Thanks to you, August was filled with milestones, heartwarming recoveries, and powerful examples of what happens when a community comes together for pets in need. 😊

In this newsletter, you’ll meet a pet saved through Rosie’s Fund, celebrate the incredible achievement of 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries through our STVP program, and see how targeted trapping is making an impact right here in 32210.

Every story featured is a reflection of YOUR kindness—whether it’s helping deliver supplies, sharing your “why we give,” or donating newspapers to keep our pets comfortable after surgery.

Thank you for helping us create brighter futures for pets and the people who love them! ❤️

Rosie’s Fund Matching Campaign!

Rosie's Fund is a lifesaving initiative focused on reducing the overpopulation of community cats by providing free spay and neuter surgeries. 🐈

Right now, every gift you give to Rosie’s Fund will go twice as far to help pets in need! 

From now until September 30, the Joseph Strasser Trust and two incredible donors have pledged to match every donation to Rosie's Fund up to $50,000! 

That means twice the surgeries, twice the lifesaving treatments, and twice the second chances for the pets who need them most. 

Donate today! With your support, we can reach this important goal and ensure no community cat is left without care. ❤️‍🩹

Rosie’s Fund: Targeted Relaunch

We’re excited to announce the return of Rosie’s Fund, with a strategic goal of reducing community cat overpopulation in Duval County. This initiative focuses on areas identified as high-priority hotspots due to the large number of unaltered community cats. 

Our updated initiative aims to continue providing vital care to our community cats — and we need your help to make it a success! 🙏

Program Details:

🔷 FREE spay/neuter surgeries for community cats trapped in ZIP code 32210!

🔷 A $25 co-pay will apply to community cats from non-targeted zip codes outside of 32210.

🔷 All cats will receive a rabies and FVRCP vaccine at no additional charge!

Requirements & Guidelines:

🔷 Duval County residency must be verified by confirmation of a valid driver’s license.

🔷 Limit of 2 community cat surgeries per person per day!

🔷 For cats from ZIP Code 32210, there is no monthly limit at this time, and for cats from non-targeted zip codes, there is a limit of 6 cats per month.

Why Do We Track?

Spaying and neutering community cats is a critical part of reducing overpopulation, preventing disease, and improving the well-being of both the cats and the neighborhoods they inhabit. 

By recording the exact location where each cat is trapped, we can identify areas with the highest need, measure the impact of our work, and adjust resources accordingly to ensure the program remains effective and focused where it’s needed most. 

Expanded areas of focus will be announced as progress is achieved.

Thank you for helping us make a real difference for Duval’s community cats — one surgery at a time! For more information, visit our Spay and Neuter Programs page.

At FCNMHP, every milestone represents more pets helped, more families supported, and a stronger community built around compassion.

From life-saving surgeries to impactful partnerships and program achievements, we’re proud to share the successes that your support makes possible. ✨

🐈 New Check-In System at Norwood: Vet Lobby 🐈

We’re excited to share that our Norwood location has officially implemented Vet Lobby, a simple and efficient check-in system designed to improve the experience for both clients and staff. 🤩

Currently, Vet Lobby is being used for community cat intake, but plans are already underway to expand its use for additional services in the future.

With Vet Lobby, clients can check in right from their car using a QR code posted in each parking space or by using the kiosk inside. This system helps us better organize check-ins by time and reason for visit, giving our staff access to all the information they need before the client even walks in. 

The benefits are clear: less stress for pets and their people, smoother workflow for staff, enhanced safety, and valuable data we can use to continue improving services. 

This exciting step forward was made possible thanks to the generosity of Al McGuire and Hunter Barnett, whose support helps us innovate and provide the best possible care for our community. 🫶

🩺 1,000 Surgeries and Counting: An STVP Milestone 🩺

FCNMHP recently celebrated an incredible milestone—1,000 student-performed spay and neuter surgeries since launching our Student Veterinary Training Program in October 2024! 🌟

Under the guidance of Dr. Brian DiGangi and our medical team, veterinary students gain hands-on, high-quality experience while making a direct impact on pets in need.

The milestone surgery, a spay for a Labrador named Daisy, was performed on July 31, 2025, by extern Michelle Duncan, who also broke the program’s record with 108 surgeries during her two-week externship!

By training future veterinarians while reducing pet overpopulation, FCNMHP is building a pipeline of compassionate professionals ready to serve communities everywhere. 💙 

💙 Externship Spotlight: Akari Tsui 💙

On August 22, we celebrated the completion of Akari Tsui’s four-week externship at FCNMHP. 🩺

In just ONE month, Akari successfully performed 150 surgeries, sharpening her skills and gaining invaluable hands-on experience under the guidance of Dr. Brian DiGangi and our medical team.

Originally from Taiwan and now living in Orlando, Akari has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since childhood.

When she began her externship, she felt nervous about surgery, but with practice and support, her confidence soared—cutting surgery times from over an hour to under 40 minutes!

We’re so proud of Akari, and can’t wait to see the difference she’ll make in the veterinary world! ✨

🌺 Knowledge Exchange: Welcoming Dr. Zoya Jouravska 🌺

This month, FCNMHP was honored to welcome Dr. Zoya Jouravska from Good Cat Network in Maui, Hawaii, to our Norwood facility.

Her visit, generously sponsored by the John R. Peterson Foundation, provided valuable training opportunities that benefit both our community cats AND the next generation of veterinary professionals. 

While at Norwood, Dr. Jouravska focused on high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) techniques, including advanced procedures such as flank spays for community cats. 🐈

This collaboration not only strengthens our medical team but also reinforces our mission to reduce overpopulation and improve the lives of cats in our community!

We’re grateful for the chance to learn from Dr. Jouravska and for the continued support of the John R. Peterson Foundation. 💙 

News & Media Highlights

We’ve added a new section to our website!

Visit our News & Media Highlights page to see how FCNMHP is making headlines and impacting the lives of pets and their people. 💗

Volunteer Power in Action

Last month, our warehouse team received an INCREDIBLE delivery of 19 pallets from Amazon, and thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, every single box made it inside with ease. 🚚

We were joined by a hardworking crew from The Standard, alongside a group of our committed Pet Food Bank volunteers, who patiently awaited the truck’s arrival and jumped right in to help unload. 

Their teamwork, energy, and commitment ensure that pets in need across our community continue to receive the food and supplies they rely on. 

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who participated. Thank you for keeping tails wagging and families supported! 🥰

Supply Alert: Help Us Keep Pets Cozy! 

Our Norwood clinic is running low on some of the everyday essentials that make a huge difference in the lives of the pets we care for—newspapers and pee pads!

These simple supplies help us:

✨ Line kennels so cats and dogs can rest comfortably after surgery

✨ Keep pets cozy and clean during recovery

✨ Safely transport animals in our care

You can make an immediate impact in two easy ways:

1️⃣ Donate your old newspapers directly to our Norwood clinic at 6817 Norwood Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32208.

2️⃣ Purchase pee pads from our Amazon wishlists to have them shipped straight to us!

Every donation helps make recovery a little softer and safer for the pets who need us most. 💙

🔗 Norwood Amazon Wishlist
🔗 Cassat Amazon Wishlist

For those of you that don't read the newspaper, but still want to give, our Pet Food Bank is ALWAYS in need of support to ensure no pet goes hungry! 

You can help by dropping off donations at any of our nine locations or by sending supplies directly through our online wishlists—making it easier than ever to give back! 

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. 💙

From helping in our busy clinics and supporting the Pet Food Bank, to pitching in with laundry, front desk assistance, and more—our volunteers make it possible to care for over 200 pets a day, perform more than 20,000 spay/neuter surgeries each year, and distribute 280,000 pounds of pet food to families in need. 🐾

Ready to be part of lifesaving work? We’d LOVE to welcome you to our team! New volunteers can get started by completing and submitting an application.

For questions, please reach out to our Volunteer Manager at [email protected] or reference our FAQ section, which contains answers to many general inquiries.

This past spring, we founded a group known as the Friends of Precious Paws—a special community of individuals who have generously given $1,000 or more to support our mission. 💙

These members demonstrate a true passion for making a difference in the lives of animals while celebrating the special bond pets share with their humans. 

Today, we want to extend a special thanks to our Precious Pride members. Please join us in celebrating and thanking them! 👏

BIG things are happening at FCNMHP! 🤩

We can’t share just yet, but an exciting announcement is coming on October 1. Stay tuned— you won’t want to miss this! 🫶

We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of our community and donors. 💙

Recently, we asked a few of our supporters about their willingness to continue standing with FCNMHP—and their heartfelt words remind us just how much our mission means to so many. ✨

Here are just a few of the inspiring things they had to say:

"The reason I donate to FCNMHP is our adopted dog Jessie. She was treated at your facility for a stomach wound before we adopted her from Nassau County Animal Services. Without your surgery and care, she would not have survived. FCNMHP took an abused stray and gave her the gift of life."

"When I became sick years ago and lost my job, I could hardly afford pet care anymore. First Coast No More Homeless Pets was the only reason I was able to have my young female dog spayed and get her core vaccines."

"As long as I can do so, I will support FCNMHP. Because of you, I had six years with my precious CJ. My four spoiled and dysfunctional rescue cats bring me much joy and a reason to get up every morning. You make it possible for families to care for their pets in hard times, which saves lives."

Vote for Our Cutest Client of the Month! 

At FCNMHP, we’re lucky to meet pets of all shapes, sizes, and personalities—and some of them completely stole our hearts this past month! 💕

Now it’s your turn to help us decide… who should be crowned Cutest Client of the Month?

Take a look at this month’s nominees below and cast your vote for your favorite furry friend here or using the button below. 

Hi! 💗 It’s very nice to meet you.  My name’s Ash, and I’m a playful little ball of fluff! I love making the silliest faces, snuggling up with my mom, and—don’t tell anyone—shredding paper into tiny confetti pieces! 

Hi friends! 💗 My name’s Penny. Like my buddy Ash, I’m a pro at making goofy faces—but I also enjoy the finer things in life: sniffing freshly cut grass, soaking up endless belly rubs, and taste-testing every new treat my humans bring home from the store!

Hi! 💗 My name’s Ella.  I’m a tiny kitten with a big heart. At first, I might be a little shy—but once I feel safe, I turn into the ultimate snuggle buddy.

Hi, I’m Ollie! 💗 I may be small and a little gray around the muzzle, but my tail still wags like a puppy’s every single day. I love soft blankets, tasty treats, and greeting everyone like they’re my best friend in the whole world. 

Stay connected with us! Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for heartwarming stories, pet updates, and ways you can make a difference. 💙