Dear Friends of SCCG ,

Have you noticed how healthy the San Carlos Community Garden (SCCG) plots, fruit tree orchard, and pollinators have looked this past Spring and Summer season? After years of our gardens getting decimated by rabbits, rats, squirrels, and every other pest you can think of, the SCCG leadership team chose to take a different approach - they got cats!

Fern and Mama C were adopted in September 2024 by the loving volunteers of SCCG after being rescued by the Love Your Feral Feline Foundation from a near-death situation. Before getting rescued by LYFF, Fern and Mama C were barely surviving in horrible conditions with more than 100 cats in a hoarder's house. Now, they’re living the best cat life ever!

As farm cats at SCCG, Fern and Mama C spend their days chasing butterflies, roaming the paths of garden plots, and tickling their senses with all the different flowers and plants growing. They scratch on the fence posts and lay in the shade of fruit trees growing throughout the orchard. They get LOTS of love and TLC from SCCG's Cat Care Committee and their gardeners, volunteers and visitors. Plus, ever since settling into their new home at SCCG, the garden is thriving like never before. Our farm cats are the "Cat's Meow"" of the garden!

Here’s the hairball…over the last couple of months, we noticed Fern was having visible problems eating and grooming. It was clear she needed dental care, but a standard trip to the vet would not be easy. We had to find a vet who would work with our unique situation as a Community Garden with cats in our care, and someone who would treat shy Fern on her own terms. Fortunately, SCCG found Dr. Barb at Buckeye Veterinary Services, a mobile veterinary clinic that was able to provide all the immediate care she needed right onsite.. Fern had developed feline stomatitis, a painful gum disease that was preventing her from eating regularly and enjoying her best life. Poor Fern had to have all of her teeth extracted, but will now be so much more healthy. And, she and Mama C can get back to doing all the things they loved to do together. Even without teeth, Fern will still be able to hunt and chase away the pests that venture into the garden!

So here’s where you come in.

The discounted cost for this service was $2500, which is a really big expense for the SCCG. This fundraiser will help cover Fern’s dental surgery, after-care, and a little extra (like food and meds) for Fern and Mama C. When you donate, you’re not just helping two amazing cats—you’re fueling SCCG’s bigger mission of Growing Community, which they’ve been doing beautifully since 2011. Every dollar is like catnip: it makes our garden—and our lives—thrive.

Thank you for reading and considering a donation that will make an impact in so many ways. And, come visit Fern and Mama C in the garden soon so they can personally thank you with their feline presence. Meow.