Rescuing animals isn’t just mentally draining, it’s financially even more so. And a group of dedicated cat rescuers shelled out $700 each month to rent a van. Then, some amazing friends helped them secure their very own cat rescue vehicle.
There are many many animal welfare organizations out there all over the world. Each one has an equally important mission. These organizations consistently need help in securing funds and supplies to aid in their endeavors. A particular organization in Long Beach, California got the help they wished for with a much-needed donation.
Friends of Long Beach Animals Steps Up
The organization, Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) was established over three decades ago in 1989. After many decades of service, FOLBA is Long Beach’s most venerable and philanthropic pet-welfare organization. When they heard about the help that the Little Lion Foundation, and their subsidiary, The Long Beach Little Paws Project, needed, they sprung into action.
“We just couldn’t say no!” FOLBA president Lauren Campbell exclaimed.
Photo by Kate Karp, Long Beach Post News
Cat Rescue Vehicle
The Little Lion Foundation reached out to FOLBA one day after learning they needed assistance to purchase a vehicle to aid in their services. The vehicle would be used to shuttle cats and kittens back and forth to vet appointments and transport rescues. Before the purchase of the van, the organization was renting a van, paying hundreds of dollars monthly. That’s a heck of a lot of money to spend on a vehicle that would go to better use on food and healthcare for the little floofs.
“We were spending $700 a month renting a van, and we’re like, this is really stupid, it’s a waste of our money—we should try to purchase one,” Little Lion founder Claudia Marie said.”We transport a lot of kittens, and we’re building a lot of partnerships to help us—for example, Helen Woodward Animal Center, which is a huge nonprofit located in San Diego County. They’re also going to the Humane Society of Berkeley, to Sonoma Valley and Silicon Valley, and we’re doing an ASPCA transport to Washington State, in Seattle.”
Photo by The Little Lion Foundation.
“Happy to be supporting our friends at The Little Lion Foundation and their new cat transport vehicle.
,” the Friends of Long Beach Animals shared.
Image via Facebook/Friends of Long Beach Animals
The Little Lion Foundation and Long Beach Little Paws Project
As pet owners, we want nothing but the best for our kitties, right? Well, the Little Lion Foundation and Long Beach Little Paws Project do just that! What’s even better is the Little Paws Project takes in disabled kitties with illnesses and other conditions such as blindness.
They also take in many discarded newborn kittens. Last year, FOLBA made a sizeable donation to the Little Paws Project to fill the kitten nursery’s formula bottles and to also provide medical care for severely harmed cats. In the Long Beach area, they have a number of cases involving various serious accidents.
Cat named Leighton, found in the street, unable to move. “His leg was shattered at the elbow and had to be amputated, as recommended by the veterinarian.“He panted and panted when I picked him up from the street, and then when I got him in my lap, he started purring,” Marie said. “He felt relief and felt safe. He decompressed, and so did I—I started crying.” Photo by Kate Karp via Long Beach Post News.
With the influx of all the new rescues and need for care, the new vehicle can also allow them to give vaccinations and other needs to the kitties right away!
“Our vet techs can do vaccines [from the van] and give services to community cats,” Marie said. “There will be a workshop at the end of the month for vaccines, microchips, flea meds, and community animals.”
“George and Maddie, both 5 months old, form a pair of royal beasts who’d be a plus to your own pride.” Photo by Katie Karp
There will continue to be traffic jams and bottlenecks on the road to rescue, but the rescue knows that is unavoidable. The use of the cat rescue vehicle will increase the mileage, meaning also distance, of their efforts to save and serve even more kitties. As their motto states, “Every cat deserves to roar.”
“Leslie, Leighton’s new foster, is taking him home to ready him for adoption.” Photo by Kate Karp
Thank you FOLBA for donating so the Little Lions can have the ability to rescue even more kitties and get around safely! Many cats are now well taken care of!
