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Fieldhaven Feline Center

Aug 01, 2014 10:23AM ● By Style

Photography by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group

In 2003, sisters Joy Smith and Jann Flanagan embarked on a mission to help a local rancher TNR (trap, neuter, return) a large colony of feral cats that had taken up residence on his property. As they worked to raise and socialize the several litters of kittens they found to become adoptable companion cats, they realized the one-time project had the potential to be something greater. FieldHaven Feline Center was born when they began housing kittens in their horse barn before eventually moving their budding operation to a mobile home located on the property. With the help of the veterinary team at the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine program, the two completed construction on a state-of-the-art shelter designed specifically for cats in 2011. “It has been my vision,” Smith says, “to provide a place where people could come to meet a new feline family member, get help or advice with their own cats, learn how to help other cats in our community, or just enjoy being with the cats and people of FieldHaven.” In addition to adoption services, the center offers spay/neuter assistance, CAT (Cat/Community Assistance Team), a program focused on educating the public about cats, and the Tenth Life Club, a fund dedicated to raising money for cats in need of life-saving veterinary care. According to Smith, people are often surprised to learn that FieldHaven’s work is entirely funded by donations, fund-raisers and proceeds from its thrift shop, Snap it Up. She encourages those interested in supporting the center to consider volunteering both time and resources, including office and medical supplies, pet food, bedding and towels. “I think I must’ve been a well-loved cat in a previous life,” Smith shares, “and I just want to do what I can to make that dream possible for as many cats as I can in my lifetime.”

fieldhaven.com



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