Here is an article that was in the Centre Daily Times on Monday. I wrote to the CDT asking them to do another story on her and well it did help so that's great.



Home, heart overflow with stray cats
By Stephanie Koons- [email protected]

For the past seven-and-a-half years, Shirley Fonda, of State College, has dedicated her life to finding homes for abandoned cats.

But she can’t do it forever, and finding people to ease her load has become another challenge. Fonda, 73, has housed about 755 cats in her Park Forest home. Currently, there are about 60 cats that live in colonies in seven rooms.

About three years ago, Fonda formed a nonprofit organization called Fonda's Foundlings. With the help of two volunteers, she shows cats at Petco every Saturday, and advertises on pet finder.com, statecollege.com and Craigslist. She also posts flyers in grocery stores and veterinary clinics.

Getting the cats adopted is a slow process, Fonda said, and at her age, she doesn’t know how much longer she will be able to care for them.

“I don’t know, there’s just no real answer, “ she said. “ ... There’s just a need for someone to take over for me.”

It takes about three hours each morning to feed the cats, she said, and they also want to be petted. While her husband, Tom, helps her with lifting heavy bags of food and litter, it is physically draining for both of them.

“It’s not an inconvenience, it’s just frustrating that I can’t find good homes for these cats,” she said. “And I would love to have some free time.”

A native of Iowa, Fonda graduated from State College Area High School and earned a doctorate in geology from Penn State. She worked as a wildlife rehabilitator for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for about 25 years. People started bringing injured cats and kittens to her, and local police and Centre County PAWS have asked her to trap stray cats.

“It’s amazing that she can get that connection with cats and get them to not fear people,” said Melissa Aiken, of State College, who has been working with Fonda’s Foundlings for about two years.

Fonda rescues a lot of cats that have been abandoned by Penn State students after they vacate their apartments. She has also taken in cats found at Toftrees and the former Mellott Mobile Home Park in Patton Township.

“She just can’t say no to an animal in need,” said Carol Vail, of State College, who has known Fonda for at least 20 years.

“She always finds time for the animals. She’s just a wonderful person and I wish people would help her by adopting her cats.”

The enormous number of homeless cats, Fonda said, is a result of pet owners not taking precautions.

“I think that’s the big problem nowadays, that people aren’t neutering or spaying their pets,” she said.

She won’t take in any more cats, she said, although she may help endangered kittens.

“I don’t mind helping people with the problem, I just can’t take on more or I’ll always take on more,” she said.

Another barrier that Fonda faces is fundraising. She pays vet bills out of her own pocket and is looking for someone to write grant proposals. Having taught piano for 40 years, she gets some additional money by accompanying students at recitals.

Despite the challenges she faces, Fonda said she gets a lot of joy from her work with cats.

“It’s just a delight to be able to turn their lives around and give them a nice home,” she said.

Editor’s note:Each Monday, “Helping Neighbors” will feature an exceptional volunteer in Centre County. To nominate someone for a future story, e-mail cdtnews [email protected].

HOW TO HELP

Those who would like to donate money, adopt a cat or foster kittens may contact Shirley Fonda at 238-4758, or write to her at 1956 Norwood Lane, State College, PA 16803- 1326, or e-mail her at [email protected]