Testimonials This is a page for people to talk about their experience with Focus on Ferals and share the stories that brought them into the world of wild cats.

Michele's Story Kendall and Kelsie Where to begin...last year about this time one of my neighbors moved and left a Momma and her kittens to fend for themselves. After many calls and many sleepless nights, I was unable to find any help for them except the Humane Society. Luckily my "good" neighbors took the kittens and Momma in and they now all have forever homes. Me being a complete animal lover would have taken them all but my Queen Cat has issues with interlopers. During this whole process I was appalled at the lack of laws to protect the welfare of cats! Well, this year was a mirror image of last year. A new neighbor moves in and wonder of wonders they too don't understand the responsibility factor that comes with a cat allowing you to live with them. I had seen the Momma a few times and had no clue she had a litter of kittens. Over Memorial weekend I was out feeding a pair of ducks that frequent my yard, and here out of the bushes comes three kittens to eat the bread, poor things were starving. Of course I am sure they knew whose house they were at and before long I had food and water for them. Momma must have smelled it and showed herself. Apparently being a good Momma, she had moved her kittens under my neighbors deck. As frustrated as I was the year before with the lack of help I could find, I began my search once again. I called several places and stumbled upon one that said she would be more than willing to take the kittens. So my adventure begins. On Tuesday, the day I was to meet the rescuer the Momma and kittens were gone. After searching the neighborhood all evening, the kittens were found several home down the road and the if you can call them owners, weren't sure they wanted to give them up. I kindly gave them a cat carrier, cat food, etc. hoping this might prompt them keep Momma and the kittens inside. So okay, call me delusional or too hopeful, they did keep them inside until the following weekend when they left again. Out come kittens, no Momma. Out of the kindness of their heart, they left Momma inside. Of course, here I go again trying to lure the now two kittens to me. I knew I had to do something and it was not going to be to let those foolish neighbors get them back. Here is where Gina and Focus on Ferals comes into the picture. I am not sure why I did not call the original rescuer back, call it intuition or divine intervention. Either way, I found Gina. I called her and left a lengthy message. I was so surprised she called back in just a few minutes and offered the use of her traps. As I was leaving to get the traps, I was able to get one of the kittens. The other kitten proved to be way more work. I am sure all my neighbors now truly believe me to be the crazy cat lady. I ran around for two days, shaking food bowls, and calling kitty, kitty. Oh well, it paid off, I caught the second kitten. I did not at the time realize that what Gina was doing by taking in my girls, was not what she usually does. I was just so grateful. Later, I read her web page and realized she was making an exception, I don't know the reason but I hope she know what that meant to me and my girls. This past weekend Gina asked if I would be able to help at an adoption event at the new facility. Of course I said yes. The facility is a kitten heaven and I even was able to see one of my girls adopted to her forever home. What a great day! Gina, I told you before and I will tell you every chance I get, you are an amazing person! Thank you for everything, I look forward to volunteering wherever you need me. Addendum to My Testimonial Ok so about three weeks after I took Gina Kelsie and Kendall, their horrible sometime owners move in the still of the night. We all have neighbors like that and of course they left behind the Momma Kitty. I did not realize this as I had given them food, a carrier, etc. in hopes of educating them about responsibility. But about a week after they left I see Momma, scared, hungry and hanging by her old house just waiting. Knowing how overwhelmed Gina was I had planned on getting Momma and bringing her to HS however they did not lessen my fears of how they handle overcrowding after my call. So, the amazing Gina came to my and Momma's rescue. I managed to wrangle Momma one night at 11 and took her out to Gina's at midnight. Yes it is true, Gina does not sleep....ever. I was unaware until I grabbed the Momma that she was once again pregnant, I was mortified. But Gina being who she is said "no problem, bring her over". Well I am happy to say Momma is now fixed and on the waiting list for Crash's. Hopefully that wonderful girl will get a home and the love she deserves. But the story doesn't end there...last weekend I had the pleasure of volunteering at another adoption event which just makes my month. If anyone has time, call Gina, what a great opportunity! Anyway, I get home and my fiance' goes on a bike ride, he comes back furious. Apparently, he has found one of the original kittens from Momma's litter. It seems a different neighbor has moved and "forgot" one of their family members, my missing kitten. I recognized it immediately and so after helping Gina adopt out cats, I am once again bringing her another. The new kitten is also a female so I am pleased I did find her and this time I was able to catch her in about two minutes with some stinky food. See Gina, I am learning, it's true kittens can be kind of dumb at times. So, I now can sleep better knowing I have saved all of Momma's kittens and Momma from God knows what. I could have never done this on my own, nor would I have known how. I owe Gina more than what I can donate, whether it be time or money. So Gina, Thank You a thousand times, I appreciate everything and I know Momma, Kelsie, Kendall and the yet to be named one do too.

Judy's Story Dear Gina, I will always remember how relieved and grateful I was to find you through HSKC (Humane Society of Kent County) as I watched the lovely but very pregant calico cat wandering aimlessly around my mothers neighborhood. I named her "Teardrop"-and two litters later she, and all of her beautiful offspring have found homes. Thanks to you of course. Three of them live with me; they are little dolls, and since then it seems that a few more "wanderers" have drifted my way. Because of your dedication , example and help they will always be cared for as well. Thanks again for all that you do. It seems that all too often cats are left out of the loop of love and importance, and there will never be enough Gina's to help make a difference. Judy M. June 21, 2007

Lynn's Story The sign on Ottawa County Human Society says, "If every cat had a home then every household would have 42 cats." This breaks my heart and I'm sure it breaks the heart of Gina Marvin of Focus on Ferals. We learned about Focus on Ferals when a friend told us she could help us "fix" the male feral we were feeding, now two male ferals. Kitten season arrived and we were asked to act as a foster family. Both Gina and I figured out we weren't any good with kittens but we have been fostering adults ever since. Do we enjoy them? Yes. Is it hard to give them up? Yes. Do we miss them? Yes. However, it is very gratifying to receive an email letting us know one of our fosters has found a home and to know we had a small part in the process. I hope you will consider opening your heart and home to adopt an additional kitten or cat. If you simply can't take any more cats like us please consider other gifts. This is an organization truly deserving of your gifts of money, time, supplies or fostering. Or maybe you could provide food, water and shelter to a colony of feral cats. Lynn F.

The Streeter Family's Story Last winter, Focus on Ferals gave our feral cat colony the best Christmas gift ever. In mid-December, a representative stopped by our house and offered their services to spay and neuter all the cats we had living on our porch. At first we were reluctant, expecting some sort of catch, but there was none. Shortly after we gave them the go-ahead, all our kitties were humanely trapped and taken off to the veterinarian. In all, they spayed and neutered 11 cats, which was more than we realized we were feeding. They even attempted to locate homes for a couple of them, as well. After getting a clean bill of health, the cats were returned to us, and took up residence back on our porch as if nothing had happened. This spring, there were no catfights at two in the morning to disturb our sleep, and, best of all, no litters of kittens to fuss over and try to find homes for. Our colony is healthy and happy, living a life free from worries, thanks to the help of Focus on Ferals. -The Streeter Family, Grand Rapids, MI

Betty's Story I awoke one morning in the spring of 2006 realizing I hadn’t heard cat howls through the night that winter/spring. What a relief to know there wouldn’t be litters of unwanted kittens in the summer! What made this possible? Focus on Ferals! After having been bitten by one of the more friendly ferals I had been feeding at our apartment complex (and foolishly tried to pick up), the animal control officer got involved and referred me to Focus on Ferals. Soon I was in touch with Gina and she brought me a trap to get started with TNR. That was in 2005. Since then, we have spayed/neutered ten cats; additionally, two kittens were socialized and adopted, thanks to Gina. We have also provided three shelters for the feral cats. With good food and their safe, warm shelters, the cats (and I) all sleep better during the cold winter months. Thanks, Gina, for giving a lot of encouragement and help in providing a workable, loving solution to cat overpopulation in my little corner of the world. Betty W.

Julie's Story Sidney and Josie "Focus on Ferals is a stroke of genius, and what a great help to me and numerous strays. Angels! I've named strays and given them food, water and shelter (outdoors) for years. Last winter, as I put food out, "Abby" snuck in.....an overgrown kitten with toothpick legs. She had a cold, the vet said she was healthy, but pregnant. Three weeks after birth, her kittens began to die and Abby wasn't healthy. The vets office said they'd spay her when the kittens were weaned (but i didn't think she could wait that long), for $200.00. And I couldn't afford that. Desperate, I called Focus on Ferals and that evening was given kitten formula and medicine, and feeding instructions. Abby was spayed through Focus on Ferals the next day, and five other local strays (one with kittens born in a barrel outdoors) have also been fixed and returned. Abby's two surviving kittens have been added to my crew, and also were spayed through Focus on Ferals. No more nightly cat fights and better...no more new strays." Julie, Grand Rapids

Karen's Story "This is a special letter about a special woman named Gina. Our neighborhood was overrun with cats and kittens and I was at my wit's end. I love animals and don't want them hurt. My vet (Dr. Jen Petrovich) told me about Gina and I called her and have been working with her ever since. Thank God for Gina, she is such a loving and caring person. She helped me get many male and female feral cats fixed. She also took many batches of kittens and found new homes with loving people to take care of them. They are all so special, all they need is love. Since I have been working with Gina the amount of cats has lessened a lot. And this year I've only had one batch of kittens and it's already June! What a miracle. So if you can, please help. All contributions go to a very good cause." Karen, Wyoming

Susan's Story "Gina, We brought the black mother cat to you and you did a TNR with her. You didn't have room for her kittens so Linda kept them in her office where she grooms dogs. All the kittens have been spayed or neutered, microchipped and have their first shots. Linda paid for all of this. They have all been adopted into homes that Linda is very confident about. The two boys went together to a woman who was thrilled to get them. Her cat had recently died, and also a close member of her family. Chris adopted the black female and added her to her family of a nephew, two dogs, and two cats. Chris says the kitten (Onyx) started walking around like she owned the place right away. The black and white female (Olive) was the first to be adopted and has adjusted well in her new home. Linda feeds the mother cat, who has shelter in Linda's old kennel where she keeps hay for her horse. She has a safe, warm cubby there, and Linda says that sometimes when she is in there the cat will meow at her and she doesn't run away from her. Thanks for all your good advice and your help. Now four kittens have a good home, the mother is being provided for, and there are five felines that will not contribute any more to the cat over population. Sincerely, Susan"