Guest Author - Susan Hopf
This article is part of a continuing monthly series highlighting different animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations. These dedicated groups work in the trenches trying to offer homes, love and peace to those that have gone without. If so inspired please visit their websites.
Name, location, website and other contact information:
Four-Legged Friends Animal Adoptions, Inc. 1694 Penfield Road #5, Rochester, NY 14625 Phone: 585-248-2920 E-mail: FLFAA@AOL.COM Website: www.4-leggedfriends.net
Specializing in any specific animals?
We focus on cats and kittens; however, we do from time-to-time have dogs in foster homes
Inspiration that drove you to this work. This could be one or more incidents, one or more animals or one person (or more) that has influenced your life working for animals.
Four-Legged Friends was formed following an "unofficial" rescue of 40 barn cats in the Southern Tier, which led to requests from other people who needed help with situations involving cats. Most of these cats in need that were not good candidates for adoption through existing local programs, so Four-Legged Friends was founded to try and fill this void.
Worst day on the job and why.
The worst day was when a virus spread through the shelter and we did not have the funds to pay for veterinary care for all of the cats affected. We were told that in shelter medicine, the thing to do was euthanize the sick cats.
Best day on the job and why.
The best day was when the volunteers used their own credit cards to fund $6800 worth of vet bills for shelter cats affected by that virus. Every single one of the sick cats got better, and not one of them had to be euthanized.
How many hours a day do you spend working for the rescue/sanctuary
All of our "employees" are volunteers. We have no paid staff. Currently we have about 70 active volunteers, and the time each one is able to give varies. Our executive director, volunteer coordinator, and administrative coordinator put in full-time hours or more, while some volunteers put in 2 hours a week. But every person who contributes is essential to the success of the shelter.
Other than money what is the greatest challenges your organization faces?
The greatest challenge is dealing with the sheer number of cats and kittens in need. Even if we had as much money as we needed (which we never do), we still could not help every animal for which someone sought our help.
Short term goals?
Our short-term goal is to raise enough capital for at least a down payment on a free-standing shelter location, which would actually cut our operating expenses ("the rent is too damn high!") and provide a more practical, healthier environment for our animals.
Long term goals?
Our long-term goal is to set up a low-cost spay/neuter clinic for all cats -- owned, stray, or feral -- and truly curb the cat overpopulation.
If you could stand atop the highest mountain and shout out one statement for all the world to hear what would you say?
Spay or neuter your pets ... no excuses ... !!!
