Subject: Let FFGW Help You With Back to School!

Newsletter

September 2025

Cat with heart balloon

Our Newsletter is Best Viewed in Landscape Orientation on Mobile Devices!

In This Edition:

  • Volunteer Hours for Back to School

  • Fall Photos

  • The Calendar Contest in the Home Stretch - 5 DAYS LEFT!

  • 1 + 1 = 2 (Back to School Math, aka, Kittens in Pairs)

Back to School!

(We can help you with that!)

Now that the kitties kiddies are back in school... and you're back from the beach...

...it's time to get serious about homework... and that community service requirement. At FFGW, we're strong supporters of community service. However, with most of our cats housed in foster homes. we don't have as many hands-on opportunities for our young volunteers as we'd like. But there is a way that you can get that service requirement satisfied, and it involves fluffy kittens!

If you foster a cat, or litter of kittens, and your student tracks the time spent socializing, feeding, and cleaning up after (scooping those litter boxes!), our Volunteer Coordinator at FFGW would be happy to sign off on those hours. It's a win-win: your student satisfies the requirement, you - ah, we mean, your student - gets to cuddle with some fun cats, and you make the world a better place by helping FFGW relieve overcrowded shelters

Fostering can be for a week or two, to give a cat a break from our cats and kittens residing at the Just Cats Boarding Center, for a night or two when cats come in from shelters after vet hours, or for as long as it takes to get the cat or kittens adopted. You can find all the information and an application HERE.  

But Wait!

 That's Not All!

  You could just foster for an hour!

Some FFGW foster cats spend time in the adoption center at Just Cats Boarding Center in Reston, where they can be seen and often quickly adopted. 

We are always looking for adult volunteers to be caretakers for the cats in the center, feeding, cleaning cages, playing with and socializing the cats.  It can also be a wonderful volunteer opportunity for responsible high schoolers who can commit to a regular weekly shift of an hour or more,  and who are accompanied during their entire volunteer shift by a parent or guardian.  (We won't tell if you want to play with the kitties yourself, as well!)

If you're interested in helping out at Just Cats, please fill out the form below:




But Wait!! You also get...


A Foster Flyer, that you can hang up at work or on your community bulletin board, or post to your social media, so even if you can't foster, you can still help us rescue more cats & kittens! Click on the photo to download the flyer!

Say Cheese!


Why should the human kiddies be the only ones to get back to school photos??

FFGW Brings you Fall Pet Portraits - click below to sign up for pictures of your kitties (and cats and dogs)!

Wait - why are we talking about kittens in the fall?

It used to be that "kitten season" - the time when most kittens were born - ran from around April to August, and by the time school started any kittens in rescue would be older sweeties who had been born earlier and not yet adopted.

In recent years, kitten season has started earlier, and lasted longer - just look at some of the entering class of 2025!

Conrad, Conan, Beignet (and his sister Puma!)

are all available for adoption at ffgw.org

Kitten Math

Two is Far Better than One


Pop Quiz!!


How many kittens is the right number? (Let's not always see the same paws...) TWO! That's right - young kittens are best adopted in pairs!



We're not just trying to increase adoption numbers... because there are a lot of very good reasons why FFGW (and many other rescues) require that very young kittens be adopted with a playmate. Not only is it far better for the kittens, but it's actually less work than 1!


Kitten expert Hannah Shaw ("The Kitten Lady") lists 7 reasons why kittens should be adopted in pairs:

Learn by Observation - Kittens learn by observation and will more quickly pick up skills like using the litter box or grooming if they have another kitten or cat to teach them.

Focus Play Aggression - Having a friend means they can take out their play aggression on one another (instead of on you.) They’ll also teach each other good boundaries about biting and scratching. Read about biting behaviors in kittens and how having a playmate can help!

Entertain & Enrich - When your kitten has a buddy, they’ll always be entertained, active, and enriched. And a happy cat makes a happy home!

Keep Out of Trouble - One mischievous kitten can be destructive if left alone, but two kittens tend to keep each other occupied and out of trouble.

Easier Intro to Adult Cat - If you have an adult cat at home, two new kittens may be easier to introduce into your family than one. While one kitten may nag an older cat, two kittens will keep each other company while the older cat watches from a distance.

Comfort in Friendship - Having a pal will help your kitten settle into a new home. Just like humans, kittens have an easier time feeling comfortable trying something new if they’ve got a friend to do it with them.

Bonded Pair Adoption - It’s easier to adopt a bonded pair than it is to introduce a new cat later. Adopting a dynamic duo ensures that you’ll have a harmonious home for years to come!

Just 7 DAYS Left!

 in the Calendar Contest 


The 2026 Fabulous Feline Calendar Contest Ends This Wednesday Sept. 17th!


Remember - The top vote getter will win the coveted cover photo for the 2026 calendar, and the 2nd - 13th place winners will have their feline featured as Cat of the Month. You can also still reserve calendar days and feature your kitty on a particular date block.


New this year: 

Earn 5 votes for each calendar you purchase. Some of our cats had less than 5 votes at the end of the contest separating them from each other in voting!


Every entrant will be featured in the calendar – even if you don’t win one of the prizes you’ll be on a collage page within the calendar!



Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for timely updates.


Advertise in the Calendar!

Spots are open for businesses to advertise in the calendar - contact Pam@ffgw.org for details


We are delighted to have Loudoun Cat Care and Just Cats Clinic as returning sponsors of this year's contest!

I Feel Like Something Chewy!

Actually, not that chewy, but "Chewy"!

www.chewy.com is a pet product company specializing in home delivery of all things pet-related.  

FFGW has a "wish list"  which you can find here:

Any products you select from our wish list will be delivered directly to us for use at our adoption center at PetSmart and by our fosters!

Thanks to everyone who has donated food, treats, litter, beds, toys...  Chewy's platform doesn't allow us to see the names of our generous donors, but please know that your support is very much appreciated!  And if you drop us a line and let us know when you donate something, we'll be more than happy to send our thanks!

This post contains affilliate links.  FFGW may be compensated if you buy something after clicking on these links.

Adoption Fairs

Just Cats Boarding Center

1601 North Washington Plaza

(Lake Anne) Reston

Next Event:

Saturday, September 27

2 - 4 pm    


Upcoming Events:

October 18

November 15

December 13

  

  --Midweek Adoptions by Appointment for Cats at Just Cats --

and in Foster Homes Throughout the DC/VA Area

Looking for a new cat for your family? Get pre-approved for adoption by filling out an adoption form online today.)

We've Gone Home!

Adopted - August (39!!)

Veronica, Leo, Goldee, Cammo, Jeremiah, Jan, Finley, Sherbert, Zayn, Cactus, Tumbleweed, Keeley, Kevin, Miso, Chocolate, Squeak, Conrad, Steven, Pansy, Meadow, River, Brook, Banner, Balta, Elide, Ziggy, Mango, Shadow, Bellini, Nutmeg, Buzz, Leif, Peanut, Rhodes, Toast, Triscuit, Aedion, Buttercup & Danny

Check Us Meowt!

Follow us on Social Media for real-time updates and kitty pics!


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