You can tell from her home that Tara Tomcsik-Husak is the ultimate 'cat lady.' From her cat wallpaper, to the neon 'Meow' sign, to the cat stairs for her cats Nomi and Jazz, her home is a cat sanctuary.
In addition to her demanding role as president and CEO of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, Tara is also the founder of Feline Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to providing veterinary care to homeless, feral and pet cats in need.
“It all started with an Hour Magazine ‘Cutest Pet in Metro Detroit’ contest," Tara tells me. The winner got a two-page article in the magazine, and Tara's cat Jazz won.
"I thought there would be no greater time to use that article to launch a nonprofit," Tara recalls. "So when they said, 'Tell us about your cat,' I introduced them as two cats on a mission to help cats in need: Jazz is Feline Fund’s Chief MEOWketing Officer, and Nomi is our Chief PURRfection Officer.”
Then Tara got to work actually creating Feline Fund. In less than two months—and just before the article went to print—Tara was approved as a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, and Feline Fund was born.
Feline Fund is not a rescue, shelter or clinic. It's an organization that requires partnerships and collaborations, using all of its donations to fund veterinary care for cats in need.
"There's a greater impact when we all work together," Tara says.
One of Feline Fund’s goals is increasing funding for TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return).
“While I wish every cat had a home indoors, that is not the reality,” Tara says. "The problem is homeless cats who live outside are going to shelters and getting euthanized because there aren’t enough fosters or capacity in shelters.
"We work with local TNR trappers to get them spayed, neutered and vaccinated, and then returned. So they won't be brought back to a shelter or euthanized, feral cats get ear-tipped, to show that this cat has received care."
Feline Fund sets up large TNR spay-and-neuter days all year round. In less than two years, they've provided veterinary care to over 2,000 homeless cats.
“When we control the homeless pet population, we keep future cats out of the shelters," Tara points out.
In addition to homeless cats, Feline Fund helps cat families who cannot afford veterinary care. They host free vaccine and microchip clinics and help with emergency care for families overcoming obstacles to veterinary care.
“With a shortage of veterinarians and the rising cost of care," Tara points out, "families and cats are at risk."
Tara encountered one such family at one of Feline Fund's free vaccine clinics.
“They had just immigrated to Detroit. Their young daughter didn't speak much English, and their cat—who wasn’t eating—was her only friend."
Feline Fund had the cat examined, and discovered the animal had a rare jaw disease. Treatment would cost over $7,000, for a family that, as Tara observed, "could barely afford rent." Feline Fund partnered with a veterinarian to treat the cat.
"This little girl was able to keep her best friend," Tara shares proudly.
Feline Fund doesn’t receive government or grant funding. Its mission is solely funded by individual donations and their 'Sponsor a Stray Cat' program.
"For every $50 donation," Tara explains, "we email the actual photo of the cat they sponsored. They've paid for a homeless cat's vaccines, spay/neuter surgery and ear-tipping.”
Tara holds up her cell phone, scrolling through cat pictures.
“We have a photo of every cat we've provided care for," she shows me. "We thank our donors by showing them the actual cat they helped.”
The fund also relies on pet-conscious partner companies.
“Premier Pet Supply hosts a donation and round-up fundraiser for us every year, in all their locations. In the past two years, they've raised over $33,000. That's veterinary care for over 650 homeless cats," Tara notes. "We make them a photo book with the faces of every cat their funding saved."
Feline Fund is always looking for new partners. Tara is excited that Biggby Coffee in Troy will also be hosting a Feline Fund event this month. If your company wants to help, Tara will supply Feline Fund Donation Tags that donors can write their names on, and businesses can display.
Tara doesn't take a salary for her work: 100% of donations go to provide care for cats.
"I get paid in purrs, hisses…and the occasional kitty kisses,” Tara says.
To learn more about Feline Fund or to donate, visit felinefund.org
I get paid in purrs, hisses…and the occasional kitty kisses.
We keep future cats out of the shelters.