The PAWS-SIBILITIES Are Endless: How Feral At Heart is Changing Lives, One Whisker At A Time
THE SPARKS FLORIST LIFE LESSON OF THE DAY:
Life isn't just about smelling the roses, sometimes it's about savings kitties.
MEET RACHEL: THE CAT SAVIOR WE DIDN'T KNOW WE NEEDED
Let's roll out the red carpet for Rachel. At 11, she was fostering cats. At 20, she was "The Cat Lady" of her apartment complex. And now? She's the mastermind behind Feral At Heart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Reno with a kick-butt mission: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) community cats, and re-home kittens before they even think about the feral lifestyle.
The goal? To ease the hardship of street life for cats, reduce shelter overcrowding, and kindly say "no thank you" to the grim euthanasia statistics.
THE NUMBERS GAME: WHERE EVERY DIGIT TELLS A STORY
Hold onto your catnip, because the numbers Rachel posted are nothing short of awe-inspiring. In 2022, Feral at Heart executed 337 TNRs and facilitated 95 kitten adoptions. But let's zoom in on a recent project at Apollo Mobile Home Park. Originally estimated to have a cat colony of 40-50, the actual count shocked everyone: 104 cats! Here's the breakdown:
- 60 TNRs: That's 60 cats trapped, fixed, and returned, reducing future feral generations.
- 38 Kittens: That's 38 kittens who've been socialized, sterilized, and adopted, changing their lives forever.
- 6 Unfixed Friendlies: These are cats who would have otherwise added to the feral problem - four of them have already found forever homes.
This wasn't just a heartwarming endeavor; it was a Herculean feat. With a price tag of $6,210 and over 250 hours spent, it exemplifies why Feral at Heart needs our support.
HOW YOU CAN CO-STAR IN THIS LIFE-CHANGING EPIC
You're a fan of beautiful things. We get it. But what if that monthly splash of beauty in your living room could actually make Reno a better place? With Sparks Florist's 12-Months of Flowers fundraising program, you're not just investing in decor. You're investing in Rachel's mission.
It's a win-win situation. You get your regular monthly bouquet to lighten up your life, and a percentage of that goes directly to Feral At Heart.
ANSWER THE CALL TO PAWS
In a world where actions speak louder than 'meows,' Feral at Heart stands as a beacon of what's possible when compassion meets community. Rachel has put her whole heart into this, and the stats don't lie - this is monumental work that's touching lives, both feline and human. But every life-altering mission needs a village, and that's where you come in. This isn't just Rachel's story; it's our collective narrative of kindness, compassion, and tangible change.
Ready to pounce on the opportunity to make a real difference? You can't just paws and watch; you've got to get involved. Reach out to Rachel via email ([email protected]) to request a 12-Months of Flowers card, and let's extend this circle of care. Whether it's through contributions or sharing this mission far and wide, your involvement is the next paw-sitive chapter in this remarkable journey.