As you know, our foundation exists solely to help finance the day-to-day operations and dreams of small-to-medium-size animal rescues because they do so much to relieve animal suffering. While larger organizations typically have dependable resources for revenue, smaller groups are no less dedicated but operate with smaller staffs and fewer resources. That’s why it gives us immense pleasure to herald the news of one of our recent Dr. Jane HealthyPetNet Foundation grants, awarded to the Ft. Lauderdale-based Paws South Florida Rescue, an animal-welfare group laboring to put an end to the cycle of feline overpopulation in their corner of the world.

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Working almost exclusively with feral cat communities, PSFR is not a traditional shelter but rather a close-knit group of volunteers who care for cats on the outskirts of society. In fact, the majority of their work consists of feeding and maintaining feral colonies. They make sure that every cat who crosses their path is up-to-date on vaccinations, is tested for illness and receives any necessary treatment. And all felines they come into contact with are eventually spayed or neutered, without exception. In addition to managing feral colonies themselves, PSFR also offers advice to independent colony managers.

These aid providers are skilled in TNR, a method where felines are trapped without injury, neutered or spayed, and then released so that they may return to their feral group. With the assistance of veterinarians affiliated with PSFR, feral cat communities are closely monitored and carefully managed according to guidelines established by Alley Cat Allies, a popular feline advocacy organization. Any adults and kittens judged to be viable candidates for adoption live with one of PSFR’s devoted foster parents until a suitable forever home can be identified.

Rather than devoting substantial funds to maintaining, updating and operating a dedicated shelter facility, PSFR believes a pure foster-care strategy offers significant advantages to the feral cats who are determined to be good candidates for adoption. These rescued felines live in homes, not in cages, which PSFR contends makes for an easier transition when adoptable cats move in with their new pet parents. In foster care, they are allowed to roam freely and socialize with humans on a daily basis. Furthermore, this level of interaction allows insight into each cat’s personality, helping PSFR’s volunteers to find the perfect match when suitable pet parents come to call.

Our recent grant was used to help fund efforts to spay/neuter feral cats in an area of town where a few trailer parks intersect. Thanks to their diligence, a portion of this land is nearly completely under control, although there are still a few stragglers. Workers admit that some felines are “just too clever” for standard trapping, so other humane methods must be devised. Although our grant was only a small part of Paws South Florida Rescue’s budget, we’re so pleased and proud to have helped play even a small role in their 2011 achievements, which include trapping and sterilizing 116 feral cats and rescuing 15 kittens who found new homes during an active season of holiday adoptions at year’s end.

Two of the cats helped by the funds we provided are Zeus and Apollo. When they were rescued, they were in pretty bad shape … mange covered large parts of their bodies. In fact, the disease was so progressed that their eyes were completely encrusted. As you can see from the before-and-after photos below, thanks to the loving care and attention provided by PSFR, Zeus and Apollo made full recoveries!

We’d like to convey our sincerest thanks to all of our readers who, through their personal donations and continued patronage, made this grant possible. You have directly helped the dedicated network of Paws South Florida Rescue’s volunteers to continue their vital work towards making the world a better place for abandoned and homeless companion animals.

Remember, every time you place a Life’s Abundance order, a portion of the profits goes directly to the foundation. If you would like to show additional support for our foundation, you may do so when placing an order online or by sending a check to Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 1425, Palm City, FL 34991. Even if you can only spare a dollar or two, you’ll be providing much needed aid to deserving rescue organizations on the front lines of the fight to reduce and eliminate pet abandonment, neglect and abuse in America.

If you or someone you know works with an animal rescue organization worthy of special recognition and financial support, please know that we are actively seeking grant applications for 2012. We encourage you to ask our customer service for more info about how to apply for a Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation award.

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