Feline Rescue in the Ferry: Cat Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Petfinder Foundation Cat Enrichment Grant funds helped the organization by providing funds to add a safe, secure, easily accessible, and generous outdoor space for rescued cats and kittens to enjoy as they wait to be adopted.
The benefits of safe outdoor access for cats are many:
* Open space for play and exercise in fresh air;
* Enriching sensory stimulation and satisfying their natural curiosity by experiencing wildlife like chipmunks, squirrels, and birds; smelling the flowers and plants; feeling the warmth of the sun; and hearing all the beautiful sounds of birds singing and crickets chirping;
* Added freedom and environmental variety promotes activity, exercise, and socialization with other cats/kittens;
* Reinforces behavioral rehabilitation and socialization training. Exercise and spending time in nature has shown to benefit overall mental health, making them happier and calmer and curbing destructive behavior.
The organization was helped because the cats and kittens were helped. The grant provided funding to add a much-needed safe outdoor space to enhance and enrich the cats' experience while they are waiting to be adopted.
A prefabricated (324 cubic feet. 6’x9’x6’) outdoor enclosure was added adjacent to and integrated with the main building. An easy-to-use door permits “controlled” access to/from the main building.
A grant of $1,000 was awarded by the Petfinder Foundation. The actual cost was $1,371.66. The variance is attributed primarily due to individual decking planks (1” x 6” x 12’) being used to build the deck on which to install the catio structure rather than using one sheet of plywood as originally planned and budgeted as the floor.
Due to the undulation of the ground and weight of the structure, an actual deck was required. Volunteer labor to build the deck and assemble and secure the structure was donated (estimated value of volunteer time is $400).
The catio opened Nov. 7, 2023. Almost immediately, the “Intrepid Trio” of Rocket, Jill, and Justin became the first to enter each morning and the last to leave each evening. An engraved plaque mounted on the catio recognizes the Petfinder Foundation for providing the funding to make it possible.
How many pets did this grant help?
250 -300. It is expected that at some point in their stay at Feline Rescue in the Ferry, virtually every cat and kitten will use and enjoy the Catio.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
We call Rocket, Jill, and Justin the “Intrepid Trio.” They were the first to explore the catio and pave the way for all cats and kittens at Feline Rescue in the Ferry to enjoy the outdoor space.
Rocket was found abandoned on a walking trail by two ladies. Alone and crying, he was rescued and brought to Feline Rescue in the Ferry.
Jill’s life was saved before she was euthanized at Onslow County Animal Shelter. She had overstayed her allotted time there.
Justin is a special-needs cat. He has a lifelong megacolon condition and was accepted one day before being euthanized at Onslow Couty Animal Shelter.
Rocket and Jill will soon be spayed/neutered in preparation for adoption. They have promising prospects of being adopted within the next 15 to 30 days. Unless someone adopts Justin who will care for his special needs, he will become a permanent resident of Feline Rescue in the Ferry and receive the care his condition requires and the love he deserves.
Before the catio was installed, Rocket, Jill, and Justin were always perched on the windowsills to look outside and even watched nature programming on the TV. When the catio opened on Nov. 7, the Intrepid Trio were the first to enter it.
They quickly became daily visitors, being the first cats to enter in the morning and the last to leave in the evening. They have become examples, as other cats and kittens now follow them to enjoy the catio. Justin claimed a sunny spot in the corner for his afternoon naps. Since enjoying the catio, they seem happier and more sociable.
Now that the space is defined, with funding, additional enrichment items will be added, such as artificial trees, scratching poles, a water fountain, and toys, costing an estimated $400.
These three are to be soon spayed/neutered in preparation for adoption; then they will be posted on Petfinder.com.
