At Friends of All Critters At Shelters (FOACAS), every year brings new challenges, but it also brings new miracles.
This past year tested shelters across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia like never before. Shelters were over capacity, rehoming rates reached historic highs, and abandoned dogs appeared in parks, streets, and parking lots. In the middle of that despair, FOACAS Rescue continued doing what it has always done, stepping in when no one else could.
Who This Is For
This story is for animal lovers, advocates, and anyone who believes that every life deserves a chance, especially when that life has no voice of its own. It is for people who want to know that their compassion can directly change an outcome.
Nora’s Story: When Hope Was Almost Lost
Nora, a sweet adult Havanese, was found wandering alone in a litter-strewn field last summer. She was scared, crying, and appeared almost completely blind. A veterinarian diagnosed her with severe vision loss and recommended removing her eyes.
FOACAS Rescue believed Nora deserved another opinion.
We arranged a three-hour transport to Friendship Animal Hospital in Washington, DC. The diagnosis confirmed surgery was necessary, but it would cost thousands of dollars. Within three days, FOACAS supporters raised every dollar needed.
Today, Nora can see from both eyes.
She runs, climbs stairs, looks into mirrors, and experiences the world that neglect once took from her. What could have ended in irreversible loss became a full recovery because people cared enough to act.
Lyla’s Story: A Second Chance at Puppyhood
The same week Nora received her surgery, FOACAS was contacted about Lyla, a six-month-old Yorkie who had been run over and dragged by a car. She suffered broken hips and joints, injuries most shelters could not afford to treat. Euthanasia was a real possibility.
FOACAS never hesitated.
Once again, supporters stepped up, funding the complex surgery and recovery Lyla needed. Today, Lyla runs, plays, zooms, and lives the joyful life every puppy deserves.
Why This Matters
FOACAS Rescue never says no.
We work with trainers, groomers, behaviorists, specialist veterinarians, and foundations to ensure that every dog we accept has a chance, because we are willing to take one.
But we cannot do it alone.
Shelters are overwhelmed. Dogs are being abandoned daily. FOACAS volunteers are working fourteen-hour days to keep up with the need. Without financial support, even the strongest mission cannot survive.
What We Need From You
If you believe that dogs like Nora and Lyla deserve more than despair, we need your help.
Your support allows FOACAS to:
- Fund emergency and life-saving surgeries
- Transport dogs to specialized medical care
- Place dogs in loving foster and forever homes
- Continue rescuing dogs that shelters cannot save
Take Action Today
Please help keep FOACAS alive so we can keep saving lives.
Donations to the Holiday Fund can be made:
- Directly through our website at www.foacas.org
- By credit card using the QR code
- By check mailed to:
FOACAS
PO Box 59131
Potomac, MD 20854
Every donation, for a limited time during our Holiday Fund, goes directly toward helping dogs in immediate need.
We and the next Noras and Lylas thank you.
Mindy Farber and John Camp
Cofounders, Friends of All Critters At Shelters, Inc.
An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit Maryland corporation
