Ranch Ownership - Priceless!

Anyone who has owned, managed or even rented property knows that appliances, toilets, and other stuff sometime breakdown.  The Ranch was purchased in late September "as is".  While we were careful to look at the house, we knew that perhaps in a year or two something would need to be replaced.   The caretakers moved into the house in mid-October.  Since the property is out in the country, the house is heated/cooled with propane fuel.  Well, as luck would have it, the propane usage through the roof?  We had two propane fuel companies come out to make sure the tank and lines were in good operating order - they were.  We then had a heating and plumbing company come to look at the furnace.  Guess what???  The furnace needed to be replaced.  So, the new 90 % efficient furnace was installed today with all hopes this will stem the high propane usage.  The replacement cost, while not exorbitant, was not budgeted.  If anyone would like to send in $5 towards the "furnace fund", we would graciously accept the donation.  While we are proud of our new furnace and the efficiency it brings, the money we spent is money we cannot use to support our Ranch cats or the community outreach programs.  So if you don't want to support the furnace, support the cats of Central Illinois.  Thanks for listening!

Pepsi Refresh Grant Could Help Ranch

Hi Everyone!  One of our very first volunteer and youngest volunteer, Owen Ford, was able to sign the Ranch up for the Pepsi Refresh Grant Program.  We are in the running for a grant of $250,000.  Anyone that is familiar with this program will know that you have to be "johnny on the spot" to get an organization registered.  The slots fill up so incredibly fast.  Owen did her research!  She described our organization, our vision for central Illinois to be a no-kill community for cats, and our plans for renovating the buildings on our property.  Owen researched our business plan to find out the costs of the renovations.  What I didn't know is that the Pepsi Foundation researches each organization to make sure they are eligible.  We must have passed all the hurdles, because we are one of 309 organizations vying for 2 grants of $250,000! AWESOME!!!!!!  I know all of you are asking yourselves  "How Can I Help This Valiant Effort?"  Here's the answer, sweet and simple, go to:  http://www.refresheverything.com/felineranch, register and vote everyday.  Voting ends January 31, 2011.  We are currently ranked 103 of 309.  I know with every one's help, we could earn this grant.  The $250,000 will allow us to renovate the buildings without incurring more debt.  More importantly, we could help save the lives of so many cats!  Let's show Owen how much we appreciate her efforts and love for the Forever Home Feline Ranch!  Vote Every Day!!

The First Cats Are Officially On The Ranch!

It's true.....we have 5 cats in the first renovated building on the Forever Home Feline Ranch!  Take a look on the home page of the web site to see the first building.  Sparrow, Philos, Uno, Carlos and Bill are the first official ranch cats.  Yes, they are all boys, and yes, they are all black or black and white, but they have their very own suite to call home.  These cats have medical issues and will not be adoptable.  But they will be loved and cared for by our on-site caregivers.
What else is happening on the ranch???  The office is being renovated and should be ready to greet visitors in a month or so.  The office will come complete with an office cat - Frost.  We will tell you more about Frost later.  There is a Bullock Building being built (28'x36').  This will be the next area to hold cats. 
Finally, the Board of Directors is looking at options to either renovate the large tool shed currently on the property or to build a new facility.  There are pros and cons to each option.
Stay tuned for more developments as the Forever Home Feline Ranch becomes a sanctuary extraordinaire!

Calling All Ranch Hands - It's Time To Herd Some Cats!

Today was the day we have been working so hard to accomplish - WE HAVE THE RANCH PROPERTY!  Wow.......we have come so far from one year ago.  The work is just beginning, but in a different way.  Before, we were selling a concept of a sanctuary.  Now, we need to turn a former farm into that concept.  This will be the exciting part too!  On Sunday, the architect (Alex) and I will be going over the existing buildings on the property.  How do we turn a Butler Building into cat condo's?  Alex and I have been looking at the many shelters around the country and reading about feline environments.  We hope our finished design will be a stimulating, yet stress-free living space for our cats. I can't wait to get started!!

Blu Tonz Concert at the Aqua Club

The Forever Home Feline Ranch and Benld Adopt-A-Pet hosted a blues/jazz concert featuring the Blu Tonz last night.  The music was wonderful and I would like to thank Ron Cruickshank and all the Blu Tonz!  Our Board of Directors (all in royal blue t-shirts) decided it was time to dance.  They added a nice little touch of fun to the event.  The best part of this event was the fact that we threw it together in less than 7 days!  Teresa Sturdy got the ball rolling with the band and Aqua Club and sponsors like Walmart, Merial, Bayer Animal Health, Secret Recipies.  Kate Hein got Petals & Co. and some wonderful silent auction items.  Brownie Giberson got a wonderful contemporary sculpture from Devine Design.  Cheryl Johnston got door prizes from Cafe Moxo and a beautiful water color painting from Sandra Finney (local artist).  All I did was shop for food and make meatballs.  Ok, I really didn't "make" them, I heated them up with some sauce.  Many of our loyal supporters came to the concert.  We saw some new faces as well.  THANK YOU to everyone that has helped the Forever Home Feline Ranch make such progress in getting property to make this dream come true!  We close on the property on Thursday, September 30th at 10 AM!  Look for an open house announcement soon!  Thank you central Illinois for your support!

Two Weeks And Counting - It's Ranch Time!

One could surmise that I have been talking to myself on this blog since there have not been many responses to my witty sense of humor.  But the reality is I have been talking to myself for a long time, so I will consider this therapy.  Enough about me.  On September 30th, at 10 AM, the Forever Home Feline Ranch will have an honest to goodness RANCH!  I can't wait to realize the possibilities of helping more cats.  While it is true that we will need to do some renovations to make the existing building "cat friendly", I can see clearly my vision of a "forever home" becoming reality in the very near future.  This has been an exciting and nerve-wracking time for the Board and volunteers.  A venture of this size takes a great deal of work, and even more faith in knowing the effort is needed.  In the animal rescue business, the need always out-strips the capacity.  I sure hope everyone celebrates the opening of the Forever Home Feline Ranch! 

Ranch Property - Yes.....It's True

We are so close in securing a 'forever home' for the Forever Home Feline Ranch!  Sure, there are a couple more hurdles to jump, but I feel we are going to make this last home stretch in getting an actual Ranch property.  This is an exciting and nerve racking time, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.  Once all of the details have been confirmed, the details of the property will be all over the front page of our web site and probably every piece of literature we give out.  So, you might be asking yourself....."what are the hurdles?"  Well, actually, there is only one hurdle - finances.  I would really like to go to closing with not only the down payment, but a little extra for renovations to the first building that will house our Ranch cats.  If you have thought, at one time or another, that what we are doing is a "good thing" (to quote Martha Stewart), please consider donating to our capital campaign.  100% of your donation will go into the Ranch property.  We have a long waiting list of cats that needs homes.  Consider being part of a new venture in animal rescue and care......a sanctuary.....a Forever Home!

Brenda