Today we’d like to introduce you to Diviya Roney.
Diviya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Seven years ago I walked into Clayton Co Animal Control. I heard of the massive euthanasia rate for cats but did not realize how bad things were. Captain Thompson and Asst Capt Taylor spoke with me and asked if I’d be willing to help advocate for some of their cats. I started Friends of Clayton Co Cats. In seven years my volunteer group has saved over 13,000 cats from euthanasia. What was once a high kill is a no kill for the cats!
Over the years I invested hours and hours into this program. I realized the big issue in Clayton Co was lack of education and resources. I launched Frida’s Foundation to provide spay and neuter to low income families, to educate them, and to provide food and supplies if needed. The goal is to prevent people from surrendering their pets simply cause they have fallen on hard times. Since I live in Cherokee County, these services are offered to residents of Cherokee as well. Frida’s Foundation is also heavily focused on TNR – Trap Neuter Release of feral cats. The more we can limit the population of street cats, the less enter shelters & less die on the streets.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes and No. Clayton Co Animal Control has come a very long way in the 7 years. There is a new facility, TNR ordinance that was passed in 2019, pet pictures are finally marketable, and they now have a Vet on Staff. None of this was the case back in 2013. As for Frida’s – I would like to expand the spay & neuter and TNR services into other GA counties! To do that we need more funds, more people willing to partner, to schedule vet appointments, more trappers for feral cats, more transporters, volunteers, basically many many more hands on deck!
Please tell us about the organization.
Frida’s Foundation got its name from my senior cat Frida who passed away in Oct 2019. I call this a legacy foundation – after one human named Katie Bell who committed suicide in 2014 and her two cats Max and Frida that became mine.
What sets us apart? We are not a rescue. We are a 501c3 non-profit charity organization to help pets and people in need. We want to be able to help owners keep their pets by providing spay and neuter and supplies as needed.
We are a 100% donation run and 100% volunteer run. Since our official launch in July 2019, we have already fixed over 200 cats, taken on 2 very big medical cases involving burned cats, provided food and supplies to well over 25 families. Our goal for 2020 is to fix 500 cats!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Taking a high kill animal control and making it a no kill for the cats. I am a huge believer in the man above – so all praises and glory go to him.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fridasfoundation.com
- Email: fridasfoundation@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fridasfoundation
Image Credit:
Caryn Presswood Photography
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