Programs + Results

FSS is working to address the issues of animal abandonment and abuse, the high numbers of animal intake and euthanasia, cat overpopulation, and the improvement of overall health and quality of life for cats and horses. 

In the US, approximately 3,400,000 cats are abandoned each year. Of those 3.4 million, 1.3 million are put to death. While others are adopted, many are left on the streets, contributing to community cat overpopulation. This overpopulation crisis creates a vicious cycle of further cases of forced euthanasia and a decline in the overall health and quality of life for cats throughout the country. 

Horses are one of the four most commonly abused, neglected, or abandoned animals in the United States. There are over 200,000 “unwanted” horses per year - not including the thousands of unreported cases of neglect and abuse. While some of these horses are lucky and find a home with a rehabilitation or rescue organization, many are sent to slaughter simply for being unwanted. 

Equine Adoption & Sanctuary

February Star Sanctuary prioritizes finding horse rescues a loving forever home. While many horses are adopted through February Star Sanctuary, we are also a permanent refuge. Many horses find a loving forever home and safe haven at February Star Sanctuary, with a skilled staff that provides rehabilitation, treatment, and the loving care they deserve. Please check out our Horse Page for horses that are looking for a forever home.

Barn Cat Adoption & Sanctuary

We are a permanent home to around 80 barn/feral cats. We always have cats in need of homes. Please check out our Cats Page.  

Community Outreach

February Star Sanctuary has a variety of community outreach programs structured to correspond with our pillar programs. Community outreach programs include educational seminars at community centers, sanctuary tours, social media, physical marketing, and participation at an array of trade shows year-round. 

Trap-Neuter-Return Program

February Star Sanctuary’s Trap-Neuter-Return program assists in the humane control of the growing community cat population in Frederick County, Maryland through spaying and neutering efforts, vaccine administration, FIV/FeLV testing, ear-tipping, and returning, rehoming, and/or sanctuary of community cats. Additionally, our TNR program includes an educational component:  creating awareness of our organization, sharing ways others can assist in preventing cat overpopulation, providing tools to work toward a community-oriented solution, and instructing current and potential pet owners on responsible pet ownership. Overall, we seek to stabilize and decrease the stray and feral cat population through cost-effective strategies, see a decline in intake and euthanasia, and improve the overall health and quality of life, for these vulnerable cats.

Caring for Cats of the Homeless

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, approximately 10 percent of people experiencing homelessness have at least one pet. In some areas of the country, the figure is as high as 24 percent. The majority of homeless shelters do not allow pets, leaving people to make a difficult decision between staying with their animal companion or seeking services and accommodations from a shelter. 

February Star Sanctuary understands the bond between owners and their pets and therefore is partnering with human service agencies to provide temporary shelter for cats of homeless individuals and families. This helps those experiencing homelessness to rest assured that their animals are being well-taken care of, as they seek services to improve their living situation.  

February Star Sanctuary organizes the pickup of cats and brings them to our sanctuary. While cats are on-site, our staff and volunteers coordinate thorough wellness exams, provide preventative medicine to address acute and chronic medical issues, and deliver nutritious food. We are committed to providing these cats a temporary home until their owner has received the necessary assistance and resources, and/or is in a position to take their companion with them to an eligible shelter. In order to offer effective community outreach, there is no cost for participants in this program.