Furry & Feathered Critter Care

09/15/2026

Happy 6th Birthday to one of FFCC’s longtime good boys, Ice! 🥳🐾

Ice has been part of the FFCC family for years! Normally we get to see this handsome boy for his regular drop-in visits, but this year he even got to come stay with us for a couple of weeks, and Autumn and I loved every second of having him around. ❤️

He is genuinely SUCH a good boy. We’ve been so lucky to get to know him and watch him grow up over the years! 🎉

Happy 6th birthday, Ice!! Here’s to many, many more birthdays together… not that you’re showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon! ❤️🐾

Everyone wish Ice a happy birthday!! 🎂

08/28/2026

WAIT!!! LOOK WHO JUST POPPED UP ON MY FEED! 😭❤️

You guys actually haven’t met this little girl yet, but this is Ivy, one of Dumpster Dogs’ quieter little rescue stories!

Ivy came to us after one of my FFCC clients reached out because a sweetheart of a kitten had appeared on her property. There was just one small problem… her dog, also named Ivy, was VERY interested in eating her. 😂

Ivy’s mom did exactly the right thing and reached out for help. I went out, scooped up the tiniest little kitty, and naturally ended up naming her after the dog who found her. 😂❤️

I’ve been waiting to see her officially posted as ready for adoption, and today is the day! She’s safe, healthy, growing up, and officially available through the Humane Society of Charles County. Seeing her little “Adopt Me!” photos pop up this morning made my heart SO happy.

I couldn’t foster Ivy myself because Shrimpy and Tuna have me at kitty capacity, but FFCC was able to sponsor her adoption fee. ❤️

So now all she needs is someone to fall in love with that ridiculous little face and give her the forever home she deserves! Whoever adopts her, PLEASE keep in touch. I would absolutely love to see this little girl again and watch her grow up. 🥹

I’m dropping her rescue day photo in the comments so you can see just how tiny she was!

Check out the Humane Society of Charles County’s original post for adoption information and PLEASE share. Maybe Ivy’s person is already on your friends list. ❤️🐾

🐾🌸 MEET IVY! 🌸🐾

Looking for a little adventure buddy with a whole lot of love to give? 💕 Ivy is your girl! 🐱✨

This sweet and friendly kitten is full of curiosity and loves exploring the world around her. 🌿🐾 Whether she’s checking out her surroundings, chasing toys, or soaking up some attention, Ivy is always ready for her next adventure! 😻
Now, this adorable girl is searching for something extra special… her FUREVER home! 🏡💗
Could you be the family Ivy has been waiting for? Come meet her and let this little sweetheart steal your heart! 🥰🐾
✨ Ivy’s wish list:
🐱 A loving forever family
🧶 Plenty of toys and adventures
💕 Lots of love and attention
🏡 A home where she can grow, play, and be spoiled rotten!
📍 Humane Society of Charles County
🐾 Stop by and meet Ivy today!

https://humanesocietycc.org/services/adopt/available-cats.html

08/28/2026

I can finally officially say it… I’M GOING BACK TO COLLEGE! 🎓

On September 2 (somehow literally next week?!) I’ll officially start at Salisbury University as a full-time student working toward my Bachelor of Social Work!

I was also incredibly lucky to receive a partial scholarship, which makes this whole thing even more exciting… and maybe just a little more nerve-wracking! You know… no pressure to keep my grades up or anything. 😂

This is something I’m genuinely SO excited about. My long-term goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, and I would love to eventually incorporate animal-assisted therapy into my work. Animals have shaped so much of my life and career, and the idea that someday I could combine that experience with helping people feels incredibly right.

But don’t worry… Furry & Feathered Critter Care isn’t going anywhere! My program is entirely online, so I get to keep doing the work I love with all of your critters while working toward this next part of my life. My schedule may shift here and there as I figure out full-time school again, but we’ll figure it out together.

FFCC clients should have just received an email from me with the actual boring-but-important stuff like class times, scheduling changes, communication guidelines, and what all of this means for bookings. Please check your email for the more in-depth details!

I also feel ridiculously lucky that so many FFCC clients have become friends and genuinely feel like part of my little extended family. I know so many of you are going to be just as excited to watch me do this as I am to finally be doing it, and that means a lot to me.

I earned my associate degree at the College of Southern Maryland as a Hawk, and now it’s finally time to soar into my next chapter as a Salisbury Gull. 🐦🎓

Here’s to the beginning of the road to:
Morgan Bussey, LCSW ❤️

08/24/2026

🐾 HUGE PET GEAR YARD SALE — HELP SHRIMPY & TUNA GET READY FOR ADOPTION! 🐾

I have officially gone through YEARS worth of accumulated pet supplies, rescue gear, dog stuff, cat stuff, bird stuff, and miscellaneous “I might need this someday” stuff… and it is time for it to GO. 😂

The good news: my inability to get rid of things is now benefiting the rescue!

Everything in this album is being sold to help cover Shrimpy & Tuna’s upcoming spay/neuter surgeries and continued veterinary care as we get these two little monsters ready for adoption! 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

And yes — that means Shrimpy & Tuna will be officially looking for their forever homes VERY soon. 👀

There is a LOT in this sale, including:

🐶 Dog harnesses, collars, leashes & walking gear
🦴 Slow feeders, bowls, lick mats & enrichment supplies
🧩 Dog puzzles & trick-training equipment
📡 PetSafe wireless & in-ground containment systems
📍 Tractive GPS & health trackers
🎒 Kurgo dog gear
✂️ Grooming equipment
👕 Dog clothes, sweaters & costumes
🐦 Large bird flight cage
🐱 Cat towers
🐴 Horse tack/equestrian items
📺 TVs
🪑 Desk + office chair
…and a whole bunch of other random pet and household stuff!

Most items are priced to move, and I’m very open to reasonable offers — especially if you’re taking multiple things.

🚨 PLEASE READ:

• Prices and descriptions are on the individual photos in the album.
• Bundle discounts are absolutely available. The more you take, the more willing I am to make a deal!
• Most bundles can be separated unless the individual listing says otherwise — I mostly grouped related things together to make photographing 800 pieces of pet equipment slightly less painful. 😂
• Pickup is available in Southern Maryland.
• I can potentially DELIVER for an additional fee depending on where you are/my existing travel schedule.
• I’m also willing to SHIP many of the smaller items if the buyer covers shipping.
• Everything is first come/first served unless arrangements have been made.

Please feel free to share this post — especially with dog people, cat people, bird people, horse people, trainers, groomers, pet sitters, fosters, rescues, or that one friend who somehow comes home with a new animal every six months. 😂

Every purchase gets some stuff OUT OF MY HOUSE and puts money toward getting two rescue kittens healthy, fixed, and ready for their forever families, so it’s a win-win. ❤️

🐱 Shrimpy & Tuna say thank you! 🐱

Check out the full album and comment/message me if you want anything! And who knows… I may add to this as I continue to go through my items so check back in often!

06/16/2026

About a week ago, I took my service dogs, Bongo and Orca, as well as the kittens, Shrimpy and Tuna, to a Tractor Supply vaccine clinic. The dogs needed heartworm prevention, and the kittens were supposed to get their very first vaccines. Unfortunately, they ended up being just a little too young, so we'll be heading back soon for another try!

Normally, these clinics are a bit more chaotic, but this time there wasn't really a line. Instead, I was told to walk around the store and wait for a text when it was our turn. Since people often ask how I manage multiple animals in public, I thought I'd take a quick video.
As you can see, the dogs are paying attention to me and responding to my commands despite all the distractions around them. Even off duty and not wearing their service dog gear, it's clear these two take their jobs seriously.

The dogs did great, the kittens got a fun field trip, and everyone handled the outing like pros.
Four animals, one person, no biggie. 🤷🏼‍♂️💝

06/13/2026

We're here and all set up at Gale-Bailey Elementary School's Color Run!

Shrimpy and Tuna were excited to get dressed for the occasion and even tried on their new collars and bandanas. Unfortunately, they're still so tiny that even the extra-small cat collars are too big for them!

Meanwhile, Bongo is already getting into the Color Run spirit. A few visitors have stopped by to use our pet-safe markers, so he's already looking quite colorful! 🎨🐾

If you're at the Color Run today, come stop by and say hello! Meet Shrimpy and Tuna, give Bongo some love, and check out what Furry & Feathered Critter Care is all about.

We're looking forward to cheering on all the runners and spending the day with this amazing community. 🌈🐶🐱🏃‍♀️💜

06/12/2026

Very exciting news! FFCC will be a vendor at yet another event… and this one is tomorrow! I definitely meant to post this like a week ago. I'll figure out how to remember to post things on social media eventually, right? 🤷🏼‍♂️

We'll be at Gale-Bailey Elementary School's Color Run supporting all the runners and enjoying a fun day with the community.

Shrimpy and Tuna will be making an appearance, and my service dog, Bongo, will be there too. He may or may not end up a little more colorful by the end of the event... I'll be bringing his pet-safe dye crayons if anyone would like to "leave their mark" on him. This is what he gets for being mostly white at a color run... ha! 😂

Bruno (who should be adoptable soon!) and Orca (my other personal dog) will be staying home enjoying the air conditioning, but I'll have information available for anyone interested in learning more about Bruno.

This event is especially meaningful because we were invited by Assistant Principal Megan Parsons, who was one of my very first clients way back in my Rover days. Her beloved beagle/poodle mix, Bailey, was such a special dog, and the "Bailey Bundle," which gives discounts for 5x-a-week walks, is named in her honor. I still miss our daily walks together. I'm so glad I got to be there during her final chapter and help care for her when she needed it most. 💕

Megan has continued to support FFCC through every stage of its growth, even after Bailey's passing, and seeing that support come full circle with an invitation to this event is incredibly special. I'm so lucky to call her a friend.

If you're attending the Color Run, be sure to stop by and say hello! We'd love to meet you, answer any questions you have about FFCC or Dumpster Dogs Animal Rescue, or just reward yourself for running in this heat with some cool water and kitten snuggles.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in rainbow colors tomorrow! 🌈🏃‍♂️

06/09/2026

I'm a little late posting (as always...), but I really wanted to share this!

The day before Charles County Pride, I got a vague message from Luna's dad asking if I'd be available to let her out, but to keep it a secret from Luna's mom. I even made sure not to send an invoice or confirmation email so I wouldn't accidentally spoil the surprise!

Then, while I was at Pride, I learned the reason for all the secrecy… they had just gotten engaged!

To celebrate, I made this special little photo for Luna's report card. It was such a fun way to mark such exciting news. With permission from Luna’s parents, I wanted to share it with all of you too!

Congratulations to the happy couple! I'm wishing you both all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter together. One less thing to worry about during wedding planning is Luna… I've got that covered! 💙🐾

06/05/2026

Levi’s owner has been a client of mine for a few months now. It breaks his heart to have to do this. I would foster him myself if I had the room, but with Bruno and the kittens I just can’t. Please reach out if you know anyone who wants a great dog!

06/02/2026

With the start of Pride Month here, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate what an amazing day Charles County Pride 2026 was!

I've been dealing with some online bullying since my post about vending at Pride. I don't want to give the haters the attention they so desperately want, and I wasn't going to post anything... but I want to bring attention to the love that showed up to drown out the hate instead.

Within minutes, friends and clients were already flooding the comments with love. Not because they had to, but because they care about me, believe in what I do, and wanted me to know I wasn't standing alone.

At Pride, people went out of their way to stop by the booth and tell me they were proud of me. Other vendors came over to congratulate me on finally joining them with a booth of my own after talking about it for years.

I don't really know what to do or what to say when someone tells me they're proud of me, but hearing it over and over throughout the day meant more than I can put into words.

It's easy to let a few negative voices take up too much space in your head. Charles County Pride reminded me that those voices are not the majority.

I'm proud to be from Southern Maryland, and I refuse to hide that I am here and q***r. Being q***r is just as much a part of who I am as living on the Potomac is.

What I saw at Pride was a community full of kindness, acceptance, support, and love.

I won't be leaving.

On a lighter note, I was asked if I would “do a wedding” (bringing a pet to and from the ceremony and possibly boarding or housesitting while they're on their honeymoon…) I said absolutely! If that actually happens, I'll be sure to post about it.

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by the booth, met my fosters, or simply complimented my rainbow hair. Days like this remind me why I do what I do, and why I do it openly.

Of course, I didn't take nearly enough photos, but I spent the day talking about my passions, my work, and all the animals who have been part of this journey.

And a huge shout out to my mom, Nena, for waking up at the crack of dawn to help me. I couldn't have held down the fort (or the tent, which tried very hard to blow away in the wind) without you, Mom. And I'm sorry your head personally tested the structural integrity of the tent more than once.

Q***r visibility can be uncomfortable at times. Sometimes it can be dangerous. But it's so, so necessary. Because somewhere right now in Charles County, there is a kid being told they don't belong. A kid who doesn't see people like them in their community. A kid who needs to know they are entitled to build a life and thrive out here in rural Southern Maryland too.

Happy Pride Month, y’all 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✌🏻