FCNMHP in Jacksonville Florida

Thank goodness for First Coast No More Homeless Pets - FCNMHP in Jacksonville, Florida! First Coast No More Homeless Pets is first and foremost for the animals! Jacksonville, Florida is blessed to have First Coast No More Homeless Pets FCNMHP, a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.

This organization is now working hand-in-hand with the City of Jacksonville, Animal Care and Control, and the Jacksonville Humane Society to help with the spaying and neutering of feral cats.

"We the cats of First Coast No More Homeless Pets ...
hear, see and speak no evil!"
Photo Credit: The Incredibly Adorable Cats of www.fcnmhp.org

FCNMHP opened a temporary cat clinic in 2008 to handle upwards of 40 cats per day; today their new clinic can handle upwards of 200 spay and neuters daily! They are also offering vaccinations for cats and dogs.

This lens page is dedicated to this fine organization hoping to bring more visibility to the FCNMHP and to also help them with their fund raising. FCNMHP is my earmarked pet charity for the past several years. I am happy to report that for the calendar year of 2009, it was a banner year as I donated over $3,000 directly to them! Thanks Squidoo for helping to make this possible!!!

The FCNMHP Poll
First Coast No More Homeless Pets : Jacksonville, FL - Do you know about this organization?

• Yes! I am a volunteer.
• Yes, I actually work for/with.
• Yes, I have adopted my pet from them.
• Yes, I have had my pet spayed/neutered by them.
• I know of FCNMHP.
• Actually, more than one of the above!

Six Rescued Kittens at Three Weeks - June 2014

Another six lives from one mommy cat! It is so important that you do the right thing and have your cats spayed or neutered. Here are six little ones who came into the world in late May 2014. Their mommy was out and about and made a connection or two with some studly male cats.

FCNMHP Founded in 2001

FCNMHP was founded in 2001 when Rick DuCharme, founder and president, developed the SpayJax program in response to a request by the City of Jacksonville for a city funded spay/neuter program.

Following SpayJax, SpayNassau was developed along with two other low-cost programs.

In 2006, our Trap-Neuter-Return program was developed to offer low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for feral and stray cats. –www.fcnmhp.org.

6817 Norwood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32208

eMail: fcnmhp@fcnmhp.org

Hotline: 904-425-0005; toll-free: 866-580-SPAY (7729).

Since 2003 we have facilitated over 24,000 pet sterilizations in the First Coast area. We have seen an overall reduction in pet intake of approximately 31%, and reductions in puppy and kitten intake of 44% and 52%. Prior to our programs, admissions and euthanasia were increasing by as much as 10% annually.

SpayJax/SpayNassau: SpayJax and SpayNassau are income qualified programs that offer free spay and neuter surgeries for individuals meeting the specified guidelines. Both of these programs include a rabies vaccination. Update 5/1/08: SpayJax is a city funded program and with the recent budget cuts we are not able to offer the free SpayJax surgery program at this time. SpayNassau is funded partially by Nassau County and partially by a welfare group; therefore we still have the funding and are able to offer free surgeries to Nassau County residents with appropriate proof of residency within the county. Call the spay/neuter hotline for more information 904-425-0005. Please see our other programs below for spay/neuter assistance, these programs offer heavily reduced surgery rates.

Spayathon: Spayathon is a low-cost option for individuals that do not qualify under SpayJax or SpayNassau. Surgery prices are heavily discounted and offered through participating veterinarians. Spayathon is a voucher program and a $5 donation is required for each voucher. In order to receive discounted prices a voucher must be presented. A rabies vaccination is also included under this program (other fees may apply.) This program is available to Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Bradford counties.

Low-Cost: Our Low-Cost program is open to anyone not qualifying under the other programs. Surgeries are discounted and available through participating veterinarians. Rabies vaccination is not included (other fees may apply.) This program is available to Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Bradford counties.

Feral and Stray Cat: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Our TNR program is available to all Duval and Nassau County residents caring for feral and stray cat colonies. For information on cost per surgery, location of spay/neuter clinic, and to schedule an appointment; call the spay/neuter hotline at 904-425-0005. All cats must arrive to the clinic in a humane trap, no exceptions. Humane traps are available for loan and require a $50 deposit per trap.

Chart of surgeries, euthanasia and overall shelter intake

Fee Schedule for Cat Services
The vaccination clinic for cats AND dogs is open every Saturday from 10-3. It is first come first service; no appointments.

Rabies Vaccination $10.00
Application of Flea Prevention $8.00
Deworming (Tapeworms via injection) $8.00
Deworming (Topical, 1 application) $12.00
Distemper/Panleuk Combination Vaccine $8.00
Feline Leukemia/FIV test $18.00
Leukemia Vaccine $10.00
Microchip $25.00
Nail Trim $10.00

Indoor/Outdoor Cat Annual $65 ($42 w/o microchip) (includes Distemper, Rabies, Leukemia vaccine, microchip, deworming and flea prevention application

Indoor Cat Annual $55 ($32 w/o microchip) (includes Distemper, Rabies, microchip, deworming and flea prevention

New Cat Annual $83 ($60 w/o microchip) (includes Distemper, Rabies, Leukemia vaccine, deworming, Leukemia/FIV test, microchip & flea prevention application)

The mission of First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP) is to eliminate the killing of dogs and cats in our community through free and low-cost spay and neuter programs.

Are you a supporter of your local Humane Society? Do you already know about the FCNMHP? Have you donated to such an organization?

History: First Coast No More Homeless Pets was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 21, 2008. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,494 overall. Lens #351 in the quest for Giant Squid 400 Club.

Stray Cats of Mandarin

Country Club Cats

Country Club Cats of DeerCreek: I've written quite a bit about those Country Club Cats of DeerCreek. Through my many web pages, you've gotten to know Bandit, Boots, Precious, Pug, and Tigger up close and personal. Over the years, I have worked with First Coast No More Homeless Pets in Jacksonville, Florida, to spay and neuter and return the feral cats to the colony. We also worked closely with Animal Care and Control along with St. Francis Animal Hospital and Wells Road Veterinary Animal Center to care for these cats.

With the finalization of my divorce, I gave up my home in DeerCreek Country Club to the ex. The care of the feral colony of country club cats subsequently fell upon his shoulders. DeerCreek is a gated community; I no longer have access to visiting or caring for these precious cats who were like family to me. In a sense, I have grieved for the "loss" of these cats. I can't possibly explain what it feels like to be separated from them.

Stray Cats of Mandarin: I have now moved a zip code away from DCCC. Keeping in mind, that I dearly miss those Country Club Cats, I am now visited almost daily by some new cats who seem to have found me! I call these cats, the "Stray Cats of Mandarin." First up, is Mr. Blackie. I met Mr. Blackie the first week I moved in. I first saw him last Summer, sitting in the street with an orange cat. Then he started coming to my back door. A neighbor tells me that he is a stray that the neighbors take care of; but I haven't found out if he has a real home.

Please meet another mister, Orange the Cat. Oh, I haven't yet penned a name for either of these two tomcats. It's interesting to see the interaction between the black and orange male cats; they have a mutual respect for each other. They don't fight with each other thankfully! Mr. Blackie is a bit more friendly, whilst Mr. Orange is a bit skittish.

The third cat is a beautiful white cat with a fluffy gray tail and a patch of gray on its left side with some gray markings on its face. I think this cat is a female and surely must be an inside cat that got out. Only two times have I noticed this cat at my back door.

Well, I hope you enjoyed meeting the Stray Cats of Mandarin. We weren't trying to sell you anything today, but just wanted to share a love and an appreciation for our feline friends.

By the way, perhaps you are a neighbor of mine and recognize these cats? I'd surely love to track down the owners. I believe both Mr. Blackie and Mr. Orange would benefit from neutering ... I'm guessing they need to be neutered judging from the size of their packages! Also, Mr. Blackie hurt his right paw and was limping for several days. Please contact me through my comments if you know anything about these cats or their owners. Thanks!  Love thy neighbor ... love thy feline friends too!

--I am Jaguar Julie, the Cat Lady!

2014 UPDATE: On May 20, 2014, I spotted another white cat hanging around my backyard daily. Upon taking a closer look, it appeared she was pregnant! Oh dear. Such a beautiful mommy cat who surely shouldn't be out roaming the neighborhood. I was wondering to whom this adorable cat might belong. Could it be the pet of the next door neighbor's son who lives miles away? That neighbor doesn't really like cats, so maybe she put the little girl outside? By the first of June, I realized she had delivered.

It was many days before the neighbor two doors down asked if I had seen the white cat. We talked about all that had transpired. Then she told me, "I have her kittens in my bushes." That was on a Monday. After all the commotion with the neighbor telling another neighbor and so forth and so on, mommy cat moved the babies. It was not until Friday morning that I was able to tail mommy after her feeding and rescue the little ones. Oh my, I am now providing care for the found mommy cat and her six little kittens in Mandarin, Florida.

September 11, 2014: I just received word the other day from Jen at ACPS to give me an update on the white mommy calico cat and her three female kittens. On September 5th, the white kitten and the calico kitten were both adopted by the same family. On September 6th, the orange female tabby kitten was adopted by another family. And, it has now been two weeks since the mommy cat got placed in the Wild Whiskers program. I am not allowed to know anything about the adopters of the cat and six kittens. That makes me real sad. I asked that my personal information be shared with them ... and I am thinking that information didn't get passed on either. Why all the secrecy? You know, we have had a number of pet hoarding cases with the animals being rescued. Do they NOT tell people adopting any cat or dog from the agency to protect the fact of where these animals came from in the first place?

I'm feeling a little sad in that I poured all my time and energy into the care of the seven felines, to ensure that they would have the best start on their lives. Now, I only have the satisfaction of thinking of them in the context of the time they spent with me. Nothing more; nothing less.

A difference in medical opinion oh boy

Submit each day to God, knowing that He is God over all your tomorrows. When God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.

For those of my loyal followers and readers, you know that I've written about my mom and her momerisms. What are momerisms you might ask? They are what we credit to our lifelong mentors -- our moms. All of their wisdom, humor and down-home sage advice. I've been quite thankful to have such a mom who is incredibly intelligent as well. I've poked, prodded and nudged her to get out more often to share her remarkable wit and intelligence online with my friends and followers. She's at least made an appearance ... now we can only hope for the best. 

So, what did I do the other day when I was faced with a heartbreaking dilemna? The thought that one of our beloved stray country club cats, Pug, might have a broken leg? You see, I had called a half dozen pet care facilities to try and arrange affordable care. After all, I was attached to this cat despite the fact she was not one of my pets. I had previously cared for her when she had a deep gash type wound in her left side -- oh, that only cost $152.49 at Saint Francis Animal Hospital. Not a huge amount of money, but a bit of an investment for a stray cat.

On Friday, I took Pug to First Coast No More Homeless Pets FCNMHP on the northside of Jacksonville. Thank God for FCNMHP -- I thank them as do many other residents of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida! We are so thankful that they opened their new clinic that can handle up to 200 spay and neuter procedures daily.

The capable vet at FCNMHP did her exam of Pug, manipulating Pug's leg and hip. She thought the hip joint seemed enlarged or swollen. I was thankful when she initially said there would be no need to amputate the leg as the limb wasn't necrotic -- "Such a limb injury should heal," she said. Yeah! However upon further exam, it was shown that Pug was sensitive about her head. Her pupils were two different sizes and one of her eyes has a cataract. "Let's put her on the floor and watch her," said the vet. It was but a few seconds of watching Pug try to stand and then walk. She was quite unsteady on her feet, particularly her back feet. "It looks like vestibular disease," said the vet. Oh no, I'm thinking! That sounds worse than a broken leg.

So FCNMHP completed the exam of Pug, giving her subcutaneous fluids and writing a prescription for Amoxicillin Suspension. It was recommended that I take Pug to a full-service vet who could do a pelvic spine x-ray and a complete examination with labs to check her bodily functions. I was seeing $$s dollar signs you all. Gosh, poor Pug.

I arrived at Saint Francis Animal Hospital about twenty-five minutes later. As it was lunch time, Pug couldn't be seen right away. Luckily, I guess, she was a returning patient from September 11, 2008, so she was in their system already. I opted to leave her with the paperwork I had from her FCNMHP visit. It was about 4pm when I returned to pick-up Pug. They dispensed Prednisone, Clavamox Drops, and Animax for me to administer to Pug. Hello out there to all of you who have had to give a sick cat a pill. As of this writing, I still have not attempted the Prednisone pill -- at least it's a small one. This morning we worked on our technique for the Clavamox Drops -- I'm not sure how much of the 1ml dose went down Pug's throat.

We've got Pug settled now in our guest bathroom. Since she is too loopy or wobbly to negotiate a litter box, I've got newspapers and a towel down on part of the floor. In another area, I've placed a low container of fresh water. The vet gave us 3 cans of A/D cat food -- Pug ate a bit of that last night, but doesn't seem to be very hungry today. It's dificult at best to determine if there is any improvement in her condition since we found her on Wednesday. She still tries to get up and walk but her back legs give out on her.

Pug has a follow-up exam on Tuesday with Saint Francis Animal Hospital. The results from her labs should be in by then and we hope to take it from there. You know what's so ironic about caring for an animal is that more has been spent on their care than on mine! Isn't it just incredible how much it costs these days to take an animal or pet to the vet? It'll break your wallet!


I know a little about a difference in medical opinion as in Pug's case, with the possible diagnosis of a broken leg, I got a difference in medical opinion. One person said it would cost me a couple thousands of dollars for surgery for the break along with dressing changes and follow-up care -- Oh boy! Next person said I should euthanize the animal -- Oh boy! Third person said I should amputate the leg -- Oh boy indeed!!!

So, back to the momerisms! Mom sends me this email today with the comment, "Boy, if this doesn't hit the nail on the head, I don't know what does!" Yes, mom! It hits the nail right smack dab on that head -- it sure does. And, I thank you for this.
 
Two different doctor's offices -- Hey, wouldn't you know it? It is a difference in medical opinion!

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery scheduled for 6 months from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The FIRST is a Golden Retriever. The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

Next time take me to a vet!

FCNMHP new clinic

Great news for NE Florida -- FCNMHP new clinic! Over the past couple of weeks, I've received a few invites to the "Hard Hat Party" that First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP) is having this Saturday. Thank you Raquel! The new clinic has been a dream of many a supporter of FCNMHP.

The invitation:

You are cordially invited to a special preview for supporters! First Coast No More Homeless Pets is opening one of the largest high volume & high quality spay/neuter clinics in the country!

HARD HAT PARTY
-OPEN HOUSE-
Saturday, February 21, 2009 ▪ 5-8 pm
6817 Norwood Avenue – Jacksonville, FL 32208

Click here for Map!

For more information or for Sponsor opportunities call 904.316.2262. Join us and help end the needless killing of cats and dogs on the First Coast!

FCNMHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are 100% tax deductable!

We hope to be able to attend this "Hard Hat Party" to show our support for FCNMHP and all the animals who are benefiting from this fine organization.

Want to know more about FCNMHP? Visit their website. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so directly to FCNMHP through their website.

Don't call us we'll call you

The funniest thing happened the other day; not ha-ha kind of funny, but curiously ironic kind of funny. You see, I am one of those stone age type of gals who is NOT physically-connected to her cell phone. Yep, that's right -- I know you probably find this pretty surprising. My cell phone is used primarily in case of emergencies, like a fire extinguisher. In case I get a flat tire, run out of gas, god forbid I have an accident -- you know!

I am sitting at work, and I've been thinking for a few days that my cell phone has a problem. "It simply won't hold a charge and I never HEAR it ring." That's what I told dear old hubby. Hey, even our printer said so -- he told me he called me several times the week before yet I never heard his call. Yep, I saw a message from the printer saved on the phone, but I never heard it ring! So, back to I'm sitting at work, and THE PHONE RINGS! Yikes, loud and clear -- too loud in fact. "Hello," I say in my ever-so-sweet cell phone answering voice. "Lemmee speak to Sean!" the curt female voice shouts out. "Hey, ya got the wrong number!!" I respond.

So, I guess my cell phone does work after all. But, funny thing ... it was a wrong number! Figures, doesn't it?

P.S. That cat is working with me to promote First Coast No More Homeless Pets and all the fine things that they do in our community. Want to know more about them? Not only do they help with the spaying and neutering of feral cats in Northeastern Florida, but they are now providing vaccinations for domestic pets!