The 4Paws Rescue Team

Rescuing local cats & kittens, 4 paws at a time

Every year the cost of veterinary care consumes most of the money that 4Paws receives through donations and adoption fees. Most of these expenses are for routine medical care - each year a couple hundred adoptable cats get spayed and neutered; thousands of vaccines are given, and many feral cats are sterilized before being returned to their outside homes.

Caring for unwanted cats and kittens

Every day at 4Paws we get email, phone calls, personal pleas, begging us to take a stray cat out of the cold, shelter kittens whose time is up, or a long-time family pet with no one to care for him when his owneris deployed overseas. We take in as many cats as we have foster homes to accommodate.

Rescuing felines from local shelters

More than 100,000 cats wind up in Virginia animal shelters each year. Of those, more than half are euthanized. Recognizing this, the 4Paws Rescue Team makes a special effort to work with rural shelters that have the most over- crowded facilities and the highest euthanasia rates.

Trap-Neuter-Return programs (TNR)

4Paws supports Trap Neuter Return (TNR) programs in an effort to put an end to the needless suffering and unnecessary deaths that result from an out-of-control overpopulation problem. Through TNR programs, volunteers trap abandoned, stray, and feral cats that are living outside. These cats are examined by a vet before receiving vaccines and being spayed or neutered. After recovering from surgery, the feral cats are returned to their outside homes where they are fed by a caretaker each day.

Medical Emergencies

Brandy, a beautiful Siamese mix, came to 4Paws from a rural shelter. Her right paw had been mangled and severely infected after getting caught in a wild animal trap. Most of the flesh had fallen off and the shelter did not have the resources to treat her. Though initially expected to lose her leg, after months of medication, bandage changes, vet visits and dedicated care, Brandy retained full use of her paw and is now happy and playful.

Educating the community on the importance of Spay & Neuter

4Paws’ volunteers visit local schools to teach children the importance of responsible pet care.

Since inception in 1995 - The 4Paws Rescue Team has rescued almost 7,000 cats & kittens in the greater DC metro area.

Please consider designating 4Paws, CVC #3472 during your 2011 pledge so we can continue our efforts of saving local feline lives.

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