Winter 2018

Thank you for checking out our website! If you have outdoor cat issues, please
contact us at cats@wifcap.org or call Lois at 402-639-9007

 Please remember...We are not a rescue and cannot remove cats from locations or come to pick up strays.  Please contact your local animal control or city hall.

Western Iowa's Feral and Homeless Cat Program is nearly six years old in an official sense.   We have been working to help outdoor homeless or feral cats for nearly ten years, however.  Using the effective method of TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate and return), we have been able to help over 2200 cats in Western Iowa so far. Time flies when you are having fun, working hard and fulfilling a great need.

Please browse around our site.  Click on the pages to the right to gain lots of information about TNR, stray and feral cats, barn cats and much more.

We value you as supporters and hope you will stick around and see what a small grassroots effort can do.

Your tax deductible donation can be made by clicking the donate button on the upper left or right side of this page or mail check to WIFCaP 1116 Tower Ridge Dr. Council Bluffs, Ia  51503

Annual Garage Sale - June 3, 2017

June 3rd
710 Antique City Drive
Walnut, Ia  51577
8am -4pm
Cupcake sale! ( get them while they last!)

No items priced!  You pay what you feel the items are worth and what you want to donate to help more kitties in Western Iowa!

I know it seems like we go from one fundraiser to the next.  That is because we do!   Our monthly vet bill runs an average of $2-3,000.    While we seem to be able to get the cats trapped and transported and in for their "spa treatment", we don't have the staff to try to work on grants.  Have you ever tried writing a grant?  I have, and it's not fun.   What I've learned about most grant writing is that it is meticulous and detailed and once it's written and submitted, you are not guaranteed to receive any funds.  And if you are granted the funds, your work isn't done.  You must then substantiate every penny you've received. The other thing I've learned is that most grants want you to project a future project and write it for that.   We are in a very unpredictable business.  We must act immediately when we hear of a cat issue.  To wait is not an option, or we worsen the problem.  We must stay focused on our mission of TNR.   Honestly, the vast majority of the daily work we do is done by Lois and myself.  We are kept very busy with phone calls, emails, face book, trapping, transporting etc.  The accounting etc has fallen on Lois too, and Kathy does the face book and fundraising.  Both of us trap, but mostly Lois (stinks getting older) .  We are still small, very small.   

All this being said, we are so grateful to our other volunteers that step up for events like this Garage Sale!   We will be having a cupcake sale that is going to be totally funded and run by two of our wonderful volunteers, Judy and Susan.   Last year the cupcakes were so beautiful and yummy!    Becky and Molly should be on board to help during the sale too.    

We look to our supporters to keep us going and for almost six years now, you have not let us down.   We love you all !  

Please come out on June 3rd to help us stash away another couple weeks of funds for the kitties!  We would love to see you and give you personal headbutts and whisker kisses!

Our goal is $500!

Kathy

SAVE THE DATE!

It is that time of year again!   The Omaha Community Foundation along with Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is sponsoring this one day giving event once more!

This event happens on Wednesday May 24, 2017

GIVE NOW by scheduling your donation

This is 24 hour event, you our supporter can donate to OmahaGives and not only will we get your donation, but we will also be eligible for prizes and awards!  There are hourly prizes, and random prizes graciously sponsored by local businesses. 

We have a Challenge Fund of $$2900 These are pledged donations to match your dollars as they come in.

Last year, our goal was $10,000.  We came SO close and gained just under!   

This year our goal again is $10,000.  Can we do it?  Can you help?

If you can only give once a year, this would be the time to do so.   With the matching Challenge Funds and the potential in prize money, your dollars will go much farther to help more kitties in Western Iowa.

GIVE NOW by scheduling your donation.

For all details of Omahagives Click here!

"WIFCaP" continues to be a small grassroots effort run completely by volunteers!

We are pleased and honored to be part of this awesome event again in 2017 and we cherish your support!

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Idea Brought to Fruition!

Several years ago, while trying to trap a semi feral farm cat that simply would not enter a trap, the wonderful caregiver had the idea to drop a cardboard box over the cat.  He had cut a flap on one end.  Once in the trap, he weighted the box down so the cat couldn't scoot away...then we put a transfer cage flush with the flap opened it with a string attached and threaded thru the top of the cage and the cat fled...right into the transfer cage.  It was cumbersome and "iffy" if the cat would actually stay in the box long enough to transfer, but it worked.   Then some time later, on another farm, another caretaker had many cats that were tame enough for him to pet (not pick up) and they would circle his legs and eat in his presence.  He suggested it would be good if we had something to lower over them and said how easy it would be to get some of these semi-friendly cats that needed help.   The ideas from those two men rolled in my head and I started seriously thinking about it.   A hand held drop trap...something with a removable bottom was just what we needed.   We would need to lower it over the cat...put the bottom in and lock it and then we needed a "gate" to open one end so that we could release and remove the cat as needed.   I talked to several people before I found
Chuck at Northern Industries, who agreed to work with us and create this new tool for TNR.   It's finally done and is on the market!  You can order one here:   CaP Trap

CAP TRAP - Original design by WIFCaP!

Not only has Chuck brought our idea into reality, he is sharing a percentage of the sales on this item with us!  This will be a wonderful source of funds for WIFCaP because we know how well it works and every TNR group should have one in their arsenal of TNR tools.   Chuck also will give 7.5% of ANY sale from his website if you mention WIFCap or Western Iowa's Feral and Homeless Cat Program.  

We are so grateful to Chuck for being community minded and understanding the importance of TNR.  See all their wonderful trapping equipment here.... Northern Industries  Be sure to mention WIFCaP or Western Iowa's Feral and Homeless Cat Program when you order anything from this site!   Thank you for helping us help other kitties like this !