This is an archived newsletter. Information featured in it may no longer be pertinent or accurate and some features may be missing.
Winter, 2018
The foundation of every great nonprofit organization is made up of dedicated volunteers. Every year, FieldHaven’s hardworking volunteers donate tens of thousands of hours of time in belief that “For every Cat in Need, a Solution.” We would like to recognize these faithful volunteers who have been with FieldHaven for over 10 years.
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
– Mother Teresa
Joy Smith, Executive Director
Miracles: they happen daily at FieldHaven as people, cats, kittens, and veterinarians walk through our doors. Over the past year, thanks to your support, we have saved the lives of over one-thousand deserving kitties that needed our help. Each one was distinct in their color and personality, but a few of them stood out as if they had guardian angels watching over them. Little Bravo is one of those kittens.
Bravo’s first angel arrived as a woman who found a litter of tiny kittens. She took them to Oakland Animal Services (OAS) where an experienced kitten foster became his second angel. Bravo was very sick: he was underweight, covered in fleas, and his right eye was horribly infected. His foster never gave up on him and when he was strong enough, the veterinarian at OAS who performed his life saving eye removal surgery became another angel.
The next angel was a FieldHaven volunteer named Scout, who was in Oakland attending a Maddie’s Fund sponsored apprenticeship at Cat Town. Part of the curriculum was a trip to meet the staff at OAS. While visiting the adoptable animals, she saw a tiny kitten that looked just like the beloved kitty she lost to kidney disease just a few months earlier. When Scout left for home the next day, she had established not only a new partnership with OAS but she also was transferring Bravo to FieldHaven where she became his new foster.
A few days after his arrival, his fifth angel was FieldHaven’s own Dr. Heather Kennedy. She was concerned Bravo’s left eye had a corneal ulcer. After thoroughly checking his eye, she prescribed a therapy which included autologus (self) blood serum treatment. The problem was Bravo was far too tiny for such a large blood draw. His next angel was a complete surprise.
Joy Smith’s horse Logan was the perfect candidate. “They have gallons of blood,” remarked Joy, “a syringe-full is nothing!” His blood was drawn and spun down in a centrifuge. The resulting serum was used as eye drops for Bravo twice a day. Within a few days, his eye was remarkably better. A dinner party welcomed Bravo’s seventh angel. The guests were on their way to Reno from the Monterey Bay area. They wanted to visit FieldHaven and learn all about our life saving work. That was when the guests met Bravo. It was love at first purr. Within a week, Bravo was adopted and being spoiled rotten by his new mom Jill C. They are happily living in Santa Cruz.
Singer Lawrence Peter wrote “Don’t believe in miracles – depend on them.” At FieldHaven, we do!
FieldHaven has something for the holidays for each of your cat loving friends or for the person on your list who has EVERYTHING. Give them the purrfect gift while helping cats and kittens.
Champy’s Champions
Monthly commitments from Champy’s Champions ensure the cats and kittens of FieldHaven receive the continuous care they fundamentally need and deserve. You can send a gift of a Champy’s Champion membership by pledging a monthly donation of $15 or more. Your recipient will receive a special letter each month from FieldHaven’s blind spokescat, Champy, with insider information on FieldHaven and a story about a special kitty available for adoption. They will remember your thoughtfulness all year long when they read Champy’s unique view on FieldHaven each month.
Sponsor an Adoption
Have you ever seen a cat or kitten on FieldHaven’s adoption page and thought, “I wish I could adopt this kitty?” Whatever the reason you can’t adopt, you can still help that special kitty find his/her forever home sooner by sponsoring the adoption fee. Sponsorship for a kitten is $100; an adult cat is $50.
Sponsor an Intake
At FieldHaven, we want to help as many cats and kittens as we are spatially and financially able to care for. While we wish we could take in every cat or kitten that needs our help, unfortunately that depends on our resources at the time. The average cost to intake and provide care for a kitten is $250 and $350 for an adult cat. Your donation of either amount will provide the funds for us to accept or transfer a kitty in need from a shelter.
Giving by Thrifting
A thrift store benefiting cats and kittens in need, FieldHaven Marketplace offers a variety of vintage, gently-used, upcycled, as well as new items for sale. FieldHaven Marketplace is located at 454 F Street, Lincoln, CA, (916) 434-0622.
Purchase a Brick
Make a truly lasting gift with a personalized brick to pave the pathway to FieldHaven’s shelter door in Lincoln, CA. This is a touching and enduring way to honor or celebrate someone special – be it a friend, relative, or pet (all species welcome, not just cats!). The gift of a brick is perfect for someone who has everything. The bricks are a standard-sized red brick – 2.5” tall x 8” wide x 3.75” long. For the inscription, up to three lines with a maximum of 16 letters on each line per brick; letters are one size and upper case. $50/per brick for one to five bricks or $250 for six bricks.
Tenth Life Club
With a monthly or one-time donation to the Tenth Life Club (TLC), deserving cats and kittens will receive the medical care they need. TLC is for cats with extraordinary circumstances requiring specialized veterinary care. It may be a single cat who needs treatment/surgery or a group of cats who need rescue from a life-threatening situation. The TLC fund exists for those unexpected twists of fate where FieldHaven is the only hope.
Ways to Give All Year Long
- Donate cash/gift cards
- Workplace deductions like United Way (Check with your HR department.)
- Workplace matching of donations (Check with your HR department.)
- Donating stocks, bonds, and real property
- Place FieldHaven in your will
- Shop at Amazon Smile
- Shop at Marketplace
- Create a Facebook Fundraiser for any reason (Giving Tuesday, birthday, your cat’s adoptaversary, etc.)
- Ask friends to donate to FieldHaven in lieu of birthday or anniversary presents
- Learn more about ways to donate!
Contact FieldHaven’s development Director, Rochelle Barcellona, if you have any questions about donations or need help setting up a Facebook Fundraiser.
[email protected]
(916) 353-5200
Twas the Night before Hanukkah/Christmas
it was all purrs, no hiss,
every kitty was safe,
Thanks to your kindness.
The catnip was wrapped,
and the wet food was served,
thanks to your generosity,
they even had hors d’oeuvres!
With Rio in his kerchief,
and Champy in his cap,
all the cats were dreaming
they’d get their own lap!
When out in the shelter
there appeared such a clatter,
but the kitties were sleeping
so it didn’t really matter.
The volunteers finished Tuck-In,
their work was now done,
thanks to your generous donations,
All of them won!