#GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, is set to take place on Tue., May 5 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19
On Tuesday (May 5), Furry Friends volunteers hope to raise at least $7,500 for the medical expenses incurred by the many kittens and cats in their care.
#GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, is set to take place on Tue., May 5 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The global day of action will rally people around the world to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities at the grassroots level. Together, they will take action on behalf of often forgotten frontline workers: the nonprofits and community organizations that help and nurture neighbors impacted by the global pandemic. The hope is that this mobilization will demonstrate the power of generosity to heal a frightened world.
#GivingTuesday is recognized globally as a day of giving, harnessing the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations with the intent of encouraging philanthropy and celebrating generosity worldwide.
Because Furry Friends is a no-kill cat rescue, their medical costs are extraordinarily high. In 2019, they spent more than $126,000 caring for around 200 cats.
The following three cats – each with a different medical condition and outcome — best illustrate the depth of the Furry Friends commitment to those rescued by the organization.
Furry Friends volunteers recently made the decision to take in Ravenpaw, a 7-month-old male kitten with two broken legs.
“We knew he was going to be expensive, but we felt this was something we should do,’’ said one volunteer. “After meeting Ravenpaw, there was no question that we were going to get him the medical care he needed. His surgery was over $5,000, but the vet was confident that Ravenpaw would regain all function. One leg required a plate at the hip and the other was just a broken leg that needed to be reset and pinned. After a long recovery he was adopted into the perfect home and he is a normal, energetic, affectionate kitten living the good life.’’
Suzie Q is a little kitten that came to Furry Friends and appeared to be a happy, healthy little girl. She was independent and would rather run and explore than be held. All was well and then a severe eye infection showed up out of the blue. She was diagnosed with an infection in her left eye (Anterior Uveitis/Secondary Glaucoma), which led to its removal (left eye enucleation)! This kitten, only 4 months old, had to have her eye removed the day after Christmas. Her surgery cost Furry Friends $3,187, but it saved the little kitten’s life. After recovery from her surgery, she was adopted into the perfect home and is showered with love.
Duchess is a cat that was adopted out a few years ago. Her guardian had to move into assisted living and could not take Duchess with her, so Furry Friends took her back. Duchess is now 12 years old, and Furry Friends volunteers have discovered that she is hyperthyroid. She will need topical medication every 12 hours in her ears, which costs $45 a month.
“Furry Friends is an all-volunteer organization; it is very difficult for us to medicate a thyroid cat on such a strict schedule at our Halfway House,’’ said one volunteer. “There is an operation (radioactive iodine therapy) costing around $1,500 that we would like to have done that will eliminate the need for medication and make Duchess more adoptable. However, with the COVID-19 situation, the veterinarians are not able to perform the surgery until the shelter-in-place ordinance is lifted. Other than the hyperthyroid, Duchess is a healthy cat.’’
This year marks Furry Friends’ 21st anniversary. Volunteers ask others to help them celebrate it by making a tax-deductible donation in honor of cats like Ravenpaw, Susie Q and Duchess and all the medically challenged cats.
Those interested in contributing to Furry Friends #GivingTuesday initiative can visit http://furryfriendswa.org/donate/. They will also take donations through their Facebook page. Visit the Furry Friends Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/furryfriendswa/. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the website at www.givingtuesday.org.
Online auction
Furry Friends will also launch an online auction the same day as Giving Tuesday. This year, Furry Friends volunteers are fundraising for the organization’s medical fund.
“We are looking to raise funding to cover the extraordinary medical expenses of cats in our care,’’ said one volunteer. “These costs include veterinary bills for emergency surgeries, as well as ongoing treatments and lifelong medications. Furry Friends is committed to providing the best possible medical care to the cats they rescue before placing them in their ‘furever’ homes, but to do that we need your help.’’
Read more about Furry Friends’ need for medical funds at https://furryfriendswa.org/calendar/givingtuesday/
Bidding starts at 5 a.m. on Tue., May 5 and will continue through Sun., May 10 at 5 p.m.
Those interested will be able to view items ahead of time and on May 5 can start the bidding on the items from the safety of their own home. To preview the auction items, go to https://www.32auctions.com/helpmeowt .
About Furry Friends
Furry Friends is a 501c3 nonprofit, no-kill cat adoption organization run entirely by volunteers and funded by individual and corporate donations. Now in its 21st year, they serve the community of Clark County by providing homeless or relinquished cats with medical examinations, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and ID microchipping before finding them “fur-ever” homes. They have an active Board of Directors, and in 2019 more than 150 volunteers contributed 29,583 hours to their cause. For more information about Furry Friends, visit their website at www.furryfriendswa.org, contact them at information@furryfriendswa.org or call (360) 993-1097.
