Every cat has a different personality, temperament, energy, comfort with kids and other animals, medical needs and more. We take all these factors into consideration when making a forever home match.
We are very careful about our adoptions. We do our best to match the right cat with the right people because we want this to be the cat's permanent home.
This is not an easy answer. When someone adopts or takes in an animal, we fully expect that commitment to extend through the lifetime of the animal.
Especially in the era of Covid-19, people have run into death, eviction, etc. and we have been here for them. But, as a small group with only 16 kennels, how do we prioritize who to help?
Easy...what have you first done to mitigate your own problems? We are more likely to help those who help themselves!
Have you posted the cat on your personal social media? Have you asked friends and family for assistance in rehoming the cat? Have you contacted your vet and local shelters like the Humane Society that receive taxpayer support?
Has the cat been spayed/neutered and is it up to date on all its shots?
All of these things will get you much closer to a YES from any rescue.
MOST IMPORTANTLY – You may NEVER dump an animal at our gate, at any facility, or “out in the country.” This is a felony under Florida State Statute, Section 828.13 and is punishable by fines and jail time. Don’t do it!
Work WITH a rescue. Do your part in good faith and we and other rescues are more likely to help.
The answer is not a simple yes or no. We are a small volunteer-based organization with a four-member field team and 14 traps. Moreover, spay/neuter appointments are tough to get and cost $25 per animal.
Our Street Strife to Farm Life program relocates many cats from unwanted areas to farms, nurseries, warehouses, etc but that involves our financing their medical care, finding them homes, and transporting them all over Florida.
The more immediate answer is that traps are available through the Humane Society Tampa Bay and you are able to trap and make appointments with them just like we can.
Feral or community cats are a human-made problem. It is not the animal’s fault and so many of the issues you have with ferals, like spraying or fighting your indoor cats through the sliding door, will go away if you accept responsibility for your community and get these cats spayed and neutered.
This is a community problem, and we ALL have to roll up our sleeves and stop passing the issue onto others.
If you've done this and the cat is STILL an issue, message us. We are far more apt to help those who have taken steps to help themselves!
First Ladies Farm & Sanctuary
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charity organization. Your tax-deductible donations are always appreciated and allow us to help more animals in our community! We are not backed by large corporations or grants, but by people just like you. We have very low overhead, are resourceful, and know how to stretch a dollar. This means your donations go straight to helping animals in need.
FLFAS is a 501(c)3, Guidestar rated charity in good standing since 2018
