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Farmhouse Cats outlines 18-year TNR effort and asks Oak Hill Parks & Rec for partnership
Summary
Ellen Sebring told the Oak Hill Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that Farmhouse Cats has conducted trap-neuter-return work in Oak Hill for about 18 years, helped fix more than 3,000 cats locally and seeks donations, volunteers and event partnerships.
Ellen Sebring, speaking for Farmhouse Cats, told the Oak Hill Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on May 7 that the volunteer-run group has been operating for roughly 18 years and has “had over 3,000 cats fixed in Oak Hill.” She described the group’s core mission as trap-neuter-return (TNR), explained that rescued animals and urgent medical cases are funded through yard sales and donations, and said the organization routes emergency surgical donations through a vet clinic account to avoid handling cash.
Board members asked procedural and funding questions; Sebring said Farmhouse Cats is not a 501(c)(3) and that the group sends about “14 cats a month” to the county clinic for spay/neuter under the municipality’s contract with Volusia County animal services. She emphasized operational needs: ongoing donations of cat food and litter, help cataloging and staging donated items, and volunteers to run giveaways and swap events.
The board discussed possible ways to support or partner without taking on full financial responsibility, including hosting a donation drive, reserving a space at upcoming community events, and asking the city attorney about whether funds raised could be held by the city or would require a formal nonprofit. Sebring described a workaround used for veterinary surgeries: donors are directed to remit funds to a clinic holding account earmarked for the Farmhouse Cat account so the money is not handled directly by the group.
Members said they would explore logistical options and, if appropriate, bring a proposal to the city commission for permission to use city-managed space or to confirm donation handling. The presentation concluded with an offer by Farmhouse Cats to participate in the board’s upcoming community events to collect supplies and publicize swap and giveaway programs.
