Keep Our Cat Rescue Running: Urgent Van Replacement

On July 6th our rescue van was totalled in a freak accident when it was struck by a fallen tree. This van is our lifeline in rescue, and is the only means of transportation we have for our rescue cats. Without it, we can not continue to operate in nearly the same capacity.

It was an essential purchase I made with personal funds when our rescue began to grow so quickly. We are fortunate to partner with some amazing vets, however they are anywhere from 30-60 miles from us one way. Since our foundation we have saved and found homes for over 1500 friendly cats and provided spay, neuter, and vaccine services to over 500 ferals.

We have been able to accomplish such large numbers only because our veterinary partners are willing to give us 20-30 appointments in one single day. Without our van to transport so many cats to the vet in we will drastically have to decrease the amount we commit to. Every cat that comes through our doors recieves spay/neuter, rabies and distemper vaccines, combo testing, deworming, flea treatment, and microchip. Our vets that provide these services aren't right down the road where we could take multiple trips on different days. We have to be able to transport them in large numbers for the interest of both our and our vets time.

Transporting friendly cats in our personal vehicles or volunteers vehicles isn't ideal, but we have really ran into the biggest issue with the feral cats. These cats are wild, angry, smelly, and dirty. They are also in large humane traps that take up a lot of space. If you've ever smelled un-neutered male cat pee or parasite ridden explosive diarrhea, you'll understand why putting these cats in vehicles intended for daily personal use just isn't possible. No matter how many layers of protection is put down that smell just absorbs and sticks to the fabric inside anyone's car.

Our van sustained $7066 in damages, deeming it a total loss. Thankfully, our GAP insurance paid off the remaining balance of our loan. We planned to retain the van and restore it to basic functionality, but in order to use our GAP and not be left with a balance we were forced to relinquish it. Paying off the balance of the loan plus repairs would have left us in a very deep hole.

We have been working with a dealership who are willing to help us purchase a cargo van that will meet all of our needs to keep saving so many lives. However, with the adoption center coming soon and the medical cats we have been buried in we don't have a penny to put towards it.

We are praying that by some miracle our community can once again come together and help us avoid closing our doors for good. No transportation means no ability to provide basic veterinary care. Without access to veterinary care we cannot commit to saving another life.

It is with broken and desperate hearts that we humbly ask for any support to replace our detrimental loss. Every single dollar counts.

Thank you.