Forget-Me-Not Barn Cats
Donation protected
We (Melissa & Alan Zickgraf) unknowingly started our cat rescue in the summer of 2016 when we realized a lot of local cats desperately needed help. It started with a momma cat and her brand new litter of 5, along with 3 adult cats after we noticed they were abandoned at a house. We then noticed other cats were abandoned, or neglected and abused, left to fend for themselves after constant food sources disappeared and found wounded or nearly dead on the streets. We decided something needed to be done beyond just merely taking them to the vet- we realized we needed to provide a home for these poor cats knocking on death's door.
We bought our home with the intention to rescue cats, actually! In fact, my husband and I MET at a cat rescue in 2010, so rescuing cats has always been near and dear to us! But we never realized how frequently we would be taking in cats, how infrequently we'd be adopting them out, or how expensive it can get: spays/neuters, FIV/FeLV testing, Revolution treatments monthly (if we can afford it), vet expenses for URI's, UTI's, or other ailments, de-worming medications and even an occasional emergency vet visit all cost quite a lot. And in some cases, even putting down cats who are beyond saving. It all adds up!
We try not to do more than we can afford... However, we could take in more rescues if we could afford more! We are a small, private and frequently philanthropic rescue and rehoming sanctuary, and we are working on ways to get our cats adopted through various websites (PetFinder.com and RescueMe.org). The more we can adopt out, too, the more we can take in. It's a vicious cycle, but we love helping these kitties find loving homes!
We run this rescue strictly from our income- which is a true labor of love, but so worth it! We receive very little financial assistance and we don't ask for anything more than a small donation when we adopt out since we really just want our cats to find good, safe and loving homes.
UPDATE: WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!! We are downsizing the house, but not the rescue. I will post again when we have found land to build on, but that's the goal: Build a nicer barn for the cats with select kitty access to the house so we don't get so overwhelmed inside the house again. Especially since we'd like the house to be significantly smaller! Any donations welcome for the BARN PROJEXT... it's gonna be so snazzy! We may even become a 501c3 if we can get enough donations to run the rescue itself. Fingers and whiskers crossed =^-^=
Here are our rescue links:
http://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/oh1187.html
http://forgetmenotbarncats.rescueme.org
We bought our home with the intention to rescue cats, actually! In fact, my husband and I MET at a cat rescue in 2010, so rescuing cats has always been near and dear to us! But we never realized how frequently we would be taking in cats, how infrequently we'd be adopting them out, or how expensive it can get: spays/neuters, FIV/FeLV testing, Revolution treatments monthly (if we can afford it), vet expenses for URI's, UTI's, or other ailments, de-worming medications and even an occasional emergency vet visit all cost quite a lot. And in some cases, even putting down cats who are beyond saving. It all adds up!
We try not to do more than we can afford... However, we could take in more rescues if we could afford more! We are a small, private and frequently philanthropic rescue and rehoming sanctuary, and we are working on ways to get our cats adopted through various websites (PetFinder.com and RescueMe.org). The more we can adopt out, too, the more we can take in. It's a vicious cycle, but we love helping these kitties find loving homes!
We run this rescue strictly from our income- which is a true labor of love, but so worth it! We receive very little financial assistance and we don't ask for anything more than a small donation when we adopt out since we really just want our cats to find good, safe and loving homes.
UPDATE: WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!! We are downsizing the house, but not the rescue. I will post again when we have found land to build on, but that's the goal: Build a nicer barn for the cats with select kitty access to the house so we don't get so overwhelmed inside the house again. Especially since we'd like the house to be significantly smaller! Any donations welcome for the BARN PROJEXT... it's gonna be so snazzy! We may even become a 501c3 if we can get enough donations to run the rescue itself. Fingers and whiskers crossed =^-^=
Here are our rescue links:
http://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/oh1187.html
http://forgetmenotbarncats.rescueme.org
Organizer
Melissa Shelton
Organizer
Spring Valley, OH
