Subject: Looking for Love... and Finding It!

Newsletter

Winter 2025

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2025 Numbers are in: 307 Adoptions!


In This Edition:

  • Freeze Warning!

  • Stories of Love

  • Looking For Love

  • Perpetual Love?

  • Bonded Pairs

Kitty It's Cold Outside!


24°F with a wind chill of minus 4! FFGW's adoption contract requires that cats be kept inside (far safer from predators, cars, and nefarious people).  

However, if you do have an indoor/outdoor kitty, this is the time to be firmly in the indoor portion of that equation! Imagine being barefoot in the snow and ice... If you have one of those cats who insists on patrolling the perimeter, or going outside to do her business, keep those excursions to an absolute minimum. We are receiving calls about cats found in garages and basement stairwells... many have turned out to be owned cats trying to get out of the cold and wind.

Love Is Our Currency!

Stories of Love

Valentine candy has been in the stores since mid-December, Hallmark Channel has been promoting its "Loveuary" movie lineup for a month, and it's clearly the "season of love." Here at FFGW, it's always that season - the Feline Foundation is an all-volunteer organization, but we do get paid - in LOVE, year-round. Our hearts are full, and well-paid, when we send off a kitty to love and be loved by an adopter or adoptive family. Nothing could be better than the million-dollar smiles of our adopters' children in this photo from last month as they brought their new bonded pair of kitties home!

Our contribution to this season of love is sharing with you some of the stories that warm our hearts, keep us doing what we do, and pay us - in love!

Candace & Tucker

"I had to get some dog food and went into PetSmart one day — it just jumped into my mind that I should adopt a kitten, so I wandered over.  Immediately I saw a little calico — I have a penchant for calicos — so I went over to her showcase. 

Almost instantly a second kitten climbed on top of her and said, “Hi — I want to go home with you “, so of course I took both. They have been an incredible pair of cats and have brought us nothing but joy (although Tuck thinks his name is Bad Cat because he’s always causing mischief and laughter).  I was going through a hideous time in my life and these kittens helped save my sanity."

Three Times the Charm!

Pixie - Rocket - Carrot

aka

Belle - Dulce - Leo

"Thank you so much. In September I adopted three beautiful kittens through your organization. Donna was their foster Mom. 

They are a joy everyday. So sweet and lovely and so fun. They were Pixie, Rocket and Carrot and are now Belle, Dulce and Leo. May everyone find the joy and happiness I have."

Agatha & Belladonna

Whoever said black cats are unlucky never met these loving sisters. Listed on a high-kill shelter's weekly euthanasia list, we had no foster space and were unable to rescue them. Miraculously, the girls survived to the next week, and a new foster

had applied, and a volunteer who normally isn't able to transport was able to drive from Fairfax to Reston to get the cats and then deliver them to the foster in far northeast DC. Finding a home for a bonded pair of cats is never easy, especially when they are both black, and one of them shy. But the girls had landed at an exceptional foster home, who took the time to teach them about love and to build their confidence. The sisters' luck continued when an understanding and patient couple in Reston fell in love with them on a Zoom call, and brought them home to finish learning about love.

"Agatha (Aggie) started out as a classic scaredy-cat, skittish about everything and slow to trust. She lived primarily under the bed for several weeks, and she had to get used to each new combination of person, room, and activity before she could turn off her escape reflex. But she quickly became comfortable with cuddling on top of the bed, and getting pets while pacing back and forth to maximize pettable surface area—we call it “car wash” since we just have to hold still and she comes right on through, and she turns into a drool machine when she’s happy. She is an absolute teddy bear, the gentlest and sweetest girl you can imagine, and she has made incredible progress feeling at home! She has favorite stuffed animals (Mr. Fox and Ms. Raccoon) who she carries around and yowls at, and she is becoming more adventurous and curious every day.

Bella, on the other hand, is the social butterfly, thrill seeker, and consistent troublemaker. From day one, Bella set out to explore every corner of the house, to consume every palatable item she could find, and to obtain new household objects to drag around, pounce on, and yowl at. She also imposed a strict migration checkpoint on the stairs.

But, after Bella gets her zoomies out, often by doing zero-gravity acrobatics hanging off the stairs or by shredding any cardboard or paper in the vicinity, you can always find the two of them cuddling and sleeping together, or grooming each other."


The girls - and their adopters - turned out to be lucky in love.


If you're a pair of black cats, or a trio of bonded kitties, it's hard to find love - but it is even harder to find love when you're a senior cat.

FFGW won't give up on our experienced kitties, and we work hard to find love for distinguished gentlemen like Panda Bear. We don't know why Panda ended up at the shelter, but he had clearly known love in his previous life. We promised him we would address his medical needs (he needed to see the dentist!) and then find him someone to love and to love him. That someone was Peter, who recognized him for the regal boy he is, and provided appropriate worship!

Panda

Peter already knew the love a senior cat could bring when he went looking for a companion for Helena, his own senior kitty. When we brought Panda to the same vet that Peter used, they let him know there was someone he needed to meet, and the big cat's affable personality charmed Peter right away. Peter tells us, ".I wanted a senior kitty because Helena was 12 at the time, and, being a senior myself, I wanted a kitty who was more sedate.  I've always been of the opinion that older kitties need love, too, and have always tried to adopt older cats when possible.  Panda just checked all the boxes nicely.  His Lordship is doing well and is spoiled rotten!" Peter got Panda a 5 foot cat tree as an early Christmas gift! (Panda looks pretty happy about that!)


Those are just a few stories of the love that pays us for what we do... all possible due to your love and support as fosters, donors and volunteers, for which we thank - and love - YOU!


And now - we're looking for love for another senior lady - Ms. Mu!

Looking For Love - Mu!


Mu (pronounced "mew") is seeking a position as Household Manager. She has 11 years of experience as a combination pet/life coach/supervisor, excellent references from her foster family, and an amazing resume. If you struggle with procrastination or work from home, Mu's gentle, consistent presence is sure to keep you company and keep you on task. 

She loves to be where her people are, whether it's minding your business from a comfy chair in the room or perched right on your chest. She is a top performer in keeping her people warm and toasty at night with excellent snuggling skills. And don't let her rather stern expression fool you--Mu is a devoted companion who adores being part of a family unit. Mu loves people... but not other cats, and is looking for a home where she alone can be loved.


It's tough being a senior in the dating world... but we hope that there is someone out there with enough love to make this month Mu's Loveuary!

Also Looking for Love Topaz!

It's never polite to ask a lady her age, unless perhaps she's wearing a birthday crown that says "I'm 6 today!" Speaking of 6-year olds, though, in feline years that's "too old to climb your curtains, young enough to climb in your lap." That's what our 6-year old lady Topaz would like to do, unless you also have dogs she can cuddle with!

Topaz loves to be with her foster family, cuddling, playing and hanging on the couch watching tv.  She also is very comfortable with the two 70 pound dogs living in her foster home, trying to snuggle with them (whether they want to or not!). Topaz is a "stealth tortie" -- mostly black, but just enough orange hairs to qualify!

Topaz's foster home is a very busy and active household, and she is constantly in the middle of the action, right at everyone's feet and wanting to be part of the action. Topaz would love to meet you - could you show her some love?  

Bonded Pairs

The complete love package - don't worry about introductions, adopt two kitties who already love each other! Click on any photo or the names to read more!

Martha & Prudence


Mochi & Tater Todd


Oscar & Shelby


Just 3 sets of cats in love and waiting for you to love them!

Perpetual Love

Mu came to us when her people became too ill to care for her. Stories like Mu's are not uncommon in rescue. Have you thought about care for your pets if something happens to you? Board member Harry Shubin writes about it for the blog Purrs of Wisdom:

Another VERY Special

Adoption Event!


An anonymous benefactor has once again offered to cover all adoption fees at our February 7 adoption event at Just Cats!

In addition, each adopter will receive

a $50 PetSmart gift card!

You must adopt in the center, at the event, and your adoption fee will be $ZERO! As always, FFGW covers spaying/neutering, vaccines, vet exam, and microchip


We are extremely grateful for this fabulous opportunity

which we hope will help lots of cats find love!

Join us at Just Cats, 2 - 4 p.m., February 7 for this special event!

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 Just Cats Boarding Center 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:

Adoption Fees Sponsored!

Saturday, February 7

2 - 4 pm    


Upcoming Events:


March 21

April 11


Join the Caretaker Crew at Just Cats

Help socialize FFGW kitties at the center!


Fill out a volunteer questionaire HERE

  

  --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 - December (36)

Papaya, Sunny, Agnes, Bob, Hope, Harlowe, Amon, Bijou, Grayble, Busy, Jango, Iris, Sal, Tracy, Leonie, Edmond, Chérie, Leib, Basteille, Cinder, Ember, Grey Sky, Parker, Posey, Oona, Scooter, Lemon Poppyseed, Everything Bagel, Duet, Opalite, Elizabeth Taylor, Henna, Rennala, Pip, Beetle & Juice

Check Us Meowt!

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


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