About

Our mission statement

Friends of the Animals is a 501(c)3 organization that improves the quality of life for animals in Southern Oregon by facilitating adoptions, medical care, education, and resources to our community.

STRATEGIC Focus:

Since 1991 when, Friends of the Animals (FOTAS) was established we have been providing volunteers to help Jackson County Animal Shelter animals get adopted faster, while improving the quality of life while they wait. Now, we are also focused on reducing the number of animals entering shelters at all.

Of course, FOTAS will continue to support Shelter animals, but we know the community needs much more. Our strategic focus is to expand spay and neuter options to decrease “accidental litters,” provide nurturing “homes-between-homes” before adoption, contribute toward pet safety, and create strong partnerships with other rescue organizations. All to help more animals and owners in the Rogue Valley.

SHELTER:

Historically, 200+ FOTAS volunteers donate an average 50,000 hours of their time to supporting JCAS animals. Based on a recent study, this is the equivalent of 11 full-time employees, which saves Jackson County a significant amount in staffing costs.

Additionally, over the years volunteers have opened their homes as foster parents to shelter animals. In 2022, more than 400 cats and dogs spent time in a loving FOTAS foster home for a variety of reasons: (1) animals experiencing kennel stress, (2) animals too young to be spayed/neutered, and (3) animals recovering from injuries/surgeries. Fostering saves lives!

Throughout our 30+ years, FOTAS has also provided significant financial support to JCAS. From 2011 to 2022, FOTAS donated more than $347,000 for animal medical expenses alone.

FOTAS also raises funds to provide supplies, food, and to subsidize low-cost adoption events.

PREVENTION:

FOTAS has known for years that the solution to pet-overpopulation is prevention. We have been strategic in our efforts to move in that direction by adding veterinary resources on our board and in our staffing to help facilitate expansion into a new Friends of the Animals Community Spay & Neuter Clinic. The building, previously a veterinary clinic, has been leased and we are diligently at work preparing the building, gearing up clinic staff and finalizing our service offerings.

Our experience over the past several years purchasing, staffing and operating the FOTAS Spay/Neuter Mobile Unit has not only jump-started our equipment inventory, but also given us valuable hands-on experience – completing 533 spay and neuter surgeries for the Jackson County Animal Shelter, and an additional 70 surgeries for local rescue organizations. With the new facility, we will be able to service the tri-county area, offer spay/neuter support to Shelters and rescue groups, and provide our services on a sliding scale for qualifying clients.

Please visit our Friends of the Animals Community Spay/Neuter Clinic website for more information. 

RESCUE:

Over time, FOTAS has expanded our services into the community with the creation of the Working Cats Program (fixing and relocating feral cats), and the Street Dogs Program, serving pets of homeless and low-income residents. The Working Cats Program has grown and is now operated through Feral Cats Advocacy. To date, over 500 cats have been rehomed through the work of FOTAS and the FCA. The Rogue Valley Street Dogs Program has expanded into its own non-profit organization and continues to grow its services.  

During Kitten Season, FOTAS partners with other feline-rescue nonprofit organizations in our community to help an even greater number of cats/kittens by providing these organizations with foster families and medical and spay/neuter support. 

FOTAS’ cat program now includes monthly adoption events coordinated with the other cat rescue groups. With five organizations participating, we have been averaging 30 – 50 cats and kittens at each monthly event. For updates on these monthly events please visit the FOTAS Feline Fair website.

PET SAFETY:

In 2023, FOTAS took over the coordination of the monthly Low-cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinics that had been held at the Shelter for many years. The program has been expanded in services and scope, and now accepts appointments from all neighboring counties. FOTAS averages over 300 appointments per month–helping keep the pet community healthier, supporting an increase in dog licensing and expanding the number of animals microchipped. Schedule an appointment here.