Support Emerald Ark: Save Animals & Protect Local Wildlife!

Hello Animal Lover,

Imagine a world where feline kidney disease is no longer a death sentence for our beloved cats. Picture wild bird populations thriving, free from the threat of feral cats. At Emerald Ark, we're turning these visions into reality.

My name is Leslie Moran, and I'm the Executive Director of Emerald Ark, a pioneering animal welfare nonprofit in Reno, Nevada. We’re not your typical rescue—our approach is rooted in holistic care and nutrition. We provide our animals with human-grade, balanced homemade foods and supplements, because we believe that better nutrition leads to healthier, happier animals.

Our Mission Statement:

Driven by love, compassion, and a vision for a thriving world, we rescue, heal, and re-home animals while providing sanctuary. We also protect endangered wild birds, nurture a sustainable organic farm, and champion holistic nutrition and heartfelt care at our core.

Why We Stand Out: Emerald Ark is unique among animal welfare organizations because of our commitment to holistic nutrition and scientific research. We’re not just rescuing animals; we’re collecting vital data to advance animal care standards worldwide. But to keep our programs running and expand our impact, we need your help.

We’re Raising Funds To:

Our Current Programs:

The Healthy Bird Project:

Started in 1997, this project was born from Leslie’s realization that the common advice to feed parrots a "wide variety of foods" was leading to malnutrition. Our program focuses on providing balanced nutrition and conducting necropsies through our pathology lab at U.C. Davis, enhancing our understanding of avian health. Your donation supports the health and wellbeing of parrot species worldwide.

FFURRR (Feral Feline Ultimate Rescue, Rehab & Re-home) Project:

Our FFURRR program is dedicated to transforming the lives of feral cats and protecting wildlife. Our mission is threefold:

1. Rescue and Socialize: We bring feral cats indoors, teaching them the joys of being house cats—enjoying the warmth of sunlit windows, soft beds, and the love of human companionship. It’s heartwarming to see how quickly these cats adapt to being pampered.


2. Nutritional Rehabilitation: After a thorough vet check, these cats are introduced to our high-quality, homemade cat food made from human-grade ingredients that is the foundation of our Healthy Cat Project. This improved nutrition helps them adjust to their new indoor lives, building trust and health as they learn to enjoy gentle head scratches and the comforts of a home. Plus we begin collecting data that is integral to the success of the Healthy Cat Project.


3. Wildlife Protection: By bringing feral cats indoors, we reduce their impact on wild bird populations, including endangered species in northern Nevada. This aligns with global wildlife conservation efforts, such as those from the Cornell Ornithology Lab and BirdLife International, which emphasize the importance of protecting wild birds for the health of our planet’s ecosystems.


Your donation helps us continue this vital work, transforming the lives of feral cats and safeguarding wildlife.

The Healthy Cat Project:

Feline kidney disease is the second most common cause of death in our beloved cats, and we're determined to change that. The Healthy Cat Project was born from a passion for saving our beloved cats from this tragic disease. Here at Emerald Ark we’re using a groundbreaking approach. Using an abundance of published nutritional research, we’ve formulated a cat food made from human-grade, whole, real foods specially designed to prevent kidney disease. This food is currently in trials, and we are committed to finding the best nutritional solutions to protect our feline companions' health. Our approach is grounded in science, and is combined with a wealth of revolutionary data from leading experts in feline nutrition. This helps ensure that every bite supports your cat’s long-term health.

How to Get Our Food

For cat lovers in northern Nevada, including the Reno/Sparks and surrounding rural areas, you can purchase this life-saving food directly from Emerald Ark. Not in Nevada? No problem! You can still support our mission and provide your cat with the best by ordering from us—just cover the cost of shipping the frozen food to your location. Forget dry cat food and poorly formulated canned specialty foods that are missing essential ingredients. You can also support the Healthy Cat Project by donating here.

Decades of Expertise

Leslie Moran, our founder, has been dedicated to feeding her cats the healthiest homemade diets for decades. While many believe that raw homemade cat food is the gold standard, Leslie’s research revealed a crucial truth: raw cat food will not prevent feline kidney disease. Our meticulously formulated food is crafted to provide complete, balanced nutrition that supports optimal feline health and helps safeguard against kidney issues.

How You Can Help:

We need your support to keep these projects going and to expand our reach. Your donation will directly impact the lives of countless animals, both domestic and wild. With your help, we can continue to make a difference.

Donate Today to Save Lives!

By contributing to Emerald Ark, you’re not just supporting an animal rescue—you’re joining a movement dedicated to improving animal welfare through nutrition, research, and compassion. Together, we can create a brighter future for animals everywhere.

Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this journey. Let’s make the world a safer, healthier place for the animals we love.

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