Oh i need all the help i can get this part of things is all very new to me. The most i ever did was get a small business lic years ago so any resources including info on various national grants that exist would be a huge help!
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Nanaki Seto
owner
Blackfoot the cat rescue and animal advocacy group
OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2026 05:37 PM
From: Kris Thompson
Subject: Working towards starting a rescue for cats specifically for ferals and semi ferals and other hard to place cats
Hello. I would start by getting your 501(c) (3) established. I am in California, but I helped our rescue, Fresno TNR, become a 501(c)3 and had no experience. If you are interested, I could share some resources with you on how I started. I would also see about recruiting some good friends who would like to be on your board. Once you can get your 501(c)3 established, you will be eligible to apply for grants. Good luck, and let me know if you want any help.
Kris, Fresno TNR
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Kris Thompson
Secretary
Fresno TNR
CA
Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2026 10:38 AM
From: Nanaki Seto
Subject: Working towards starting a rescue for cats specifically for ferals and semi ferals and other hard to place cats
Ok so here is the thing growing up my family ran what you might call a semi secured cat colony. We had a total of 6 acres 3 fence on 3 sides open on the back it opened in to 3 areas unfence running at a right angle to the fenced acres. In this part all along the length width how ever you want to look at it were all fenced back yards for the houses the next road over. On our roads side most homes had fenced back yards as well. All along the area between these 2 roads was 100s of acres of woods. What we did was trap spay neuter and relocate cats from dangerous areas including 2 local shopping centers 1 where there were 3 schools directly across from the shopping center. These dangerous locations resulted in a large number of cats being hit and killed tnr/tnvr did not really exist at this point nither did no kill shelters for the most part as this was decades ago. I want to take this all to the next level not just a outside secured semi secured or unsecured managed colony but a full blown rescue building fenced in property easy access for cats to roam freely between the building and the fenced giant catio. Along with isolation rooms for cats just post op to recovery in safety a space to work with a individual feral to get them adoptable along with everything else. I have a couple hurdles. 1 is well finding the specific grants 2 getting the grants to pay for it all and also just starting a 501 c3 itself. I already have land in mind through our land bank her which is honestly quite cheap i know of 3 lots near me that total .5 acres and larger available plots (more of them a little further from where i live) . I am not specifically asking for funding at this point but hey i am not above accepting the funding to pay for the land and to get all the paper work in order if someone wanted to do such a thing.
I have a great deal of experience trapping for tnvr and working successfully with feral cats getting them to a point where they are not only adoptable but thrive as in door cats. My experience with actually working with them is extensive navigating the hurdles to starting up such a thing well that is where my problem is! You can find me on facebook as Blackfoot the cat rescue and animal advocacy group Again i am just now starting all of this i am not yet a 501 c3 Thanks for any help any of you can offer me with this!
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Nanaki Seto
owner
Blackfoot the cat rescue and animal advocacy group
OH
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