Focus on Ferals

Focus on Ferals Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all community cats, including feral cats who have the least resources and avenues for help.
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We do this through Trap-Neuter-Return, and an adoption program for homeless, friendly cats. Being either born in the wild and never having had human contact, or reverting to a wild state after having been abandoned; the great majority of feral cats cannot be tamed. Generally, attempts at taming or adoption of ferals prove to be fruitless. Our efforts can be realized one-hundred-fold if we do the g

reatest good for the greatest number of ferals by stopping the cycle of reproduction. Communities can help these forgotten cats by providing them with food, water, shelter, and spaying/neutering services through the "Trap-Neuter-Return" full management program. Briefly, TNR consists of the humane trapping, sterilization, and return of feral cats to their familiar habitat to be cared for daily by dedicated volunteers. Kittens under eight weeks and/or tame cats are placed into adoption programs.

Welcome to FOF šŸ’œā¤ļøā€šŸ©¹ Jacoba was a stray for a long time before someone reached out for help because she seemed generally...
06/01/2026

Welcome to FOF šŸ’œ

ā¤ļøā€šŸ©¹ Jacoba was a stray for a long time before someone reached out for help because she seemed generally unwell. Once she got here we couldnā€™t find anything urgently wrong. Until she hadnā€™t eaten or pooped for days set off šŸšØ alarm bells. We needed to have her seen at urgent care, where she was found to be both badly constipated and suffering from a bladder infection. That was $469 šŸ˜–.

šŸ–¤šŸ¤ Cow kittens and mom were rescued from an apartment complex. Fortunately the babies are young enough to work with socially. We are still holding out hope for mom.

šŸ–¤ The trio of voids and their void mom (no picture yet) were being cared for by a Good Samaritan who even got the 3 kittens fixed already! Talk about doing the best you can without needing to be persuaded! Mom is super sweet and babies are in foster to get them ready for adoption.

šŸ§” Boonā€™s story will be upsetting. We got an urgent call from a girl who is without a home, car or money. Yet she took this cat from someone else, who had him on the city bus line and was talking about strangling or drowning the cat. She took him, not having any plan beyond wanting to save the catā€™s life. Which she most likely did since we canā€™t be sure of the personā€™s mental state who had him. We intercepted her on the way to Kent County animal shelter (they have enough on their plate) where she was hoping to surrender him because she literally had a cat in a carrier on a hot day with nowhere to go. Boon has now been neutered and will be up for adoption once his vetting is completed.

Any help towards medical for all these kitties is very much needed and appreciated. Thank you for following our work! šŸ’œ

Venmo:

PayPal: [email protected]

21 YearsToday is 21 years since I started this rescue. I had maybe 6 wire crates setup in my garage for new intakes and ...
06/01/2026

21 Years

Today is 21 years since I started this rescue.
I had maybe 6 wire crates setup in my garage for new intakes and TNR.
I used an extra bedroom to socialize feral kittens.
It seems the older I get the faster the years pass.
I wish I had taken more pictures in those first years.
I realized the other day, I started this rescue before Facebook was really even a thing.
Social media was not a contributing factor to our success.
But the rescue was also small enough that I could cover the bills with my own income from my day job.

I didnā€™t rely on a team of volunteers, or public financial support.
In a way, that was easier.
But the impact would have been so much less had I stayed at that size.

My first name for this rescue was actually not Focus on Ferals.
It was Nine Lives Feral Cat Project.
Yikes.

I think I was drawn to ferals and TNR for a couple of reasons.
One being they werenā€™t getting much attention or compassion 20 years ago.
Rescues were aimed at taking in friendly cats and kittens.
Ferals were largely just considered not important enough to allocate resources to.
Even within the animal welfare community.
I also felt a reverence for ferals.
They survive against all odds.
They donā€™t feel bad for themselves.
They just want to live on their own terms and not be forced into a box or a lifestyle that goes against their nature.
I was too young and naive to understand at the time, that I would also eventually be subjected to other peopleā€™s boxes and expectations of what my life should be.
Both professionally and personally.
F**k that.
Respectfully of course.

I am so deep into this now, I donā€™t see ever quitting completely.
I will need to eventually take on less of a direct day to day role.
God willing when that time comes, I will find a youngster I believe in to carry on the mission.
But Iā€™m still going hard.
Because I still can.

I have learned more than I have taught others.
From technical skills, to leadership, to personal boundaries.
My own life is better because of this rescue.
I really had NO IDEA what I was getting into.
I didnā€™t know I would have to deal with some of the most insufferable people that life has to offer.
And in the same day, I could meet another person who exemplifies the best of humanity.
I didnā€™t know how much I would have to sacrifice.
Or how much that sacrifice would ultimately be worth it.
I didnā€™t know how totally alone I would feel much of the time.
Followed by volunteer and community support that would carry me when I really just want to walk away.
ā€œThank you for changing my belief that shelters are depressing.ā€ (An FOF volunteer)

Our shelter is a place of hope, love and perseverance.

2005-2025 Numbers
Cats TNRā€™d: 3711
Adoptions: 5207

So I think Iā€™ll just keep going.

~Gina

šŸ¾ Adopted! šŸ¾ Thor, Virgil, Hissy (the boy we saved from pneumonia he almost died from), and Jiminy Cricket all have new ...
05/30/2026

šŸ¾ Adopted! šŸ¾

Thor, Virgil, Hissy (the boy we saved from pneumonia he almost died from), and Jiminy Cricket all have new homes! Donations make us happy. Thank you for supporting our work, and please keep sharing and interacting with our posts! Algorithms help the kitties!

7 More Owned Cats Fixed šŸŽ‰ We focus on getting outdoor feral and community cats fixed. But since cats donā€™t always coope...
05/29/2026

7 More Owned Cats Fixed šŸŽ‰

We focus on getting outdoor feral and community cats fixed. But since cats donā€™t always cooperate with going into traps, we sometimes end up with open surgery slots. We use those to assist people in need of getting their owned cats fixed.

This week we were able to last minute get 7 cats fixed for people who could not afford even discounted services. Some of these cats were given away as free kittens when a person went through a trailer park handing out kittens to anyone who would take one šŸ˜¢. Others belong to a single mom who hasnā€™t had running water in her home since December. We refused a donation from her because sometimes that money and cat food is more needed at home.

We are delighted to have been able to help these people and their cats. They were all extremely cooperative and grateful. ā˜ŗļø

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾The Honorable Judge Judith Sheindlin, formerly known as Espresso, has officially taken the bench! These days,...
05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾The Honorable Judge Judith Sheindlin, formerly known as Espresso, has officially taken the bench! These days, she answers to Judith, Hey Jude, and Big B***y Judy - although "Stinky B***y Judy" might be more fitting, as she believes she is above covering her litter box contributions.

Within days, she fully assimilated with both her fur-sisters and human-brothers. For the most part, she's full of energy and she's currently learning how walk *with* us instead of weaving directly through our feet like a furry little insurance scam.

She loves love and cannot get enough pets. If you scratch just the right spot on her back, her b***y goes up, up, up until she backflips over herself. It never gets old!

She's a full-on stage five clinger and would crawl into mom's skin if she could. She sits outside the bathroom door, crying for an invitation like an offended toddler. As I type this, she is smothering me, attempting to become one with my ribcage.

And she purrs! This girl purrs like it's her fulltime job at the first sign of eye contact. You don't even have to touch her - just acknowledging her existence is enough to get her motor running.

She's incredibly affectionate, endlessly entertaining, and already feels like she's been part of the family forever.

ā¤ļøUPDATE!! šŸ¾Tinsley & Teagan are doing amazing! They have finally settled in and their personalities are starting to shi...
05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!! šŸ¾Tinsley & Teagan are doing amazing! They have finally settled in and their personalities are starting to shine! We love them so much. Here are a couple of photos.

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Since being adopted from the shelter, Chico has been settling in amazingly and truly coming out of his shell....
05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Since being adopted from the shelter, Chico has been settling in amazingly and truly coming out of his shell. He has so much personality and keeps everyone entertained with his playful antics, curious nature, and sweet little habits. Heā€™s become such a loving part of the family, spending his days cuddling, exploring, and bonding with his dog nephew and cat brother. Watching him grow more comfortable and confident every day has been so rewarding, and itā€™s clear he knows heā€™s finally home and deeply loved.

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Bali (now Luna) is doing great! She adjusted to her new home and family very quickly. Her and our dog are at ...
05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Bali (now Luna) is doing great! She adjusted to her new home and family very quickly. Her and our dog are at a point now where they can both be in the same room (and same couch) without any issues - as long as they donā€™t look at each other šŸ˜€
Luna is very spoiled by our daughters. Her vet check went very well, and Luna has to lose 2 pounds! Sheā€™s definitely come a long way from the undernourished, pregnant kitty that ended up at the shelter.
Luna is a great, friendly cat that loves being a part of our crazy, hectic family and definitely fits right in!

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Chai is doing so well. She wasted absolutely no time stealing our hearts!! She loves to run around the house ...
05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Chai is doing so well. She wasted absolutely no time stealing our hearts!! She loves to run around the house playing soccer with her spiral toys (they are her absolute favorite and we have a stash of about 100 of them now). During the day, sheā€™s often looking out our slider door, watching the birds from her perch on her bed or catching all the zzzā€™s from her ā€œhammockā€ on her cat tree.

She loves getting 2,000 kisses a day on her cute little head from mom, playtime with her human sister and getting lots of pets from Dad.

Oh and did I mention naps? Chai is the QUEEN of naps. See attached photo evidence including the last two which show her in her favorite pose, sh*****ng. šŸ˜‚

We just love her so much and are so thankful she is now a part of our family!

05/28/2026

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾Thanks for reaching out! I think all in all we are doing pretty well. Simba & Opal are in my family room, with windows overlooking a couple of bird feeders and a field where there are birds and bunnies and sometimes deer to watch. They have a cat tree with cozy beds and a cave. They both eat well and use the litter boxes.

Opal has decided Iā€™m all right most of the time - sheā€™s a little leery still if Iā€™m walking around, but she can be bribed with treats and sheā€™ll come to me when I sit down. She sits on my lap and demands to be petted, with head butts and little chirps. She doesnā€™t always stay very long, but she has napped on my lap a few times.

Simba will not come out of hiding when Iā€™m in the room yet. I try to move slowly and speak softly so I donā€™t scare him, and I hope eventually he will realize heā€™s safe and will venture out to see me. I know it will take time and love and patience. When Iā€™m not in there, they watch the birds and play with toys, and chase each other (usually in the middle of the night)(I have a camera in the room =^.^=). At this point I visit them several times a day, trying to find a happy medium between getting Simba used to me and not stressing him out. I love them so much!

ā¤ļøUPDATE!!šŸ¾ Florence and Charlotte (Dutchess & Sarah) are getting acclimated at our home. Florence is getting more and more friendly. We did use a Pheromone calming collar on her, but she was kind of like Houdini and able to take it off every day and we would find it in their room. She now comes up to the glass french doors where the kitties can see each other. I think they will get along really well.

Charlotte did really well at the vet and they were able to trim her nails. Florence was very scared and we were able to get some calming spray. We put on a towel for her too that helped. I think leaving the space they knew at your shelter, coming to a new home not being well and having to go to the vet was a lot.

Simon and Winston, who we adopted as kittens from you five years ago are looking forward to meeting their sisters. They sit by the door and watch each other trying to touch their paws under the door.

Charlotte will sit in my lap and Florence will rub up against me and let me pet her and she looks for pets. They love their soft food and
Florence finishes her food first and goes after Charlotteā€™s. They are both growing nicely and Charlotteā€˜s leg seems to be doing well. She jumps and plays and our vet did see where the separation for her patella is and weā€™re just keeping an eye on it for now

They also have a large picture window to enjoy all the birds and bunnies.

Address

7962 Clyde Park Avenue South West
Byron Center, MI
49315

Telephone

+16168260927

Website

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