2024 Year End FF President’s Report by Jaimie Garver

Dear Furry Friends Family,

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on all that we’ve achieved together. This year has been full of both challenges and heartwarming successes, all made possible by the dedication and generosity of our community. Thanks to you, Furry Friends has continued to be a safe haven and fresh start for so many deserving cats and kittens in our area.

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the commitment of our Board of Directors, who volunteer their time and skills to help shape the direction of our organization. Their leadership ensures that Furry Friends can stay true to our mission. Our heartfelt thanks go out to our staff, from the team members that nurture frightened cats back to health, to those who greet potential adopters with warmth and enthusiasm, each staff member plays a vital role in making our shelter a loving sanctuary for the cats in our care. We’re especially grateful for the leadership of our Executive Director, Jenn Hutchman, who has a bold vision for Furry Friends. Under her guidance, we have set in motion plans to expand our rescue reach even further and provide enhanced medical care and stimulation for every cat. Her vision of a new medical building is coming true, with her dedication to planning, working with the city, and fundraising, we expect to break ground very soon. Her commitment to building a compassionate and sustainable future for the shelter is truly inspiring and her passion drives us all to dream bigger.

When we set out at the start of the year, our goals were clear: to help more cats find their forever homes, to ensure the health and happiness of those in our care, and to grow our network of support. Your kindness has brough these goals to life and made 2024 one of our most successful years yet.

Here are some highlights from this year:

·         Rescue Initiatives: With your support, we expanded our rescue efforts to include areas with high numbers of stays and abandoned cats and continued our focus on hoarding cases and cats that are the most in need. We have saved many tom cats who have lived a rough life outside and now have a fresh start. From kittens in need of shelter to seniors with medical needs, each of them has been given a second chance at life thanks to you.

·         Medical Care and Rehabilitation: The health and happiness of our cats is our top priority. This year, your donations funded life-saving surgeries, treatments, and preventative care for over 700 cats and kittens. We’re especially proud of the work our team has done in rehabilitating cats who arrived with emotional or physical scars. They’ve gone from timid and unsure to loving companions, ready to be welcomed into new families.

·         A Growing Network of Foster Families: This year we saw incredible growth in our foster community. With more than 40 foster families, we were able to care for more cats than ever before. These compassionate individuals opened their homes and hearts to cats who needed special care and attention, giving them comfort in a home environment while they prepared for adoption.

·         Adoption Milestones: Our adoption events and social media campaigns have been met with an overwhelming response, resulting in our best adoption year yet. Watching these cats leave our shelter and begin their new journeys with loving families is the joy that keeps everyone going.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum. In 2025, we plan to extend our rescue operations, bolster our foster network, and launch community education initiatives to promote responsible pet care and the importance of adopting shelter animals. With your continued support, and the guidance of our visionary team, we’re excited to make an even greater impact in the lives of our beloved cats and the communities we serve.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for being a part of the Furry Friends family. Your compassion, generosity, and encouragement make all the difference, and we are deeply honored to have you by our side.

Wishing you a warm and joyful holiday season, and a New Year filled with love, laughter, and maybe a new furry friend or two!

Jaimie Garver

President

Furry Friends