Summer is heating up, and so is the impact we’re making together! 💛

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll meet a pet whose life was changed through your support, get the scoop on upcoming community events, learn more about our expanding veterinary services, and stay up to date on the latest happenings at FCNMHP. 😊

Let’s dive into a season full of compassion and progress! 🐾

🎉 Big News from Norwood! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce the grand reopening of our Norwood Spay/Neuter Center and Community Clinic—a milestone made possible by the success of our $2 million capital campaign and the generous support of this incredible community. 

We would like to an extend a special thanks to City Councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman for her investment in the project through funding from the City of Jacksonville Economic Development Fund. 🥰

While we celebrated with a ribbon-cutting, the real story is the life-saving impact this transformation will bring to pets and families across Northeast Florida. Thanks to critical renovations, we’ve:

✅ Expanded surgical and post-op space to increase our daily capacity.

✅ Created separate dog and cat intake areas to improve patient comfort and efficiency.

✅ Upgraded our air filtration systems for healthier working and recovery environments.

✅ Improved parking and safety features for staff and clients.

✅ Invested in new medical equipment to elevate diagnostics and care.

✅ Designed new spaces to better serve community cats while keeping pet cats safe.

These upgrades mean shorter wait times, more pets served, and even greater access to affordable, compassionate veterinary care—especially for those who need it most. 🐶🐱

We extend heartfelt thanks to those who made this transformation possible! 

👨‍⚕️ June Spay Day 👩‍⚕️

Our June Spay Day was a HUGE success—20 incredible students from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine came together to provide care and compassion to pets in need, giving  8 dogs and 7 cats a brighter, healthier future through spay and neuter services. 👏

Congratulations to ALL participating students. We'd also like to thank our two graduating seniors from the Class of 2025! Your dedication and heart shine bright, and we know you'll make a lasting impact in the world of veterinary medicine! 💙

Volunteer Spotlight: Lynn Reynolds

If you’ve ever stopped by our Pet Food Bank or attended one of our Paws-itive Wellness events, chances are you’ve met Lynn—an animal lover with a beautiful soul and a heart of gold. 💛

For the past five years, Lynn has been a dedicated volunteer and a true cornerstone of our First Coast family. Her tireless work behind the scenes is what makes our Pet Food Bank possible, ensuring that pets stay fed, healthy, and right where they belong—with the families who love them. 🥰

We’re beyond grateful for Lynn’s continued support and the love she shows every pet and person she helps! Volunteers like her are the heart of our mission. 🐾

🐶 Update: Even More Ways to Help Hungry Pets! 🐱

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve just added another drop-off location—bringing us to NINE places where you can donate pet food to help families in need! 🤩

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already donated—we’re truly grateful. And an extra special thanks to PetSense by Tractor Supply for partnering with us as our newest drop-off location! Your generosity is helping us reach more pets and families than ever before. 💙

🚨 But we’re still in urgent need of both dog and cat food. Our Pet Food Bank is struggling to meet demand, and every donation matters. 🚨

Prefer to donate online? Check out our Chewy Wishlist or Amazon Wishlist, both of which can be found on our website and social media platforms.

Want to donate in person? Now with NINE convenient drop-off locations across Northeast Florida, it's easier than ever to give!

Together, we can fight pet hunger and keep pets where they belong—at home, with the people who love them. ✨

Rene’s Fund Saves Lives and Finds New Homes for Homeless Pets 

Eight years ago, one of our former Board members, Rene Kurzius, created Rene’s Fund. This Fund (also generously funded by McCormick & Company) pays for medical care needed by homeless dogs and cats when the rescuer agrees to adopt the pet or to find it a home. 💗 

Since its establishment, nearly 2,000 dogs and cats have received needed veterinary care and have found new homes! 🐶🐱

Most recently, a kitten found by Joshua Ervin came to our clinic. Joshua wrote: 

While taking my dog for a walk the last three days, I could hear a kitten in distress in an abandoned property with a high fence. Last night, I decided it was time to act. I put on my gloves, headlight, and grabbed my ladder, and went through the woods to get this kitten. I found him on the 2nd-story roof all alone. After pleading with it for 30 minutes, it finally came to me. I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. trying to feed and nurse it back to health. 

The kitten was emaciated and had an eye abscess. Joshua brought the kitten to our veterinary hospital, and thanks to Rene’s Fund, was able to access the life-saving treatment the kitten desperately needed. 

And the best news? Joshua decided to adopt the kitten! 🥰

Rene’s Fund truly has made a difference in the lives of homeless pets—and their new families who love them! 🐾 

⭐ A Special Thanks to Travis and Margaret Storey ⭐

This past spring, we founded a group known as the Friends of Precious Paws. This special group is made up of individuals who have generously given $1,000 or more to support our mission. Members demonstrate a passion for making a difference in the lives of animals while celebrating the special bond pets share with their humans. 🥰

Each month, we will be featuring a list of our generous FOPP members.

This July, we are shouting out thanks to our Cat’s Meow members! 

For more information on how you can be a member of our Friends of Precious Paws, please contact Darby Stubberfield, CDO, at [email protected] or by phone at (904) 647-3751.

And please join us in thanking FOPP Cat's Meow members! 👏

🎉 We did it — and it’s all thanks to YOU! 🎉

With your incredible support, we not only met but exceeded our Matching Gift Challenge goal! Every dollar you gave was doubled by our generous Board of Directors, and together, you made twice the impact for pets like Cookie. 🐾💕

Your kindness is saving lives every single day, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for standing with us and the animals who need you most. 🙏💙