In 2022, twelve-year-old Finn Laska’s passion for aiding cats materialized into the establishment of his own cat rescue, Finn’s Furever Feline Rescue. Fueled by a genuine love for felines and inspired by his aunt, a veterinary technician, Laska embarked on this venture to be a vocal advocate for all cats in need.
The primary focus of Finn’s Furever Feline Rescue is to assist feral, stray, and community cats. Employing humane trapping methods, Laska captures the cats and transports them to veterinary facilities for spaying or neutering and vaccination, following the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) protocol.
Laska explained, “Some feral cats, unable to be socialized for adoption, are returned to their original trapping locations. Cats that undergo TNVR have their left ears tipped, serving as a universal sign that they have been fixed. Feral kittens discovered during trapping are taken to the vet, socialized, and later made available for adoption.”
Transitioning to a nonprofit status in August 2023, Finn’s Furever Feline Rescue aims not only to rescue cats but also to educate the community. Laska stresses the importance of spaying and neutering all cats, including those living outdoors, to maintain their health and prevent unwanted litters.
“If people feed outside cats, it is very important that the cats be fixed and vaccinated,” Laska emphasized. “This will help the cat stay healthy and also prevent them from having kittens. If people just focus on rescuing kittens, they aren’t fixing the real problem. My rescue also rescues cats that are homeless or in emergency need.”
Another pivotal goal for Laska and his rescue is to enhance the quality of life for feral, stray, and community cats. For friendly cats, efforts are directed towards finding permanent homes, while in winter, Laska constructs shelters for outdoor cats to ensure their warmth and well-being.
For Laska, managing the rescue serves as an avenue to both assist and educate. “I am helping cats and making a difference in their lives,” he said. “I like teaching people about TNVR. I also want to encourage more kids like me to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Above all, Laska underscores the critical importance of spaying and neutering cats. “It is extremely important to spay and neuter all cats,” he affirmed. “If people feed outside cats, they need to be fixed and vaccinated to help give them better lives. Outside cats also need shelters in the winter, and I make them for people that need them.”
