Looking Back - and Forward

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Subject: Looking Back - and Forward

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Newsletter

January 2025

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

In This Edition:

Looking Back at Past Successes, Looking Forward to More
The Fabulous Feline FFGW Calendar
Adoption Events

Once Upon a Time...

Stories of Rescue

At the end of each year at FFGW, we write and mail a letter - holiday greetings, of course, but also a story. Each year, we try to select a story that best represents our values at FFGW, which story shows how your generous support enables us to be compassionate at a level that lets us reach beyond just saving the "easy" cats.

This year's story was about Serafina, a very special cat, and about not just the great medical care that your donations provided but also about the community of volunteers who rallied to rescue the twelve cats that we found ourselves with after saving Serafina.

If you missed our letter, you can read it HERE.

While the start of a new year is a time for looking forward, it is also a time for reflection. After the rescues that your support makes possible, after the treatment that your generous donations allow - the rescue is not over.

Murphy

Once healthy, the search begins for a forever home and a happy ever, for cats like Murphy. This gorgeous tripod orange boy had a rough start, detailed in our year-end letter from 2023, which you can read HERE.

Murphy needed a special home - one where his people understood that a missing leg wouldn't slow him down - because he more than made up for it with extra love. That's exactly what Murphy found in Michelle and Richard!

Richard and Michelle said that when they saw Murphy’s story on the FFGW Facebook page, they just knew he’d be a great addition to their family. Richard and Michelle began a slow and careful introduction to their other cats and their home, and the ebullient Murphy adapted very quickly and was soon zooming up and down the stairs, especially in pursuit of his new sister, Pirate!

Nine months later, Murphy has continued to settle in and reveal more and more of his personality. He loves to eat, enjoys evening zoomies, and his favorite spot in the summer is the screened-in deck (the “catio”), which he can access anytime through his very own cat door. He’s claimed a particular spot on the couch and also seems to love hanging out under the Christmas tree. He even has his very own stocking!

Michelle and Richard said that they thank everyone at FFGW, the veterinarians and vet techs, and donors who gave Murphy a second chance at life, and are honored to be his fur-ever home and have aptly dubbed him “Mr. Murphy” to reflect his dignity and resilience! At FFGW, we're honored to have folks like Michelle and Richard who have faith in a three-legged kitty provide a great happy ever after!

Ziggy

Back in 2020, Ziggy was a little kitten with a big problem - or maybe she had a small problem, in that her chest was too small for her heart (and lungs). You can read Ziggy's story HERE in our 2020 year-end letter. Without time to start a fundraiser, we authorized emergency surgery knowing that we could count on your donations after the fact.

Ziggy’s surgery made the difference between a short, uncomfortable life and eventually being someone’s treasured companion. We ended our 2020 letter noting that Ziggy was a few weeks post-op and "doing well in her adoring foster home where, after she fully recovers, she will be looking for a forever home with her mom Daisy or one or more of her five siblings. And guess what? Daisy and Ziggy are living their best lives together!

Ziggy's mom Marley tells us that Ziggy turned 4 in September and is doing very well! "She is living a playful life living with her mom, Daisy, and when she’s not laying on her people’s laps, she’s playing with twist ties, chasing her mom around the apartment, and pulling socks out of drawers . She continues to be in great health and amazes her vets at all her follow ups with her progression. Her baby face ensures everyone that meets her falls in love with her before they even get to know her charming and funny personality. We’re so grateful for FFGW for ensuring Ziggy could get the assistance she needed and live a long life."

FFGW is forever grateful for the supporters, volunteers and donors who make stories like Seraphina, Murphy and Ziggy possible. We're delighted to look back on success stories from the past, and check in on their future!

Here's a secret - if you meant to donate to our year-end campaign, it's not too late! You can make more stories like these possible by just pushing this button!

Donate

FFGW 2025 Calendars

Still Available!

We have a few 2025 FFGW calendars available for purchase at our next adoption event - or email info@ffgw.org

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:

Chewy Wish List

©Kerryj Some Rights Reserved

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 Clinic

1601 North Washington Plaza

(Lake Anne) Reston

Next Event Saturday, January 25

2 - 4 pm

Our adoption events at Just Cats Boarding Center have been extremely successful, both for FFGW cats in residence at the center and those kitties who come just for the monthly adoption events.

We will be having one event each month until spring and kitten season:

Upcoming Events:

January 25 (rescheduled from Jan. 11 due to weather)

February 22

March 29

April 26

We are still looking for caretakers for the FFGW cats in residence at Just Cats - fill out a volunteer questionnaire here and we'll get back to you about training:

Volunteer Questionnaire

--Midweek Adoptions by Appointment for Cats in the Centers--

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.