ADOPTION
Advised Procedures to Spay/Neuter Ferals
A Cat's First Month in Our Program
Collar Your Cat but Make It Safe!
FAQ's
About
Friends of Pets of Klamath Basin
A No-Kill Shelter for Felines
All Donations Made to FOP Are Tax
Deductible
Public Donations is FOP’s Only Source
of Income
Prepared
by Kathy Williams, President and Founder
1.
Why and When Did FOP Form?
We formed to respond to an overwhelming need for an ethical, hard-working animal-welfare organization in Klamath County committed to bringing about change to make our community a better place for animals. The death rate for cats at the Klamath Humane Society was, and may still be, 90% annually. In 2002, over 1,700 cats were killed at the Klamath Humane Society. At this time the Klamath Humane Society will not disclose adoption-or kill-information as well as financial information to the general public. Friends of Pets formed on January 17, 2001.
2.
Why Is FOP No-Kill, and What Are Our Limits?
We refuse to kill (euthanize) any adoptable feline even though, upon entrance, it may have health problems or be shy or scared. We are committed to working through those issues and giving cats every chance and needed time. Essentially, our driving force is valuing the sanctity of life and appreciating the worth of these animals. We have many “hard to adopt” cats, such as seniors, shy, and semi-tame. These normally live at Cat Haven. We have about 200 cats in our program at this time.
Our limits are the numbers of cats that we can care for as well as cats with serious behavioral or health problems. We can reasonably handle about 450 cats per year. In 2006 we took in nearly 600 cats, which has put great financial pressure on our organization. We cannot afford to help that many cats with no additional funding.
We do euthanize cats that are excessively aggressive to people or other cats, those chronically ill, those depressed and have lost a reasonable quality of life, and those that must be medicated and cannot be handled.
3.
What is FOP’s Emotional Outlook?
We have a constant feeling of sadness for the cats in our program even though they are “safe” and appear to be in a tolerable environment. Despite appearances, we inherently know that our Adoption Center is a very stressful environment for the cats. Cats are territorial and our crowding forces them to compete for attention or not receive the human interaction they need, particularly the younger kittens. We are saddened when they have to wait so long for a home. However, because we do not routinely kill (euthanize), we are committed to continuing our important work to the best of our ability.
4.
What Are FOP’s Biggest Problems?
(1) Funding, most definitely, (2) Keeping cats/kittens healthy so they can get into homes as soon as possible, (3) Being able to effectively help significant numbers of cats, (4) and Finding homes! We have no funding source, except for cash donations made by those who support our work. We could help more cats if we had more money. Our monthly expenses run about $5,000.00, including our rent ($1,420/mo).
Kittens are prone to illness and oftentimes we have kittens for 3 or 4 months before they are healthy enough to be placed. Finding good homes is probably the most difficult task.
5. How Many Cats Did FOP Adopt in 2006?
In 2006 we adopted 198 cats. Our goal is not high numbers adopted, but quality of home and a lifetime committment by the new owner.
6. What Are FOP’s Annual Expenses?
Annually, FOP’s expenses range between $80,000 and $100,000.00. Our goal is to dedicate 60% of our donations to directly to the cats, such as health care and needed veterinary supplies. The remainder, 40%, is required for rent, supplies, pay for one worker (Kathy Williams, Store and Adoption Center Manager), and miscellaneous.
FOP’s only income source is from donations from the public and our members. We struggle monthly to pay our bills.
7.
How Many Cats Have FOP Helped Spay/Neuter?
Since formation in 2001, we have helped spay/neuter nearly 6,483 cats.
8.
What Does FOP Need Most?
A priority is cash donations to help us pay our hefty bills. Other items include litter (we use over a ton each month), warm bedding for cats at Cat Haven, and, of course, easy-to-sell quality items for our Store.
9.
How Many Volunteers Help at the Store and Adoption Center?
Twelve wonderful individuals serve as volunteers on a regular basis working at our Store and Adoption Center.
10. Why Does FOP Work Only with Cats and Not Dogs?
We love dogs, too! It is just that we are overwhelmed with trying to provide a program for cats. We believe that properly working with unwanted animals requires great time, commitment, money, and space, whether it be for dogs or cats. It is our great hope that someone will originate a dog program in Klamath County that is comparable to ours for cats.
11.
Is FOP federally tax exempt?
Yes, we filed for and received 501(c)3 status 6 months after we formed in 2001. We are federally tax exempt and any donations you make to us can be deducted from your federal income taxes.
12.
What Are FOP’s Fees to Adopt and Why Does FOP Charge?
Generally, all cats less than one year of age are $70.00; cats between one and seven years are $60.00; and cats 8 years or older are $20.00. We also have a Seniors Companionship Program. The Adoption Fees help us recover our costs.. We also have many costs that we must pay for other cats in our program that may never be adopted.
13. Why Does FOP Charge to Take Felines into the Rescue/Adoption Program?
We have no funding source and so we must rely on the public to help us financially. Our primary goal is to be “rescue only” and we try to avoid being used as an adoption service for pet owners who want to “get rid of their cat.” I also refer you to our 100-Kittens Program and can give more information on our Rescue Program.
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