SEATTLE — To ensure critical care and rescue efforts for felines across the region - Seattle Area Feline Rescue (SAFe Rescue) has launched an emergency fundraising campaign.
SAFe Rescue executive director Emily Sprong said a budget shortfall of $100,000 was caused by a combination of issues including ongoing staffing shortages, rising veterinary costs, and a difficult fundraising climate.
The rescue takes in homeless cats and kittens to provide care and help them find forever homes. In a typical year - SAFe Rescue will help 2,000 felines, including seniors and special needs cats, find homes.
Staff and volunteers are concerned the area's most vulnerable cats will be at risk.
Sprong stopped by the KING 5 studios to talk about the fundraising efforts. She also brought "Missy" - an 11-year-old cat in need of a new family. While Missy is ready for adoption, Sprong said she will need additional medical care.
Missy was nearly euthanized when her owner could no longer care for her. Spring said Missy arrived at SAFe Rescue requiring daily ear drops, special prescription food, and grooming assistance, but her medical challenges didn’t end there.
"After noticing blood in her enclosure, SAFe's Medical Team discovered a large mass deep in her ear canal, likely cancerous," Sprong said. "Missy urgently needs specialized surgery to remove the mass and prevent it from growing back."
This procedure would be a specialty surgery for which the rescue is also fundraising. That campaign can be found by visiting this link.
“That needs to be done by a board-certified veterinary surgeon.” said SAFe’s staff veterinarian, Dr. King, “Missy isn’t the only kitty we have come in with special needs, and we only have so many resources within our organization to be able to address these cases the way that every cat deserves to have them addressed.”
SAFe Rescue's board said Missy's situation is one example of the daily cases they see.
"There are more animals coming into shelters, staying longer than usual, and having more medical and behavioral problems," said Emily Dolan, SAFe’s Board President. "Shelters have less access to spay/neuter and health care, and costs are up in all areas. We need your help."
As of Oct. 11 - the next $31,000 in donations will be matched by a group of generous community members to double your impact for cats like Missy.
If you want information on how to donate to the emergency fundraising campaign - click here.
If you are interested in adopting Missy or another feline at SAFe Rescue - click here.