Many people know that Hans and Lucille Fried came to America as refugees from Nazi Germany, but few know their secret weapon: a cat shelter! In 1977, they founded Fried’s Cat Shelter, where cats rule the roost, and humans are merely their servants. Over the years, Fried’s faced challenges that would make a cat's nine lives seem like a stroll in the park—rising population, increasing costs, and a constant stream of furry drama that would make reality TV jealous.

      Let’s talk about some realities: We operate as a "no-kill" shelter, but that doesn't mean we have a magic money tree in the backyard. Spoiler alert: we don’t! A surprising number of people still think spaying or neutering their pets is a suggestion—like choosing between chocolate or vanilla ice cream—leading to more unwanted kitties who often think they're auditioning for "America's Next Top Model" instead of finding a forever home.

      As Fried’s becomes more popular, our shelter rapidly resembles an episode of "Hoarders: Cat Edition." We plan to rebuild 1/3 of the shelter in 2025 and 2026 to accommodate our furry clientele, but we need funding. The price tag on building materials has increased faster than a cat can chase a laser pointer. Our current supporters are starting to feel like our cats—aging gracefully and ready for retirement—but we need the next generation to realize just how important this cause is. So, if you’re listening, new supporters, please help us before the cats start forming a meow-vemente!.