FMAR is a non-profit 501(c) 3 rescue for dogs and cats that started in April 2003 with the help of great volunteers and supporters. We grew faster than anyone anticipated, creating a necessity to find more space. Pete and Marcy, founders of FMAR, moved from their dream home and bought a 6-1/2 acre farm with a run down house and two great barns. They renovated the smaller of the 2 barns with 9 dog kennels and 5 unique cat kennels. In 2005 they realized the need for more room to accommodate the ever growing cat population. FMAR raised the money to add onto the smaller barn and create an inside community cat area where our adult cats would enjoy a free roaming environment.
In 2008 MM Augusta, LLC donated a beautiful barn to FMAR that would have otherwise been demolished. The only catch was FMAR would have to move it to the shelter. Gasper Recycling was just down the road from FMAR and were awarded the contract to tear down the other structures on that same site so they offered their services to move the barn for free. It took a lot of team work and planning but in just over a year we had the barn in place and ready to secure to the ground on the property.
We were now into 2009 with the same goal and dream to add another addition to the current shelter so our volunteers and visitors would have a real bathroom and office. FMAR continued to find fundraising opportunities and with our volunteers and supporters we had raised enough funds and found enough experienced people, including the support and determination of C.A.L plumbing and heating, to add a bathroom and storage area to the smaller barn. It was an exciting time and a huge step up from our rented portable bathroom with no heat in the winter.
2009 was coming to an end but the excitement and determination of our group remained high and our goals focused. It was time to focus back on the donated barn, and begin to turn it into a Cat Haven. The heavens were on our side with an anonymous donor in hand and a capital campaign underway we were able to get the barn secured to the ground, the frame up, sand brought in, rough plumbing installed, walls ready for new drywall and the cement poured.
FMAR is determined to have the Cat Haven completed and our felines and canines enjoying spaces that are all their own in 2010. We will continue to dream and plan and with a lot of love, faith, hope, determination, teamwork, support and belief in our mission to protect animals and residents by promoting a healthy and safe environment for all each and every one of our dreams will soon become a reality.
You may ask what is next for FMAR? With the addition to the existing shelter finished and our cats and dogs settled in and comfortable in their new environments, we will once again look at renovating the larger 8200 square foot barn. We will begin discussing how we can move forward with exciting programs and opportunities to engage and invite our community to learn more about great pet care and behavior. Keep tuned in because we are sure you won't want to miss our progress.
We are amazed and saddened every day by the abundance of homeless pets within and outside of our community. We have been fortunate enough to start a few very important programs in our community such as feral cat spay/neuter and pet behavior training, but the money always seems to run out before the need ends. We will continue to do everything in our power to grow so we can do more. Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged us to continue when things were tough. Keep watching the best is yet to come!!
FMAR is the reality of a vision created by Pete, Marcy and continued to grow and thrive with the help and determination of all of our dedicated board members and volunteers. A vision we have managed to keep working for over 6 years now. I know dreams do come true (or there wouldn't be an FMAR). I also know that God will continue to get us through each new and exciting level in our mission. In the meantime if you run into someone who needs a great business to support please send them our way with a promise that FMAR will do anything in their legal, God given power to make it all work. If you would like a personal tour of FMAR, please give us a call. You might just stand in the middle of it just like I did when I first saw it and say………"What a wonderful shelter this is." Thank you for listening. We hope all of your dreams come true. Take care and God Bless.
FMAR Board of Directors, volunteers and supporters united for our mission, to protect animals and humans by creating a healthy and safe environment for all.
