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Mission Statement
West Volusia Friends of Felines, Inc. is a non profit support coalition that strives to improve the lives of feral and homeless cats living in West Volusia County, FL. The mission is to reduce the population of unwanted and abandoned felines through trap—neuter—return (TNR) programs. The “no-kill” alliance with the felines is a voice communicated to the community of West Volusia from voices that can not speak for themselves. The program is an alternative to euthanasia and assistance to the local kill and non kill shelters in the county. West Volusia Friends of Felines reaches out to the entire colony with TNR implemented, followed by the feral(s) returned back into familiar surroundings. When the males and females are sterilized, the ferals are less likely to continue fighting, spraying, having unwanted kittens, and allowing additional intact cats from entering the colony. The agenda humanitarianly administers TNR, plus vaccinations. The future will then hold healthy and fewer cats per colony throughout West Volusia County, Florida.
History:
West Volusia Friends of Felines was established in 2000 to help abandoned and feral cats within a small area inside the city limits of DeLand, Florida. It began with two animalitarians using their own financial resources for spaying and neutering feral cats. Slowly, two more interested animalitarians joined forces and the group remained four for the next two years. In 2002, research was done to determine the number of cat colonies among the community from a formula received from the University of Florida's veterinarian clinic. Just within the city limits of DeLand only there are 4,000 +/- feral cats in existence.
Goals and Objectives:
The goals of the West Volusia Friends of Felines are to control the feral cats within the unincorporated and city limits of DeLand. The proven program of TNR will then have an impact on the community's environment, the community and local business with the population of feral cats not reproducing. The goals will be assisted by Volusia County’s new “mandatory spay and neuter program,” (http://www.volusia.org/animalcontrol/14-58.pdf), fund-raising programs and donations. The long term objectives are to control and preserve the TNR program for feral and abandoned cats as an on-going mission.
Ferals:
What is a feral cat? They are cats that can no longer be domesticated. The colonies are from generations of unwanted cats abandoned, abused and discarded cats by humans. From the years of thrown-aside ferals, they have survived to reproduce themselves into an epidemic of unwanted cats. Regardless of how they became feral, feral cats exist everywhere and West Volusia County has become inhibited with a crisis situation.
The Benefits of TNR:
Once a colony of feral cats has been trapped-neutered-returned, there are many benefits for the community. The cats keep down pest animals such as mice, rats, and insects, as well as chasing away larger scavengers such as raccoons. Plus, the neutered/spayed colony keeps away future cats from intruding into the colony. If unchecked, the feral population can grow out of control, which has been the situation throughout all of Volusia County.
The Results:
TNR is a proven program that has been effective since 1990 (established by Alley Cats Allies ~ www.alleycat.org). If TNR is not implemented into the colony and the feral cats are removed, other cats or other species will fill the territory the removed cats have left behind. TNR is a non-lethal sterilization program with successful long term results for the community. In communities where TNR is widely embraced, feral cat numbers have dropped. The program is to eliminate the reproduction cycle from the abandoned feral cats and to be a continued voice for the feral cats that can not speak for themselves.
Donation:
If you would like to make a donation to help support the TNR program, please mail your payment to West Volusia Friends of Felines, Inc., Post Office Box 1508, DeLand, Florida 32721-1508. Make your check payable to West Volusia Friends of Felines, Inc. All contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. All donors will receive a receipt mailed to their return address for the generous contribution.
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Blue Springs Ent. Inc., Orange City, FL
Big Lots, DeLand, FL
CVS, N. DeLand, FL
DeLand Animal Hospital, DeLand, FL
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PETCO, Orange City, FL
PetSmart, Daytona Beach, FL
Publix, DeLand, FL
Sams, Daytona Beach, FL
Stetson University's Print Shop, DeLand, FL
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Walmart, DeLand, FL
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Please support these companies with your patronage.
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