets who neuter stray and unwanted cats before rehoming, and the charge me very low prices for neutering.

I've shared lots of kittens and cats needing homes, and many of those have been elderly who, through sharing on the foundation page, have got a lovely home for their retirement.

Sadly, the problem of unwanted cats and overpopulation is not changing, so all I can do is raise awareness and try to help those in need, many of which are individuals trying to help feral cats.

My other half and I have also started a Facebook fundraising page, and the first print available is helping 2 cat charities: White Rose Cats and Greek Cat Welfare. All proceeds from the sale of 'The Pumpkin Patch' will be split between these 2 charities, and we will continue to do new prints which help as many organisations as possible, both domestic and wildlife.

https://www.facebook.com/VicBearcroftArtforAnimals/

Sorry again for the lack of updates - life is pretty crazy with work, my own gang, and the foundation, but I will try to update more regularly, and please visit the Facebook page for more updates and info.

Thanks everyone,

Liz xx

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #44 on:** December 28, 2015, 09:28:05 AM »

Maybe if you don't have a Facebook account, you can't access the page? Not totally sure, but maybe you have to be logged into Facebook to see the page...

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #43 on:** December 27, 2015, 21:12:48 PM »

Doesn't for me I'm afraid. Maybe it's something to do with me not being a Facebook user.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #42 on:** December 27, 2015, 15:37:49 PM »

Yes the link works and what a great bpage, thank you

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #41 on:** December 27, 2015, 13:53:40 PM »

https://www.facebook.com/Feral-Stray-Foundation-144880882317321/?ref=hl

Hope this works! A link to the foundation's Facebook page.

Liz :-) xx

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #40 on:** December 20, 2015, 13:15:44 PM »

Sounds like you've been busy!

As Gill says, it's lovely to have an update - so pleased that Purrs has been able to help in a small way

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #39 on:** December 19, 2015, 14:24:55 PM »

Thank you Liz for the update and just wonderful how much you are acheiving and so pleased our humble offering has really helped

Please will you put up a link to your FB page

Its so nice to have a great update cos it makes all the auction work worthwhile and also all those who have draw tickets know that their money is going to a great cause.

Thank you so much and a very Happy Christmas to you and lots mor success in 2016

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #38 on:** December 19, 2015, 13:03:21 PM »

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've managed to post, but wanted to update everyone on the Feral & Stray Foundation Neutering Scheme.

The neutering scheme is still going strong, and thanks to open day donations from Sutterton Vets near Boston, Lincs, who do cost price neutering for ferals and strays, along with individual donations and the draws on the Purrs forum, the fund is still healthy, meaning I can continue to help out with neutering, work with vets for stray and feral cats coming through their practice, and work with individuals trapping and neutering by offering financial support.

I've been working with one lady who had a fair sized colony in Lincolnshire, and she has been religiously trapping and neutering cats, along with socialising and rehoming young kittens from the colony. The foundation has paid to neuter 29 males and 15 females through 2015 for this colony alone. I've also paid for cost price neutering for the stray and unwanted kittens and cats coming through the same vets, and made sure they're chipped before rehoming. A massive thank you to Sutterton Vets for their ongoing support.

I've also been contacted from other individuals and practices, and have paid for further neutering, along with blood tests & basic treatment etc before a cat has been rehomed.

In 2016, I plan on contacting more practices about the cost-price scheme for ferals.

The foundation has helped rehome domestic cats, and has assisted in placing several feral cats into farms for pest control, and I am being contacted often by people wanting to take feral cats for this reason.

None of this would be possible had the wonderful people at Purrs not chosen the foundation to receive the Christmas funds a couple of years ago, so once again, thank you so much for your kindness and support.

I will try to update more regularly, and if anyone knows of feral/stray cats in need or neutering, please contact me on the Facebook page.

Thanks again everyone!

Have a fantastic Christmas.

Liz xx

maryas · « **Reply #37 on:** November 05, 2014, 23:27:39 PM »

Fantastic work you are doing Liz, so proud of you and glad that my small part in last years Auction is helping. Every little helps as they say

Lovely to hear what the money is helping you to do.

Mary

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #36 on:** November 04, 2014, 17:48:02 PM »

Lovely update and the auction money going to a good cause.

Timing is purfect with the auction 2014 coming up

keep us uptodate with the good work you are doing

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #35 on:** November 04, 2014, 16:33:32 PM »

Hi all,

I just wanted to update you of what the Feral & Stray Foundation is up to.

The Foundation is thrilled to be working alongside Lincs Ark and Sutterton vets with the neutering clinics! The volunteers at Lincs Ark got in contact about a large feral colony near Boston, Lincolnshire, which need neutering to stem and eventually reduce the numbers. I don't know exactly how many cats there are, but it is a lot! The Foundation is going to be funding the majority of the neutering of this colony. Thanks must be given to those who have donated in the past, along with the wonderful Purrs in our Hearts team who donated all proceeds from their 2013 Christmas auction to the foundation. None of this would be possible if without these amazing donations

I will also be putting a collection tin at the practice, and trying to get free flea treatment and FeLV/FIV tests donated. Sutterton vets is another hugely supportive practice who is offering neutering at extremely low-cost for these ferals, as by offering low-cost neutering it enables the foundation to help more cats in more areas.

I am still working to get the Grantham practice onboard, and with the links I now have with the charity Lincs Ark, we can hopefully get more practices onboard in other areas.

I also have another practice interested in helping out, but who are in the middle of a major move, so I'm hanging on until they're settled into their new practice before chatting to them.

I will keep updating about new neutering schemes and foundation progress.

Liz x

Purdy Bear · « **Reply #34 on:** June 23, 2014, 08:30:53 AM »

I've pinned the webpage to Pinterest.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #33 on:** June 22, 2014, 22:23:17 PM »

Thanks for the update and so please this is ready to run. Hope the others can come on stream very soon

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #32 on:** June 22, 2014, 17:49:21 PM »

Hi everyone, thought I'd do another neutering clinic update:

They're about to start on a weekday basis at Avenue Vets in Grantham, Lincolnshire. A massive thanks to my old boss, Richard, for allowing the clinics to take place there, and using his own staff! Avenue have always been supportive and caring, and rehome many strays that see their way into the practice. I will be purchasing a box of materials etc for use in the clinics, and paying a much lower cost per procedure for spays/castrates. So, with the funding on place (thanks to the wonderful Purrs Christmas auction!!

), once the box of drugs/materials and paperwork is ready, we'll be starting. This is likely to be in the next couple of weeks.

The scheme can be used for stray and feral cats free of charge, and for some people in receipt of benefits. There may also be a low-cost service for people on low income, but the emphasis and priority is for stray and feral cats, and cats brought in as welfare cases/over-breeding.

I also have another couple of practices in Lincolnshire who are keen to come onboard with the scheme on a weekday basis, so I'll update once I have more details. Once Avenue are up and running, I'll have more time to get the next one going. This works out so much better, as it means I don't have to sort out volunteers for Sundays, and instead I can use my resources for fundraising, raising awareness, and getting more clinics going. I also want to try and get more sponsors onboard, such as veterinary drug companies etc.

If anyone can support the clinics by way of a donation, it is always much appreciated, as being a free service for ferals and strays, and soon to be running in several practices, the funds will likely be depleted rapidly. Donations can be made via Paypal to: feralregisterUK@gmail.com.

I'm also putting a collection tin at Avenue, along with some literature, so hopefully people will read about what we're doing and make a small donation.

That's all for now!! I'll update on this thread and post on the foundation Facebook page once we're up and running.

Liz xx

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #31 on:** February 02, 2014, 13:44:25 PM »

Excellent news .. you have obviously been working so hard on this. So pleased to hear you are getting more vets onboard.

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #30 on:** February 01, 2014, 21:11:52 PM »

That is great news, you must have worked very hard to bring this about.

maryas · « **Reply #29 on:** February 01, 2014, 20:42:34 PM »

Absolutely blooming fantastic Liz

Mary

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2014, 14:32:42 PM »

Wonderful news Liz and hope that many cats can be helped..............auction money to be well spent

sheilarose · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2014, 14:22:28 PM »

Liz that's fantastic news, I'm utterly chuffed to pieces for you.

Congratulations and Well Done!

I know everyone who contributed to the auction will be delighted to see this news too.

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #26 on:** February 01, 2014, 11:30:56 AM »

Great news!!

Just got a practice I use and have massive respect for onboard for the neutering clinics!!! Yay!! They'll be running on a weekday (Mon-Fri) basis, and I will be purchasing a box of the consumables we need for neutering at cost price to keep there (blades, suture material, gloves etc), and they'll be doing the procedures at cost price. The boss said they'll be able to do 1-2 cats a day, and it's in Grantham, Lincolnshire, which has been highlighted as a hotspot area for stray and feral cats...

I'll update again once we have finalised everything, but this is just the news I was hoping for.

Chuffed to bits

Liz

maryas · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2014, 17:56:11 PM »

Fantastic - it just goes to show that in The Auction every little bit counts

Mary

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2014, 16:15:38 PM »

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2014, 14:22:55 PM »

Hi all,

Firstly, what can I say about the fantastic amount raised from the Christmas auction... it blew my mind to receive £2,138 for the foundation!! Thank you all so much for selecting the foundation, and for donating and bidding on items...

So you can see the reality of what this amount can do, the money will neuter:

168 female cats or 346 male cats!!

So, this is the plan I’m working on for 2014.

There is currently one vet operating the neutering scheme in Boston, Lincolnshire, on a weekday basis. Initially, I am going to be approaching new practices with the following idea, to try and encourage them onboard.

I will be asking for them to run the scheme on a weekday basis (Monday to Thursday, as Fridays are often an extremely hectic day in practice), and the costs will be based on our current figures, which may fluctuate a little depending on which suppliers they use for drugs/consumables, etc. This will be for stray and ferals initially that rescues and the public can take in for neutering, but if they’re happy to take in cats from those in receipt of benefits, they even better. I will be asking for this.

I have three practices who are interested in getting onboard already, which are based in Nottingham, Grantham and another one in Boston, and I am waiting to see if this will be a weekday/Sunday basis. I still have a large pool of vets and nurses able and willing to help on Sunday neutering clinics, so the options are open.

I am also in close contact with local frontline RSPCA officers who are able to tell me who are the proactive, welfare orientated vets are. I have been given a list of about four more practices!

Also, for those on the forum or from rescues who know proactive vets/practices, I more than welcome being informed about them, as the funding can and will be used nationwide. If they are not prepared to do the cost-price service, but a much-reduced service, then this could also be funded.

I have an ongoing deal for microchips, which I get for £1.19 inc. VAT for the foundation. From these chips we ask for a £7.00 donation, and the funds received from chips enable the fund to keep ‘topped-up’.

I also have a deal for FeLV/FIV snap tests to be used on stray and feral cats, which is done prior to neutering.

So, I welcome any ideas and thoughts on the scheme, any practices who may be interested in getting involved, any volunteers interested in helping out, and basically any help promoting and getting the scheme introduced in other areas.

If anyone would like a copy of the current presentation to see how things work etc, please feel free to message/email me and I’ll send it on...

Email: feralstrayfoundation@gmail.com

With the fundraising I have done privately, along with the supporters of the foundation who make donations, I have a decent fund to really get cracking with more clinics.

Thank you everyone again; I still cannot believe how well the auction did!!

Liz

SamMewl · « **Reply #22 on:** November 06, 2013, 23:19:05 PM »

thanks liz

i wonder whether it would be a good idea to have an online form for people to fill and register rather than just an email link?* with drop down menus with things like how many cats can you take , and fill in boxes for contact details? i don't know whether it would get more replies or not but might make it easier for you if there was more response.

ii think it would be good for you to find a way that you are happy with that means it can be used by other organisations. obviously there is some data protection issues but if you could make sure that people listing themselves as a potential feral home could agree to their contact details being shared to rescues and feral welfare groups then it could be more set up to become a national register. you could also make a list of accepted users, and potentially accept only those that neuter and health check. if you can 'sell' it to people who need it then they will want to advertise it, for example on their Facebook pages. i know we would.

*mmmmmm because you have sooo much free time to do this sort of thing!!!!!!

maryas · « **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2013, 20:10:58 PM »

Bloody hell Liz, what point in the day or night do you actually stop and breathe?

Fantastic work. Well done you.

Mary

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2013, 14:41:29 PM »

Hi Sam,

Well, it has been used, but nowhere near enough!! It's getting people onboard to find out if there are farms/smallholdings/equestrian centres in their area who would take on neutered ferals for pest control.
There are cats are all over the UK needing placements, but I really need people to get the potential adopters so those cats can be helped. If I can get a really thorough list of farms etc together, then the ferals in their area can be located easier, if that makes sense?!!

I have rehomed quite a few ferals in the last 6-months to people (mainly local to me) who have emailed me saying they'd like some, and one of those saw the poster that I set up, hence the contact.

I would absolutely LOVE to get this as a national scheme, but need the homes and people to secure the rural placements!! Then, I would be more than happy for rescue to have a copy of those willing to adopt cats in their area... this also ties in so well with the neutering scheme, meaning only neutered/disease checked cats are rehomed and safe.

If you have any ideas on how to expand the scheme, let me know!!

Liz x

SamMewl · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2013, 13:23:06 PM »

Hi Liz,
just been at your website and was wondering how the feral register was doing? have you had much response and is it nationwide or more associated with your local area? it would be great if this was widely took up and all rescues could make us of it.
sam x

good luck as ever xx

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #18 on:** September 26, 2013, 16:14:30 PM »

Thanks for the update and hope you are able to get insurance in place asap...................you are doing a great job

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2013, 14:29:47 PM »

Thanks for the update, it is lovely to hear about the fantastic work you are doing

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2013, 11:14:05 AM »

Hi Everyone,
I though I'd give you a little update on the Foundation.
It's been pretty manic still, and I've been hearing about and re-homing many strays from the veterinary practices I locum at, as well as those who vet friends contact me about, especially the medically needy and oldies. I've also managed to put people on farms/equestrian centres in touch with local groups rehoming ferals. We also had some great news about 4 local neutered ferals who where due for PTS but who will now, thankfully, be heading to a farm in Nottingham. Huge yay!
At present, there's just the daily neutering clinics happening, as I'm trying to sort public liability insurance out for the Sunday clinics. Since February, we've neutered 136 cats and chipped 29.
The Foundation has also helped by paying balances for a few neutering bills, and donated chips for strays and ferals.
So, once the public liability is in place (I have been contacting lots of companies for sponsorship) the Sunday clinics will start again.
Anyone who knows of a welfare-minded vets, please feel free to point them in my direction if they'd be interested in helping out with neutering clinics by donating their premises.
Thanks!
Liz x

kittiesmom · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2013, 16:15:31 PM »

Its so nice to hear from such good people like you and the good work you do. My two cats were feral kittens and are now three, left where they were they would have been shot. Well Done. :Luv2:They are Tilly and Scooby, I think they turned out well.

Dawn F · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2013, 14:58:23 PM »

best of luck with this Liz, I'm sure many people would like to see a proper solution to this problem as we all know there just aren't enough homes to go around

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2013, 14:46:49 PM »

I already have another practice in Grantham that we'll be trialling at, and others interested in getting onboard with the scheme.

I cannot say for sure if the Eat Lincs branch will continue - I hope they will - and funding was in place to run it, so fingers crossed.

If the chat chief vet of the RSPCA (who I've heard is very proactive and welfare-minded) gets things going nationwide, that would be great for cats around the country. I'm also in the middle of writing to the veterinary Journal and Veterinary nursing times to get more volunteers onboard.

It will be fab if I can get this scheme running all over.

Liz x

sheilarose · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2013, 11:06:07 AM »

I hope you can find another Practice to step in, and that the RSPCA Chief vet can help you organise something Pan-UK, it's an amazing thing you're doing and I wish you all the luck.

It's good the RSPCA East Lincs have adopted your ideas, but such a pity they have policies beyond your (and my) understanding, and totally appreciate why you feel unable to be part of something that isn't the "whole" deal.

If anyone out there has ideas how to help get your holistic plans moving, I'm sure they will step up, it may be worth opening another thread to brainstorm it with you?

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2013, 00:36:27 AM »

Basically, Gill, we set it up to run within their daily ops at the practice in Boston, as the RSPCA East Lincs want to continue their own version there, which will be solely run by the RSPCA and I, unfortunately, won't have any involvement with what they do. Any ferals, strays, or cats from people on benefits etc in the East Lincs area just need to contact Marshlands to book in...
I believe they will be continuing it in that practice, and I certainly have no problems with that as it helps cats...
I hope that helps?
Liz

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2013, 18:40:13 PM »

Very confused about RSPCA East Lincs..............how is the scheme continuing there if you are no longer in patrnership with them?

FeralStrayFoundation · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2013, 16:38:41 PM »

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to update you all of a new development with the neutering scheme:

From this point forward, the neutering scheme will be developed and rolled out through the Feral & Stray Foundation alone, and I am no longer in Partnerships with the East Lincs RSPCA branch. Sarah Richards, the East Lincs branch manager, has been absolutely amazing, and the very reason I joined forces on this project in the first place. But due to circumstance outside her control, the foundation will be developing and running the clinics without the branch's involvement.

My main focus is, and always will be, animal welfare, and if I don’t agree with something, I cannot be involved with it. I want to point out that any concerns I have lie only with the East Lincs committee, and not some other branches who I have seen as being highly proactive and welfare minded, especially the front-line officers who have all been absolutely amazing and supportive of the scheme and the foundation from the off.

I am more than happy to work with other welfare organisations and veterinary practices to getting more clinics running, and so welcome ideas and feedback on the scheme, including any practices you know who would be interested in running a neutering scheme. This can now also be a nationwide scheme, and not just East Lincs.

I will be speaking with the chief vet of the RSPCA soon, who has contacted me and who is keen to develop the scheme and roll it out far and wide, which would be fantastic news for cats! I am also still in talks with Avenue vets at Grantham, Lincolnshire, and we're planning a clinic trial there in the next couple of months.

I appreciate your continued support, feedback, and donations, however small, as without it I can’t do anything! Especially as there are still thousands of kittens and cats out there that need neutering! It'll be another challenge, but those who know me know I will continue to make it bigger and better in honour of all the wonderful kittens and cats out there, and especially for those 4 sweet kittens and their mum who lost their lives and who were the very reason I set up the foundation in the first place...

The scheme, as far as I am aware, will continue under the RSPCA East Lincs control at Marshlands vets in Boston, Lincolnshire, and any cats needing help in that area should to be directed to the East Lincolnshire branch.

Thanks for your support, and I'll keep you all updated on the progress.

Liz x

lau200 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2013, 23:09:21 PM »

My sister is a vet so im going to point her here incase she can do something to help, it would be great if we could get something like this worthy cause more widespread around the country. Oh and well done x

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2013, 22:59:14 PM »

Quote from: Slugsta on June 26, 2013, 19:52:50 PM

It is amazing that you have managed to achieve all that single-handed!! thank god there are people like you around.

Seconded! Such a fantastic cause - the world needs more people like you Liz

Author Topic: Feral & Stray Foundation News and Updates... (Read 13361 times)