10/13/2026
After close to 10 years of working and rescue work 80-100 hours *every single week* (close to 7 with FF and 3 prior, minus the ones I take a mental health break), I, Misti, am officially stepping back.
I said I would slow down before my only child had a child of her own and I did not. She is now 3 years old.
Rescue is life consuming - especially when you’re in a position of “administration” / authority etc meaning you run a rescue or one of the “lead” type positions.
We are not closing, but I am no longer able to do all the things I currently do. At least for an undetermined amount of time, or I win the lotto or retire etc. people say to me at least once weekly “I don’t know how you do it”. Well, after 10 years - a decade(!) - I’m finally exhausted to the point I have to make hard decisions.
What that looks like is:
Feisty Felines will no longer have the backbone of TNR. We may have a volunteer who does a little here and there but the waiting list is going away - you know, the one that on average is 6.67 years worth of work for me on it right now. 🥺 I will finish the sites I’m working currently and I will not be starting new ones.
We have written down what we have learned and happy to share it (attached here below also).
As Fosters are clearing, we are not putting more cats there. We will have a few Fosters out of the prison program (thanks to Patty for stepping up to help!!) but most of our kitties will be fostered there. Edit to add: the prison would not be possible without Kristin, Ed, Roslyn, Nicole and (new helper) Kristen. ❤️ we have 22 Foster’s and about 50 cats in the prison program!! Thank you for all you do!
I will continue low cost spay and neuter to some degree. We may or may not have 2 runs every single month. Our website will give the latest info on dates and anyone messaging to ask will be referred to the website.
I will work on bills, taxes, fundraisers, help support Kristin with adoption posts and other ways I can and I will be changing my focus to work on building a clinic with a kind donor we have. I just could not add to my plate and to do something else, something has to give and unless someone hands me a winning lotto, then unfortunately I still have like 20 years of working full time. Most people who run rescues do not also work full time jobs. I also have all the duties around my home plus helping with my granddaughter.
We are scaling back and then figuring out what is manageable outside of the prison program.
Thank you everyone for your support in this time. ❤️🙏
TNR tips! Here’s how anyone can do what we do!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zo1RR59-T7OeblQ6JOiEwBFwcwFrwYMZoNtdy61L_Hk/edit?usp=drivesdk
