The BFF Project
A Building For Our Friends
Our Mission:
To save the hungry, the helpless, the lost, and the little ones struggling to survive; to house and feed as many animals as possible and to ease the suffering of the weak and unloved.
At AniMeals No-Kill Adoption Center & Animal Food Bank, we care for many special needs cats, considered to be un-adoptable due to physical disabilities, behavioral issues, emotional distress or being senior. We offer sanctuary for the blind, those with serious injuries, neurological disorders, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline Leukemia while actively seeking permanent loving homes.
Rescue is a big part of what we do; whether it involves a case of hoarding, abandonment or death of a guardian; when an innocent life hangs in the balance we respond.
We also provide assistance to homebound & disabled individuals, families in crisis and 71 rescues and shelters through our animal food bank.
The Need
We currently reside in a building which is up for sale. While it is a great warehouse space, it is not conducive to animal sheltering as we envision it should be. As with any warehouse, there are concrete floors, no windows, and no cooling or air exchange systems. We have no isolation/observation/quarantine/receiving rooms for animals coming into the shelter. Our 10 day quarantine period is done within a kitchen area, which doubles as our Intensive Care Unit, intake room, food preparation area, shelter food storage, and grooming facility.
With no ventilation, this area is a potential breeding ground for bacteria and air borne viruses which could possibly infect the entire population of the shelter.
Our cat housing (rooms and suites) consists of 10x10x6 foot dog kennels that we have topped with deer wire. We also house kittens in ferret cages due to lack of space until a cat room opens up. Opportunities for community engagement/education are limited because we have limited spaces in which to meet.
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The Impact of a new shelter and food bank and an improved facility, in a high visibility location, would improve the welfare and wellbeing of the animals significantly. Adoptions are expected to increase by 40%, which would allow us to save more lives and create more room for more at-risk animals. Designated isolation and intake areas as well as proper ventilation will prevent the spread of infectious diseases. A complete medical suite where we could host low cost spay/neuter clinics would create a much needed additional resource for our community.
Our resident cats would benefit both emotionally and physically by having access to natural light, fresh air and stimulation through outdoor “catios”. A climate controlled food bank would allow us to have indoor storage where our food storage would not be subject to the weather. Conference/Orientation/Community Engagement/Education Rooms and Classrooms are essential for training purposes and community outreach, teaching responsible companion animal guardianship, TNR, Kids Camp, and Volunteer workshops. We believe that an informed community is an engaged community.
A new facility will meet the needs of the animals, our staff, volunteers and visitors, adopters and youth, enabling us to provide improved services to the community and help further our lifesaving mission for homeless pets in Missoula and surrounding counties.
Our goal is not to increase the capacity of the shelter, but to increase our adoptions, services, programs and efficiency.
Our Request
We need the support of our entire community to help us in this endeavor. Gifts both large and small are essential in order for us to accomplish this. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today by mailing a check to AniMeals at 1700 Rankin Street, Missoula, MT 59808. (Make sure to put “The BFF Project” in the memo line)
If you are in a position to help us either by donating funds or property that is centrally located in Missoula, please contact AniMeals at 721.4710 or the Executive Director, Janet Rose. Your contribution would mean the world to us and the animals we serve. Together we can make our corner of the world a better place for all who need shelter and care.
"We rescue" "We feed" "We Heal"
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