Saving Sweet Pea

Who We Are

 

We are a group of five students at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville who are raising money for the Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee (FFF). Our campaign will fund the surgery of a six-week-old kitten, Sweet Pea, who was born with no eyelids. We are working with FFF because of their relentless dedication to rescuing the feral cats of our region.

 

 

The Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee was founded in 2004 by a group of women who started rescuing feral cats and kittens around their neighborhoods. Today, they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves the greater Knoxville area to rescue feral cats and provide the necessary care to improve their quality of life.

 

What We Need

 

Sweet Pea came to FFF through a local nonprofit organization called The Spay Neuter Project at just a few weeks old. After being introduced to her foster parent, Laura Jolley, she noticed that something was different with Sweet Pea’s eyes. Sweet Pea was diagnosed with eyelid agenesis, a condition where cats are born without eyelids and can eventually lead to blindness.

 

In order for Sweet Pea to be treated, she needs one of two procedures with an estimated cost of $2000. We have been given the opportunity to assist with the cost of her surgery, and we need your help to improve her quality of life. Sweet Pea is unable to blink without drying out her eyes and requires consistent moisturizing. This surgery is vital in order to ensure that she does not lose her sight.

 

 

Cats are less likely to be adopted when they have an existing medical condition, especially if they are an older cat. The sooner she is able to have her fully funded treatment, the sooner she will be able to be adopted and go to a loving home.

 

How it Helps

 

One of the most wonderful aspects of the FFF is that they never refuse to take in a cat because of health complications. When someone calls in that they have found a feral cat, they send someone out to collect them. They then evaluate the cat's condition and check for any necessary medical attention. When they do find a health problem, the cat is transferred to a caring foster parent.

 

 

By always accepting cats, the FFF helps reduce not only the overpopulation of cats in Knoxville, but also the number of cats with immediate health problems. By reducing overpopulation, they are saving potential cats from a life without the home they deserve.

 

Other than paying for her surgery, this amount of money raised will allow FFF to continue forward with their current rescues and adoptions. FFF works tirelessly to meet the needs of all of the cats that are brought to them.

 

How Else You Can Help

 

If you cannot donate today, there are still many ways you can help! The biggest way would be by sharing our campaign to help us reach our goal. Another way to support is by following Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee on Facebook . Feral Feline Friends also appreciates people attending their events, providing food donations, and serving as volunteers.