Today we’d like to introduce you to Penny Bly.
Hi Penny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After years of working with the local Humane Society, myself and some others decided to start our own rescue for several reasons, but the most prevalent was the need for more animal rescues in our area. Originally, we had a location that featured dogs and cats but after seeing the overpopulation of felines we decided to make cats our only focus. Don’t misunderstand. We still love dogs but there are less groups in the area that helps felines so that’s where we put our energy since they deserve love and attention too. We funded our efforts originally with a resale shop, which we still have to this day located next to the shelter. Since that time more people have learned about our efforts so our ‘FOCA friends’ aka donors, really step up when a need arises.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing worthwhile is easy and rescue is very hard but also so worthwhile. Our struggles aren’t much different than what other rescues face – funding, animal care, volunteer shortages, particularly since we’re an all volunteer operation and no one gets paid. But it’s important work and worth doing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My career started in food service actually. I worked in a cafeteria for a large industrial location when I got into animal rescue. So knowing and understanding safety protocols is something I knew very well and that knowledge has helped run the rescue.
We’re known for having friendly adoptable cats. One thing we hear over and over is how well adjusted our cats are but that’s not by chance or accident. We have a great group of volunteers (cleaners, fosters, etc.) who engage with the felines so they build a level of trust with humans not often found at other rescues. And the fact that we’ve saved literally thousands of cats who came through our door is just the cherry on top.
In addition we are a rescue so we take on medical cases that other organizations in the area cannot – either because of resources or funding. While not all cases have a happy outcome, we’ve managed to save the majority of cats who find their way to us.
We also do a great deal of trap neuter return (TNR) on our dime. Overpopulation isn’t something we can adopt our way out of so we need to stop reproduction at the source. That means going into areas heavily populated by free roaming felines and fixing everyone, male and female. We get many requests but we’re just not able to get to all of them because of manpower, money and time. But we want people to know if we could TNR all the places that need it, we would. Our mid-term goal now is a local spay and neuter clinic for ferals and semi-feral cats at our location so people locally will be able to bring in their community cats since we can’t be everywhere. Funding is what we need now most of all to make that happen but we have faith it will. How soon depends on how many people and businesses get behind the idea of helping not just the cats but the people in our communities. It’s a good thing for everyone.
What matters most to you?
Doing a good deed for everyone is most important. Whether it’s a feline in trouble or a person who needs support with the animal issue. Again, we can’t help with every request but being able to help as many as we can with what we have is what means the most.
Pricing:
- Kittens (under one year): $150.00
- Cats (one to five years): $100.00
- Cats (over five years): $60.00
- Barn Cats: Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://friendsofcompanionanimals.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foca_mi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcompanionanimals
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@foca.mi?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendsofcompanionanimals4414
- Other: https://givebutter.com/focafriends
