Ferdinand and Friends Animal Rescue Network

03/05/2025

🚨 We are officially CLOSED 🚨

Our name & mission change became legal today and we are now under .

While this is bittersweet for me, I know making this change was what felt right in my heart. I will still be here for local cats, but for a very specific group of them that have touched my soul. There is no single organization, rescue or shelter that specifically supports very overweight cats. There are senior rescues, kitten rescues, TNR rescues but nothing like this (we’ve looked).

These big kitties often fall through the cracks, are first to be euthanized due to health issues, have a difficult time finding adoptions etc. There are so many more overweight pets than ever before and not just a little but morbidly obese ones.

Not only are we rescuing and rehabilitating them but we are working on educating and inspiring pet owners, supporting organizations that take in these large cats, and taking part in studies/new treatments as well.

We completely understand if this is something you prefer not to support as our organizational mandate has changed ❤️ There are so many amazing rescues in Ottawa to support and they can all use your help.

If you are interested in the work we are now doing, follow us over at The Big House, we’d love to have you there ❤️

Thank you for all your incredible support over the years and everything you have done for me, for the hundreds of cats and even dogs that came through our doors. I couldn’t have done it without you and for that I’m immensely grateful.

Until next time ❤️

Kristine

Ps: If you are a previous adopter, our old email will remain open. We are always here to support you in anyway we can xo any Ferd animals will always be welcome back under The Big House.

02/26/2025

Beautiful Bailey (formerly Blitzen) had his neuter yesterday with our amazing friends at ❤️ he is huge, I think the biggest out of Zoe’s crew. How handsome does he look this morning 🥹.

He’s the last dog to be sterilized under our rescue before we close. We have one more stubborn male cat but we will work on him under the new venture ❤️

02/24/2025

Thank you Gillies Grove Animal Hospital ❤️

Happy National Cupcake Day!

Part of the Gillies family is Ferdinand and Friends Animal Rescue Network & The Big House Sanctuary and we will be supporting them for National Cupcake Day!

All proceeds will be going directly to both organizations and the animals in their care. You can come in and purchase a cupcake or send in a donation and put "cupcake" in the memo and we will ensure all the proceeds go directly to them! ❤️

Please call or email for donation info!
☎️613-622-1700
💻www.gilliesgrovevet.com
📲[email protected]

02/20/2025

Sharing for those in Canada. Amazon has the Fancy Feast Pate on sale for a great price. This is a good low carb high protein option with lower calories. Often people use it for diabetic cats as well. We also have it on our Amazon wishlist ❤️

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1KTNJRLE6DXHX?ref_=wl_share

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

Who remembers Bear? One of the stray Tom Cats that went to work a big kitty Job in a local store? It’s been a year and he’s really coming around to the employees. He’s doing a wonderful job keeping the 🐀 out of his Kingdom. We love getting these type of updates ❤️ photo of Bear in the comments when he first arrived.

02/18/2025

Woo hoo! It’s open for Registration ❤️ if you are in Arnprior/Renfrew area they have a volunteer willing to transport from there to one of the pickup locations. Wonderful opportunity!

UPDATE Feb 20
101 forms submitted. The first load of people should have a confirmation email. Please check your JUNK if not.

STITTSVILLE location is currently FILLED

UPDATE.

With already 79 forms in..... it will take us a little time to get back to everyone. Thank you for your patience.

We will be starting with an email just as a confirmation that we got your form.

Then as we sort through everyone you will receive the NEXT Steps email.

We do ask that anyone applying for a spot - who ends up finding something else before to simple let us know. So we can move down the list.

And we are open for registration!!!!!

Spring Spay and Neuter Palooza forms can start being submitted.
April 28-May 2

https://form.jotform.com/243276994519068

Just a few things to remember
- all information in forms is required - PLEASE READ carefully
- we will send you a confirmation email within a couple days that we received your form *if you do not get this please check your JUNK FOLDER
- we will send more details out as we get through the forms - so this next email might take a little time :)

Bare with us - we expect lots of interest.

Thank you
GGlen Gower - Councillor / Conseiller - StittsvilleSSean DevineCCouncillor David Brown - Ward 21Theresa Kavanagh Bay Ward
RRawlson KingTTim TierneyOOttawa Paw PantryOOttawa Humane Society

02/17/2025

Sid, Jim & Moca some of our alumni enjoying the snow today ❤️ how are your fur babies feeling about the blast of winter?

02/15/2025

People will endure the weight of incredible hardships for the sake of others — including their pets. At our pet food bank, some pet owners share that they would choose to feed their pets before feeding themselves. With much of our work at the OHS, our goal is to make sure that pets can stay... Rea...

02/10/2025

😂

02/08/2025

We’re just days away from the big game! You may know which team you’re rooting for, which party you’re going to, and which snacks you’re bringing, but we want to make sure you’re prepared for everything—especially your pet’s safety: https://bit.ly/421HDBy

02/08/2025

Auction Update: You are all amazing 🥹 you crushed this goal and took names! Dawn is hustling today to get everything ready and where it needs to be. Payment and pickup instructions below:

Porch Pickup:

Sunday February 9th from 10am - 5pm

Woodlawn (Rural West Ottawa): 1587 Galetta Side Road

Gloucester: 3114 Timbermill Street

Barrhaven: 110 Deerfox Drive

Arranged Pickup:

Westboro: 391-4 Tillbury Avenue (this one is an apartment, we will put you in contact with Maggie to arrange pickup)

Other pickup dates: We can arrange with each location for alternate pickup dates and times.

PAYMENT: All payments must be received by Saturday February 8th via e-transfer to [email protected]. Please indicate your pickup location in the transfer. If you need an alternate payment method or date that’s no problem just send us an email or message to arrange.

02/07/2025

We are in the last 30 minutes ❤️❤️ you guys are absolutely amazing thank you so much.

Tomorrow is the last day for the auction ❤️ auction ends at 7pm and pickup is Sunday. Fast and furious. Thank you Dawn for all your hard work on this.

https://www.32auctions.com/meowandforever

02/07/2025

ETA Auction ends tonight ❤️

Did you bid? Can you let us know early where pickup would be incase you win. Dawn is working on sorting now to get things ready for tomorrows big sort and deliver. Here are the locations to choose from should you win:

Porch Pickup:

Sunday February 9th from 10am - 5pm

Woodlawn (Rural West Ottawa): 1587 Galetta Side Road

Gloucester: 3114 Timbermill Street

Barrhaven: 110 Deerfox Drive

Arranged Pickup:

Westboro: 391-4 Tillbury Avenue (this one is an apartment, we will put you in contact with Maggie to arrange pickup)

Tomorrow is the last day for the auction ❤️ auction ends at 7pm and pickup is Sunday. Fast and furious. Thank you Dawn for all your hard work on this.

https://www.32auctions.com/meowandforever

02/07/2025

Tomorrow is the last day for the auction ❤️ auction ends at 7pm and pickup is Sunday. Fast and furious. Thank you Dawn for all your hard work on this.

https://www.32auctions.com/meowandforever

02/06/2025

Our hearts are heavy as we share that Charles Pippin Minou the 6th passed away in the loving arms of Marianne and Christie, with the support of the
Capital City Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital, after complications from suspected FIP.

Charles’ story began in the most difficult of circumstances—found outside during a rainstorm, his mom Rayne desperately trying to keep her newborn babies dry under an outdoor air conditioner. He was the smallest of his litter, the little runt, but what he lacked in size he made up for in endless silly antics.

Over the last several months, Charles faced health challenges that would have overwhelmed many, but Marianne and Christie never gave up on him. They managed his care with unwavering love and dedication, giving him the most incredible months of warmth, safety, and absolute adoration.

Losing a cat this young feels so unfair—especially so suddenly and unexpectedly. He had his whole life ahead of him, and we are just so deeply sad. If love alone could have saved him, he would have lived forever.

In his passing, Charles is still making a difference. His family asked that his body be donated to the hospital to be used for teaching, helping future veterinarians learn and grow. He will be returned to them after, ensuring his impact continues even beyond his short but meaningful life.

Thank you to everyone who donated and supported Charles’ journey. You made yesterday a little bit more bareable. Your kindness allowed him to know nothing but love in his short but beautiful life. A special thank you to the team at Gillies Grove Animal Hospital for all they did for him over the last several months and to Cap City for the care and compassion they provided. We will never forget him. 💔

02/06/2025

Update: https://www.facebook.com/share/1629EqbuW8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

‼️ No further donations needed, we have all we need 💔

Donations needed, I hate to beg but it’s a really awful situation ❤️ Charles is currently at Cap City with fluid around his chest and heart. He is receiving emergency treatment and our hearts are just shattered, especially for his Foster/Adopters Marianne and Christie. They have given this boy everything over the last several months.

We desperately need some funds for his care, there is no other nice way to put this. We are just beside ourselves. If anyone is in a position to support this beautiful boy who fought so hard the last 3 months, even if it means giving him the dignity he needs to pass peacefully. It isn’t an easy decision but regardless of the hard decision, it will be expensive.

Donations can be made to [email protected]

Please send prayers and comfort for them ❤️