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.

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.