Current projects include TNR (trap/neuter/release), rehab and re-home, and ongoing care of homeless cats at Wintergreen Resort. Additionally, FFF provides care for a formerly neglected rescue horse, Kenny, and his retired goat companion, Lovebug.

TNR is a widely used acronym in the animal rescue word for Trap-Neuter-Release. Cats are humanely trapped and taken to a spay neuter clinic or vet’s office, where they receive a wellness check, spay/neuter, a rabies vaccine, and are usually “ear tipped” to identify them as having been fixed. The “Release” refers to the practice of returning the cat back to the trapping location that they are acclimated to and therefore better able to survive in.

Every effort is made to put adoptable cats and kittens in foster care until they are adopted. FFF takes this effort to another level by providing 3 story cat condos for foster families, along with extensive guidelines, to socialize/rehab cats that have lived on the streets, giving them an opportunity to find a real home.

It’s rarely easy to trap cats, and given the geography and nature of our community, plus the distance to spay/neuter clinics with available appointments, it all adds a layer of complexity to our efforts. We count on property owners to report cat sightings, so we can try to identify if they have a home or are homeless. If apparently homeless, we need to have multiple sightings in a defined area before we can plan a location to trap. In most cases trapping can be accomplished on right-of-ways, but we sometimes consult with property owners if trapping on their property might be more successful.

After trapping, cats are kept in the trap overnight in a temperature-controlled environment like a garage or laundry room, given food until midnight, water until morning, then transported to the clinic.

In addition to a wellness check, spay/neuter and shots, the cats are generally “ear tipped.” While under anesthesia, a small section of their left ear is removed so they can be more easily identified from a distance as having been fixed. For cats who live outside, this prevents the trauma of being re-trapped, transported and possibly going under unnecessary anesthesia. If a cat is assessed to be quite tame and readily adoptable we occasionally skip the ear tipping.

Typically, the cats are discharged from the clinic at the end of the day. Depending on the time of their surgery and the accompanying recovery period, male cats can be released that evening and females released in the next day or two. During their time in the trap, we do some assessments of their tame-ability: behaviors like eye blinking or not, and different postures like rubbing up against the trap, can indicate their sociability.

Consequently, the release may be into a cat condo in a foster home or back to the trapping location, where they usually become tame over time if there’s regular human interaction. Being “fixed” usually increases their odds of being socialized since they are no longer focused on mating behavior.

We’ve had several successes socializing very shy cats at Wintergreen. It can take years in some cases, but it’s always worth the effort. A recent success is Bob Clouston’s cat “Nutmeg” who was seen regularly on one property owner’s deck, apparently looking to interact with the inside cats in residence. The owner allowed our super trapper Tamra Bramwell to set a trap. Nutmeg was fixed and transferred to a cat condo where Bob worked patiently with him for a few weeks before releasing him to enjoy free run of his home.

To read more visit: https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-and-stray-cats-an-important-difference/

Due to a limited base of volunteers and with Ellen still running her own business, we are generally unable to provide TNR in Stoney Creek. If we are able to increase our volunteer base and find an additional volunteer coordinator, we would certainly consider expanding our reach.

Managing the problem of cat over-population directly helps both the animals and the health of the community. Going from 40-some cats at Wintergreen in 2009 to less than 10 in 2026 shows the effort does make a difference. Without this important ongoing work, the population could easily skyrocket again.

Annual expenses for FFF run between $12,000 to $14,000. An annual fundraiser provides a significant portion of this, but monthly donations are a valuable way to ensure the sustainability of the project.

If 100 people donated $10/month or 50 people donated $20/month it would equal $12,000/year!

Not yet. We have our FEIN, are registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and are researching the best alternatives to structure ourselves. There is a volunteer advisory committee of Ellen’s friends who assist with research, planning and the boots-on-the-ground work.

Your donations are not currently tax deductible, but we are finding that people enjoy helping regardless. We will provide updates as we evolve!

You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.