Saving Cats, Building Community: The Mission Meow Story

Sally Williams never expected a hammock moment with her cat would spark a nationwide movement. As founder and president of Mission Meow, she's pioneering an innovative approach to saving America's struggling cat rescues through what she calls "business crowdfunding" - and the results are nothing short of remarkable.

The cat overpopulation crisis in America is reaching alarming levels, with female kittens able to reproduce by just four months of age. Small, grassroots organizations doing critical Trap-Neuter-Return work and providing adoption services are closing their doors at disturbing rates, often because they lack funding, recognition, and community support. Mission Meow steps in precisely where traditional funding falls short, providing substantial grants that transform these small rescues - from helping them acquire TNR equipment to building clinical spaces for cats awaiting adoption.

What truly sets Mission Meow apart is what Sally calls "the Mission Meow effect." Beyond financial support, recipient organizations report growth in their donor bases, increased volunteer participation, and renewed enthusiasm for their missions. Perhaps most poignantly, one rescue confided they had planned to close their doors despite having adequate funding because "they didn't think anybody cared" - a heartbreaking revelation that underscores how recognition and community support can be as crucial as financial assistance.

With nearly 90 business partners and growing individual donor support, Mission Meow has created a family-like community dedicated to feline welfare. Whether you can contribute $5 monthly (which Sally emphasizes makes a tremendous difference), volunteer your skills, or simply help spread awareness, there's a place for everyone in this mission. As Sally reflects, "I didn't know giving back would become the greatest joy of my life." Visit missionmeow.org to discover how you can join this transformative movement and help ensure no cat rescue closes simply because nobody cared.

Thanks for listening to the Fresh Patch podcast brought to you by Fresh Patch. We hope you enjoyed the show. Give us a like or a follow, or shop all of our real grass supplies at freshpatch.com. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Youtube, Reddit

Transcript

Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast, where we talk about everything from dog training to potty talk. It's time to save your rugs and get real. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Patch, featured on Shark Tank, Oprah, and the Today Show. And here are your hosts, Drew and Gabe.

SPEAKER_04 0:19

Welcome everybody to the Potty Talk podcast presented by Fresh Patch. Um, we have a very lovely guest today. But before we get there, we're gonna introduce ourselves. My name is Drew. I'm the marketing director here at Fresh Patch with my lovely co-host. My name is Gabe.

SPEAKER_02 0:34

I am the partnership's coordinator.

SPEAKER_04 0:36

And then, like I said, we'd have a very lovely guest today.

SPEAKER_01 0:39

So if you wouldn't mind introducing yourself, my name is Sally Williams, and I am the founder and president of a nonprofit called Mission Meow. Awesome.

SPEAKER_04 0:50

Yeah, then obviously for the viewers that are watching and not listening, she has um her logo right there placed with our fresh patch grass. So um we love to we love to see the grass on display. So thank you for that. And you were just saying before we before we really hopped on that your cats really are taken to the grass and hopped off when we started talking.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

But yeah, so when you know, I shared with you guys, and other people may not have seen. I did the whole, you know, get it out of the box, put it down. And I have four boys. I have four cats ranging in age from 10 years old to just four months. And they all immediately were okay, you know, just surrounding it, walking it. And then as soon as one stepped on it, it was like, Oh, wait, you step on that? And then he then he was on and then he was on it, and it was a it was a full-on cat party.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

There we go. So funny. I see a lot of like new cats, like they're a little like, what is this at first? And then they kind of like get into it, they're like, Oh, this is cool, you know. So that's funny.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

And mine were like, Oh, this is familiar too, because they I'm trained mine and I take them outside, so they were a little bit confused about oh, grass inside, yeah. This is amazing, you know.

SPEAKER_04 1:59

It's a new thing, yeah. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 2:01

Yeah, they loved it, and then when I put it in for those of those people that can't see it, it's in my office now and it's up on a chair and it's being supported by something underneath, too. And it's got my you know, my mission meow thing behind it. And Henry immediately, as soon as he saw it, I'm like, Well, this isn't a new place. Now I like it again, you know, which is all about enrichment, you know. A little variety in there.

SPEAKER_04 2:25

That's awesome. Well, glad to hear they're loving it. And before we continue, I did want to give us a chance to let everyone know to subscribe if you are listening or watching on YouTube. We're also on uh Spotify Podcast, Apple Podcasts. So hit that subscribe button. Uh give us a follow at Fresh Patch on all social medias, and then go give Mission Meow a follow as well. We'll have your handles uh posted there on the video so everyone can go check out your video.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

You just type out Mission Meow just about anywhere you find us.

SPEAKER_04 2:54

There you go. So everyone listening, go give them a follow.

SPEAKER_01 2:57

Check them out. Yep.

SPEAKER_04 2:58

Um cool. So let's dive into these questions. Let's get to know you a little more, let get to know about Mission Meow. Um, you have a great organization. I know we talked yesterday and really excited to uh begin a partnership with you.

SPEAKER_01 3:10

So we're so excited.

Mission Meow's Origin Story

SPEAKER_04 3:12

Yeah, let's let's get into it. So let's just start off by telling us about yourself, what Mission Meow is, and you know, your kind of the the mission statement.

SPEAKER_01 3:21

Sure. So um uh as I had mentioned, we talked yesterday. Uh uh I had been a founder director before of a previous nonprofit called the Brody Fund. Mission Meow wouldn't exist had I not had that experience, right? You know, I I I I just I needed that to get to where we are now. And when we said goodbye to the Brodie Fund, I took some time away and then recognized how much I truly missed running a nonprofit. And who would have thought me in a hammock with a cat and a book would have turned into a nonprofit, but it did. And it was a book about nonprofits. I was just starting to, you know, kind of marinate and think about that world again. And we were just coming out of COVID in an organization where I was a volunteer, had given up a big cafe space and pivoted to do TNR, which is Trap New to Return, and they downsized uh their building. And I thought, wow, you know, if that's happening with them, what's happening all across our country? Because we know if you are part of the cat community and you're interested in rescue or you just love cats, you're probably aware that we have an overpopulation problem. You know, there's our straight cats, feral cats, and there are organizations out there that help with that. And some do it through the trap neuter return, some focus on adoption, some focus on fostering, all this. So I started quick Googling state by state, um, cat rescue closing, cat rescue fundraiser, and it was really alarming to me. I couldn't believe the number that were closing, struggling, pivoting, like there was just a lot going on, and it didn't look very good. And I just thought, well, that's there's a need out there for some help because it's the small feline-centric nonprofits, these grassroots, these small organizations that are really the ones addressing the biggest problem, which is overpopulation through the work they do. And so, okay, now I have who I want to help. And then then it became the name. And I've said this before, and I kid you not, this is what happened. In my head, I was just thinking over and over, and I was just like, okay, what's my mission? And my let little cat west meowed. And I was like, well, that's a great name, mission meow. That's it.

SPEAKER_02 5:42

There it is. Boom. Yeah. So now I can name.

Business Crowdfunding Model

SPEAKER_01 5:46

And then it became um, how do I get this going quickly? Right? We need to, if we want to give them large grants, we can't do this the typical way, which means focusing on individual fundraisers, events, getting grants, all those things are doable, but they're harder and take longer. Um, events are super fun, but they're very unpredictable. I mean, I hosted a ton of events for the bro with the Brody Fund, and some of the ones that I thought were going to be home runs were, and some of the littler ones that I wasn't really sure about ended up being gangbusters. So, you know, and it takes a lot of work and planning and there's money to put out. So I thought, you know, let's just get all those off the plate. And then um, this was a sad situation, but it was inspiring. Um, uh a family had a fire in their home in the town next door, and they lost everything. And what happens in these communities, as we know, people pull together, right? And they give you clothes and all the goods that you need and they raise money. What I found so intriguing was that the downtown came together. So the businesses came together and did, you know, a portion of sales, and they held sipping shops and did all these things. And that's what really turned the light bulb on. And I was like, wow, businesses, this is how we make this happen. So I kind of decided to call business crowdfunding and started reaching out to the businesses that I had met through the Brody Fund by being at different cat conventions and my background as a cat behaviorist in speaking. So just slowly started making calls, and that was what we that's how we came to be and be able to give the large grants quickly. So we launched in October of 22. At that point, we had 34 business partners. We now have close to 90. And even though we only had that amount, we were able to give$10,000 in our very first grant cycle ever. That's so business partners are the foundation of the organization, but the way we can really give bigger is also with the individual donors joining in. And that's why we really, you know, we we have a big variety of the types of grants we give. So if you're in that cat community, whether you really like to support foster groups or TNR groups or ones that specialize in kittens, or there's always going to be a grant you're going to be excited about. Also, you nominate, you know, find find one in your community and have them fill out an application. Who knows? Maybe they get chosen and you'll be there when they receive their check. So uh that's what we do and and the why we do it, because these organizations uh tend to have a harder time getting grants. Um, and I think it's because you know, the larger organizations have a staff that can market these and get the word out into the community. But the issue is without these grassroots organizations succeeding, we're in a lot of trouble. The cat community and the population problem, we're in a lot of trouble. So that's why we focus on the small ones. And I'm telling you, um the grant and the money first and foremost, right? Paying for TNR equipment, um, uh helping out with expansions or doing renovations or we launched a foster program. I'm going to be doing a ribbon cutting very soon for an organization that is able to build a small clinic to care for the cats that they have waiting for adoption.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

That's awesome. That's so fun.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

Like that's amazing. But these are the kinds of things that we can do. And so not only do they get something they need, which they have a harder time doing because they tend to have smaller social media followings, smaller newsletter followings, and then they hit up the same donors over and over and over because of the size of the organization. So we can make these things happen faster for them. And then above and beyond that, we've coined something we call the Mission Meow effect. And what that means is beyond the money, we are finding that they're growing their audiences, they're getting more donors. It's easier for them to get the next grant. They're adding board members, they're adding more volunteers, and also they have a certain excitement that's now been generated. And, you know, I I will share, and I've said this before, we gave a surprise grant to an organization because we had picked the one we knew we wanted to launch a program, but we really, really wanted to help this other one. But it's very early on, we didn't really understand our fundraising capabilities. So I made a few calls, made a few extra emails, we raised an additional$6,000. I arranged for a Zoom, they had no idea what it was, and we told them you've you've been chosen to have a surprise grant,$6,000. Tears just start flowing. They are so relieved and so filled with joy. Um, we really say we make dreams come true, and that's what it really felt like for this organization. But what I didn't know was my phone rang the next day, and it was the founder, president of the organization who said, Sally, we were thinking of closing at the end of this year. And I was blown away. I thought, well, I've seen your budget because we do a deep dive before we give any grants, they get a full vetting. I said, You you have the ability to keep going. Why would you close? And she said, We didn't think anybody cared.

SPEAKER_04 11:27

Whoa. Yeah. Oh my gosh. That's what gets you right in the heart, you know, every time. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:32

And that's a big issue for them because of the size of the organizations. And often they're, you know, they might be in a major city, but in a very, you know, just a different part of the city that's maybe uh harder to fundraise in. They could be in a very rural area and there's just fewer donors. There's there's just a lot of reasons. Um, you know, and and what's going on, I mean, the world's a bit crazy right now, too. So it's it's hard to raise money. It's I know, trust me. Yeah, it's hard to raise money. And so to hear somebody say they were thinking of closing because they didn't think anybody cared, even though they could have financially moved forward, that was something I never expected to hear. Although I know burnout is real, yeah. I I guess hearing it just as blunt as that was really surprising. And now they still exist, they've moved to a larger space, they're doing more adoptions, but it just took that one, just that one thing, right? That one we see you, we hear you, and we're so grateful for the work that you're doing.

SPEAKER_02 12:39

Wow, that is so incredible. Like, you know, what you guys do is it's so awesome, and it's kind of like it's so interesting for us because um we actually have a partner, um, Valerie Phoenix Feral. She was on our podcast uh about a month ago, a month or two months or two ago, and she really opened our eyes to this issue of like feral cat. She's in Phoenix and it's a huge issue there. So she's like, Oh, I know.

SPEAKER_01 13:01

I have friends in Phoenix.

SPEAKER_02 13:02

Yeah, yeah, she taught us all about TNR and all that stuff, and and you know, she does a lot of this on her own. So, like to hear that there are organizations like this that help with that kind of stuff is is amazing to hear.

SPEAKER_01 13:13

And it's really hard work, and predominantly it's starting to change a little bit more now, but predominantly women, and a lot of these women that I mean, you could go back to our social media from a couple days ago. We posted a picture of a woman coming out of a crawl space.

SPEAKER_02 13:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:27

And I mean, there are women in cities. I I happen to know one who goes into an area and she occasionally wears, and this is alarming, but it's the truth, a bulletproof vest because she's going into very dangerous places. And I asked, Why do you do this? She's like, Because nobody else will.

SPEAKER_02 13:43

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 13:44

That's why we do this.

SPEAKER_02 13:45

Yeah, that's incredible.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

And to your point, a Phoenix, so think about the warmer climates, they don't really have an off season for kitten season. Their office is year-round. So those have bigger issues than where I am in the Northeast, because once it gets colder, you know, kittens stop being born. Yeah. So we get a break. But a lot of these places do not get a break. And people need to understand that and look at that pyramid and talk, you know, see what it means. Like one unneutered male, one unspayed female. I I forget exactly what it is, but I think in it's like in one year it might be 250,000 cats. And don't quote me, I could be wrong, but the the number's massive. If you look at it in 10 years, it's like a million cats.

SPEAKER_04 14:31

That's insane. Yeah, that's just crazy to me. Yeah, that's just that's wild. So yeah, then just multiply that. Like obviously, there's way more than two, you know, and then it just goes on and on and on. And yeah, yeah, that's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

A female kitten can get pregnant at four months old.

SPEAKER_04 14:46

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 14:47

If she is a litter of four kittens and three of those are females, guess what? In three months, four months. I mean, four months, those females can now have so it happens very quickly.

SPEAKER_04 14:57

Yeah, very, very quickly.

Cat Enrichment with Fresh Grass

SPEAKER_02 15:00

Um, so I wanted to dive in like a little bit. You briefly mentioned that you're a cat behavioralist, or you were before you know you were uh I retired. Wow, yeah, congratulations. But you know, as a cat behaviorist and also a cat mom, um uh we were talking about how you know we sent you some of our grass to try. Yeah. And you know, you were talking about how one of your cats fell in love with the so what uh from the perspective of like a cat behavioralist, like what do you think is going on there?

SPEAKER_01 15:31

So having the grass inside, I think is so key. And you know, there's a lot of reasons behind it. It's so for people that don't have the opportunity, like I do, of having a yard in a safe space, and I'm saying I harness train all mine, you know, because it doesn't matter that my fence, my yard is fenced in. Oh, they'll get out. I mean, whether they're intrigued by a bird or a squirrel or a noise just scares them. I mean, so I'm super duper careful. So even if you have a yard, it may not be ideal. Or what if you're in an apartment or someplace and you don't have that opportunity? It's just so awesome to have this product, to have the grass because I've watched mine, you know, you know, they're needing it. I I forget, I have to remember, I can't just make actions because people are listening. They're digging, they're kneading, they're sniffing, they're munching, they're rolling, they're sleeping. And I I shared a story yesterday. Um, and so one of my cats was recently diagnosed with cancer. Uh, knockwood, so far, he's doing great. Um, but because he's receiving treatment, he's considered immune compromised. So, right now there are risks for him. They're probably pretty small for him to go outside because we don't use pesticides in our yard. Our yard is fenced in, we don't have a tremendous amount of wildlife, and they don't interact with the wildlife because the wildlife tends to flee when they see it. But Henry has really taken to the grass, and I think it's he really misses like he looks outside, and but I just right now is not the time for him to be out there. So he is on the grass all the time, and he's been napping on it or just sitting on it. We throw, we have a young one too. We throw the toys on there, and so the toys react differently on the grass than they do on the wood floors. Um, and like what just happened today, just by moving it and elevating it, he Henry was all excited and curious, like, why is this up here? What's going on up here? And immediately jumped up and got right down into the loaf of bread position and just on there.

SPEAKER_04 17:37

The loaf of bread position. I love it.

SPEAKER_01 17:39

Gee, I hope it's just kind of cool because they've all had different experiences with it. And I think that, you know, at first they were a little confused by it because they know what the grass is because they do go outside. And why is this inside now, mom? But now that they get it, it makes sense and they really enjoy it because rainy days happen too. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 18:00

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 18:01

And I would recommend like what I just did. Like it's it's mostly in my office because I tend to be in here, and so that you know, I have a bed right there, I have a bed down there, the litter boxes are on either side of the so the cats tend to gravitate in here, so it's in here a lot, but the fact it's really easy to move that around. Yeah, I think that that's a great idea is that if you have the opportunity, move it to different places. Um, I also found that it can be used kind of like um other companies put out uh different ways of hiding treats. Yes, and I tucked treats down in there and they're sniffing around and going in. So it's a really that's another way of using it for enrichment. So the toys react differently in there. You can hide treats in there, you can definitely sprinkle some catnip in there, which I would highly recommend because then they're gonna be really enjoying and rolling in the grass. I just think there's so many different ways that that could be used.

SPEAKER_02 19:00

Definitely, yeah. It's funny you mentioned the putting the treats in there. Like cats have this like foraging instinct.

SPEAKER_01 19:06

They do, they're hunters by nature.

SPEAKER_02 19:08

Exactly. Yep.

SPEAKER_01 19:08

So we've had the thing is we want to activate that instinct because it's really healthy for them because cats, when they get bored, you know, will gravitate to maybe pulling on furniture or knocking things off. You know, people, there's the I won't say what they call them, but you know, jerks or whatever when they knock things off table. A lot of times it's just out of boredom, right? So let's give them things to do. And something like that is that you know, be creative with it, you know, catnip, treats, toys, um, and then they can just hang out.

SPEAKER_04 19:42

Yeah, exactly. And it's all natural too, which is the best part about it being real and stuff.

SPEAKER_05 19:47

And right, exactly.

SPEAKER_04 19:49

Yeah, yep. And I like what you said that they when you did open it up, they were familiar with it, but still skeptical at the same time. I feel like that correlates so well with our dog customers too, because it's kind of the same thing when you get a puppy, it's like they're naturally attracted because it is real grass. But at first, they're like, why is it inside? You know what I mean? Like, what this this is usually outside, and then, but once they feel it and get used to it, they're like, I'm in, I'm sold. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 20:12

So here's the thing, depending upon the personality, cat, like my mall, even Henry, who is shy with everybody else, he's very confident in the house. So if they were curious, I could pick them up and put them on the grass. I for cats that maybe are a little bit more shy. We never want to pick them up and have them be surprised about something. So that's when treats and catnip and things, toys like that, you know, you could put the favorite toy on a wand and bring it across the top of the grass, and then they're naturally gonna get into the grass without picking them up. You know, not all cats like being picked up, not all cats want to be kind of pushed into something. So there are different ways you can get them to gravitate to the grass if they're just, you know, kind of less sure. Um, and then I promise you, once they get on there, it's just it feels really good. And it probably taps into some part of their instincts too, of being outside. Definitely because they are so, I mean, there's I forget what the percentage of wild cat that's still a part of their DNA, but it's really strong and they're predator and prey, and that's all in there.

Building Relationships in Cat Rescue

SPEAKER_04 21:21

So yeah, it really yeah, the grass enhances that it brings it out, you know, and yes, which we love and we want, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 21:29

And so I would recommend like if you're doing any of the stuff with it and utilizing it for enrichment, feed them afterwards or give them treats afterwards, reward them for true. God knows mine love churu. So, you know, that's another way to lead them onto the mat is with churu, but have a nice play session with it and then have some rewards after it. I guarantee it's gonna encourage them to use it more.

SPEAKER_04 21:51

Very cool. That's awesome. Love that. I mean, that is just like and we're gonna clip all that for sure. That was like the best testimonial for the cat grass.

SPEAKER_02 21:59

That is so valuable for us because although we do love cats, like we don't really have any cat owners on our team. So like we're just yeah, we just want to soak up all this information. Yeah, exactly. I was just saying, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:13

The partnership has is starting, so you know, we will definitely one of the things that's important to me too, again with Henry having is uh uh you know, cats, a lot of cats have issues, right? Whether it be kidney disease or you know, in my case, it's cancer or other things. Because this is safe, you can feel good about it, you know. Um, because the reality is a lot of people treat their lawns. I mean, uh I know it was a big thing for my husband. Um I don't want to have weeds out there. Well, we're gonna do the best we can, yeah, and our grass is gonna be treated naturally, and whatever else I'll be weeding. Yeah. Because I don't want to think about not just not having the ability to take my cats outside, but I walk across the grass and then I come in the house. So then I'm bringing whatever is in the grass into my home enough for nothing. I feed birds, I feed chipmunks and squirrels. Why would I want to? So, you know, bring all that in. You want to feel safe with the grass that you're bringing in your house, whether they're definitely walking on it or nibbling on it, what uh however you're utilizing it in your house, you just you want to feel safe. And it's nice for me having Henry dealing with his cancer diagnosis. He's getting so much joy from this, and I can trust and feel good about that. It's safe for him.

SPEAKER_04 23:33

Yeah, definitely. And that's a huge thing for us here at Fresh Patch. I mean, everything's locally sourced right here. Um, it's hand packaged by us in the warehouse, so like you're literally only maybe one or two sets of hands is touching it before it gets to the customer, which is really cool, and you know, we really thrive to let people know it is farm fresh straight to your door. So we really try to keep it safe, you know, no pesticides or anything like that, like you were just explaining with your own grass and stuff.

SPEAKER_01 23:59

So yeah, really important because as the as the cat community is really kind of pushing out and saying we're here, we are the number one pet in all households, they're getting more savvy about what they're feeding, um, the toys that they're using and the things that they're bringing into the house. They're really getting a lot more education about that. So things like this are really important.

SPEAKER_04 24:25

Definitely, yeah. And I'm glad people are, you know, being savvy about it nowadays, too. It's uh that's a very good thing for cats, dolls. I mean, all pets, but you know, it's just you know, educate yourself, know what you're giving your animal. Like, you know, these are our children at the end of the day, you know. They are. So you want to you want to make sure they have a good life. Yeah. Um, cool. So moving on back to Mishim Meow. Um we have a special question of what is your most memorable experience so far with Mishim Meow? I'm sure you have a lot, but we have a lot.

SPEAKER_01 24:58

So I I'm gonna make it broad because there are so many, but it it's the central focus. It's all of the people and the uh collaborations and um the relationships. Whether it be a donor, a business partner, or um a grant recipient, it's a family. So it's really for me the best part of all of it. My favorite part are the relationships and the people that I'm meeting because at my core of who I am, I like to meet people, I like to make introductions, I like to collaborate. And this uh has allowed me to really personally be able to do that. And it's been great for Mission Meow to have this sense of family and community. And I think one of the highlights of that was an event called the feline fix fest. And so that event kind of encompassed all of those good things because we had board members there, we had donors there, we had grant recipients there, we had business partners there, and we impacted a community in a way that changed me uh forever, honestly, because I had so the Feline Fix Fest was a weekend where we worked with two grant recipients um post-the fires in California. Other board members raised a lot of money for us, and we were able to help two organizations, but also host this event. And it was a pet pantry, 90 cats got fixed, and I can't tell you how many people approached different people who were putting on this event, whether it was me, one of the influencers that was there, one of our board members, and said, Why did you come here? No one comes here. And I just thought, well, that's why. Yeah, you just answered it right there because there's a need. Your community was impacted, uh, jobs were lost, families are struggling, you're trying to keep your pets in your house and not have to make a decision between feeding your kids and feeding your cats. Yeah. Um, people don't have the money to fix them because, especially in California, the cost of that is outrageous. Um so, an event like that, all about the people, all about the connections, all about the Michigan family, and being able to give back in that kind of way and to be with the people and hug them and share the moments and understand what they're going through and be able to help in that kind of way was remarkable. But that's really it's the relationships and the people and that family. That's the most special thing. That's my favorite part about Mission Meow.

SPEAKER_04 27:47

There you go. I mean, amazing. Yeah, go for it. Yeah, you had something on your mind, it seems like. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 27:53

I was I just wanted to like throw this out there, but like if people like want to get involved, like they're watching this and they think, oh, this is really cool. I want to get involved with this. Like, how can people get involved with Mission Meow?

SPEAKER_01 28:03

I would just say you can reach out directly to me. Yeah, you can go to the mission meow website, missionmeow.org. You can communicate that way. Our email is there. You can email me directly at Sally at missionmeow.org. Come right to the source and we can figure something out. Because there's always a way. I feel like people think, you know, well, we're kind of all across the US. How can I help? But there's, you know, we have people that help us with social media. We have graphic designers, we have people who help with our finances. We there's just what what do you like to do? Think about what is it that you like to do, and let's see how we could make that happen. And if you don't have that ability, you know, be a donor at any level. And I will I will say this, and people talk about it all the time, but I really want them to understand how much$5 makes a difference. When we're talking to the organizations we're giving grants to, most of them will say that their recurring five to ten dollar donors are the foundation of their organization a hundred percent.

SPEAKER_04 29:05

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 29:06

All those things make a difference. So if you don't have a way, you don't feel like you have something that you can volunteer, if you can afford a couple bucks, that makes a huge difference. Um because it all matters, all of it matters because it's about us coming together, and that's how we make a difference. So whether you can volunteer and you have some kind of a skill set, maybe you're a good writer, maybe you can grant write, maybe you know, there's just so many different ways. Cause I certainly do not know how to do everything. And this is a huge team effort, and we have all sorts of volunteers. So think about what you like to do and that how that might translate to helping a nonprofit. I promise you, you won't regret it because giving back, I didn't realize it would become the greatest joy of my life. Um, but yeah, I mean, I worked retail for 25 years, my survived. I don't know how because that is a soul sucking lifestyle. And I ended up volunteering in an organization and it just kind of kept going and going and going until I ended up here. And I feel like this is I didn't know it was my calling, you know, that kind of thing. I didn't know. And it took a long time. I'm turning 59 this year. So it's not too late. If you're not sure, you can pivot and find what you're meant to be doing. I feel like it's just the greatest gift.

SPEAKER_04 30:30

Yep, definitely. So you heard it, listeners, viewers. If you want to get involved with Mission Meow, hit up Sally, Instagram, website, and think about what you know, what you like to do, what you can contribute to Mission Meow. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:44

Um super happy, right? Think about what you like doing and then figure out a way that it that would work for us. Or if you want to find an organization locally, if that's more your thing, find one. Like I started because I would I went through years of illness and I couldn't work. And my doctor was really smart and said, Well, you should get out and volunteer on the days you feel good. And he said, Without thinking, what do you want to do? And I'm like, Well, I like petting cats. He's like, So go pet cats. And that's that's what I did. I found a shelter, I started petting cats.

SPEAKER_05 31:18

Yeah, that's incredible.

SPEAKER_01 31:20

If you can't help Michael Meow, I guarantee you you can find an organization and go help. It will change your life.

SPEAKER_02 31:27

That's incredible. I just I love hearing about like it seems like to you, like the community aspect is like so uh important.

SPEAKER_01 31:36

We can't exist without it, right? Exactly. It's not just me. Um, and I've always said I do not suffer from founder syndrome. At some point, I hope somebody says, Sally, I can help Michael Meow grow, step aside. Like to me, it's just there's there's no ego in this, it's about helping cats and helping the people that love them. That's you know, like I I always warn people if you want to get into rescue because you only love cats, find something very independent that you want to do in some way. Maybe you just want to go out and be a trapper and that's it. Because the bulk of the work we do is interacting with people. I just happen to love both. You know, I love interacting with people and I love spending time with cats. So I I mean, this doesn't get any better.

SPEAKER_03 32:24

Yeah, it's a double whammy. Yeah, intersection of introduction.

SPEAKER_01 32:28

I get to see people like you guys and get introduced to new cool products all the time. Like I didn't know about you guys until I went to CatCon. Then I came up across this booth and I was like, all right, this is really cool. And then we connected through one of our board members and look where we are now.

SPEAKER_04 32:46

Yep, yeah, yep. It's just all right, it's all about building relationships, meeting community, you know, and then it is motivation too. Once you, you know, you meet new people or you spread the news to people, and it's like when they're on board too, it's just more motivation to you to you know keep going and keep continuing on the mission that you are on. So yeah, it's really cool. And I think we've said it multiple times.

SPEAKER_01 33:09

I feel like you're just like you're so newer to the cat community. There's so much that's gonna happen for you guys. I'm so excited.

SPEAKER_04 33:18

Yes, no, definitely. I know we're we're yes, so are we, and we're yeah, we're very excited. Like I mentioned you yesterday, we do have a new product coming out. I won't say anything because we're policing in about a month or hard launch in a month, but I know what it's all about.

SPEAKER_01 33:32

Stay tuned because it's I can't wait. I'm so excited for this.

SPEAKER_02 33:36

Yeah, we'll definitely be sending you over one. So yeah, that's what it's like.

SPEAKER_01 33:40

It can go like so. Everything you're seeing in here is going away. For those of you who didn't know what I just pointed out, my office is green, which grass greens.

SPEAKER_04 33:49

I was gonna point that out to you. Like, we got our green walls, you got green walls on green today.

SPEAKER_01 33:54

The green is going out. The green was when I launched my behavior business and it was to attract money, right? Ah now I'm ready for another change, and this whole one wall is gonna be catified with a center, uh frame your feline, and some shelving, and uh uh maybe something from you guys will be you know fit into that space, but I want it to really be more catified in here. It's getting a little, it's getting a little crowded, but I want that wall to be a cat focal wall.

Using Grass for Cats with CH

SPEAKER_04 34:25

Nice, definitely that'd be cool. Definitely have to post some pictures of that when once it's done. That is cool. Well, um, moving along, we're we're running out of time a little bit, but we know we got some time. We actually we don't we don't have a hard stop at 40 anymore, so we're good. I know you have a hard stop though, so I have a hard stop to go play pickleball.

SPEAKER_01 34:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 34:45

Here we go. Oh don't let us take away from that.

SPEAKER_02 34:47

Yeah. Sounds like a fun time.

SPEAKER_04 34:50

Um so we'll dive into the the question I mentioned before we uh start recording. Um, so we had a customer reach out um and thought you'd be the perfect person to ask. Um someone they have a cat, uh someone with a cat with a wobbly disease struggles to go pot potty in a regular cat box and it needs lowered edges because they aren't stable and they kind of get scared when they're in there. They want to know if the grass would be a good option to transition to.

SPEAKER_01 35:19

I would say it's worth a try.

SPEAKER_04 35:20

Right.

SPEAKER_01 35:21

Right? I would totally try. I mean, it's proven for dogs. Yeah, right. It's proven that it works for dogs. So I mean, low sides.

SPEAKER_05 35:31

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 35:32

Yeah, uh feeling hyperthesia is something that that can be very challenging for litter boxes.

SPEAKER_05 35:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:38

And so um I here's the thing. I mean, I don't know what what the ch level is like, so I can't uh, you know, because some need an assist. Like we have a board member who has a cat who has severe, and so they have pot scheduled potty times. So that may be something that they have to consider is that you know, if they need a lot of assistance, they they need, but we know that dogs use it, right?

SPEAKER_04 36:05

Exactly. Yep. So one of our coworkers, um, his cat uses it for he has four cats, only one of them uses it for potty too. So that's where we really found out. We're like, okay, you know, it's a it's possible, it's definitely a little alternative.

SPEAKER_01 36:19

I mean, what what do cats do outside? Umly the only thing is that they also tend to, but with the feeling of hypersthesia, it may not be as much of an issue. Cats can get picky about having to cover, and so the grass won't probably cover as easily, right? Like they like to pull and cover. Gotcha. The CH kitty, they may not have that same need because they may not. Oh, look what I just did. Look at that party. Yeah, a lot of things that happen. I would say it can't hurt to try though. Um, you know, I I would go for it.

SPEAKER_04 37:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 37:01

Soft, um, clean. Uh I I can't see any downside to giving it a try.

SPEAKER_04 37:08

Yeah, and I think like you said, yeah, at least give it a try, and then you know, if maybe they have to create a potty schedule after, that's just something they'll learn by, you know, at least trying it out.

SPEAKER_01 37:16

So there are so many different things that go on with CH Kitties, and they are incredible. I mean, they led such amazing lives, and you know, I'm glad that that was the question that came from somebody. I'm so glad, and thank you. I'm hoping you're watching this because thank you for giving a CH Kitty at home. And I know that you will feel so much love that you're gonna get back from a kitty like that. Because I I know that with having a cat with cancer and having other cats with different needs, um, one of the things that comes along with some of the challenges is the bond. The bond becomes stronger because they need you for more things, right? So you just so with CH Kitties, or in my case, Henry, who has cancer, there's medication, there's veterinary chips, we're spending a lot more time together. And oh my gosh, just now he's like just glued to me all the time. So, you know, with those challenges comes an immense amount of love. So thank you to that person that welcomed a CH Kitty into their life.

SPEAKER_04 38:18

Yeah, and thank you for for the feedback. We appreciate it. And I'll let our uh Adriana was the one who threw that question at us last minute. So I'll let her know your your response. I don't know if it came through a DM or a comment or or but yeah, appreciate that. Like that's what I mentioned too. I was like, we we have the tray. I was like, that's the low, very low profile, you know, it's not like our box, which sits up a little taller, so um worth the shot.

SPEAKER_01 38:41

So and if they also, if they have an instinct, like it, and if it is like so a less severe CH and they're just a little wobbly and they like the idea of it, uh, but their cat is trying to cover, they could, you know, you could loosen some of the grass up a little bit, like trim some of the grass and in in it and have them have the ability. I'm just trying to like brainstorm that, like so maybe you know, take some a portion of the grass, probably trim it up, loosen some up so then they can have the satisfaction of pulling some of the grass over to cover that's a really good idea. Solution, maybe.

SPEAKER_04 39:16

Yeah, no, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 39:17

Because I know that hard to cats that are struggling sometimes with litter box issues. We would tell them go outside and get a little bit of nature, a little bit of grass and a little bit of dirt, and just have bit like a little bit of litter in there, not too much, and throw a little dirt and grass in there to encourage them. So that's what got me thinking, maybe just trimming up a little grass.

SPEAKER_04 39:36

There you go. There we go. I'm writing that down. I'm writing seriously. Good, good um um cat grass techniques for us. So absolutely things I'm gonna start thinking of.

SPEAKER_01 39:47

I'm gonna be like, Did you think of this? Did you think of this? Yeah, please let us know.

SPEAKER_04 39:51

Bring them our way because, like we said, you know, we're we're we're dog owners. I'm actually allergic to cats. Uh so and that's why I mean I love I love there.

SPEAKER_01 40:03

There we go.

SPEAKER_04 40:04

Send those my way too. So but yeah, I love cats, and like you know, like we're meeting people like you is great because we get to learn more about how not only about cats, but how our product can benefit them. And then yeah, you know, you've been with cats your whole life, so it's easy, like you just said. Hey, let when I get an idea, send it our way. Like we would love to get that.

SPEAKER_01 40:22

You don't know this about me, but I will share. So when my all these years ago, ancient times, um when my mom was pregnant with me, um, our family cat slept on her belly. Wow, so I was inside and the cat was on me. And then when I was born, the cat immediately gravitated to me in the bassinet and slept with me. And back then there were all the things, oh, it's gonna steal the baby's breath, and which obviously didn't happen. But Sandy's Sandy slept in the bassinet with me, and he just knew. So I feel like I was imprinted on 100%.

SPEAKER_04 40:56

You were born into the cat world. Uh yeah, definitely meant to be.

SPEAKER_02 41:01

That's a big kismet kind of thing. Um, like who knew?

SPEAKER_01 41:04

Yeah, there's a word uh uh was besherit, is yeah, that's for meant to be.

SPEAKER_04 41:09

There you go.

SPEAKER_01 41:09

I'm sorry, I picked that one up. I just always like that word. Yeah, that's cool.

SPEAKER_04 41:13

Awesome. Well, um, to get things wrapped up, I know it is we've been out here for 45 minutes.

SPEAKER_01 41:19

I know we gotta play pickleball. I know, right?

SPEAKER_04 41:22

Exercise. Cool. Well, thank you. And just wanted to let all the viewers and listeners know to hit that subscribe button if you didn't at the beginning of the episode. Give Fresh Patch a follow on all social medias. Um, and then of course, follow Mission Meow. Check out their website. Sally is wonderful. The Mission Meow is wonderful. The nonprofit is um everything about you guys is fantastic, and I can't wait to continue working with you.

SPEAKER_01 41:50

I know we're gonna do great things.

SPEAKER_04 41:52

Yes, we are. Yes, we are so excited.

SPEAKER_01 41:53

Yeah, and so it brought you into the family now.

SPEAKER_02 41:56

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. But seriously, uh, to those interested, like hit up Sally.

SPEAKER_01 42:02

Um, like she was saying, there's so many opportunities to get involved, and and like if there are, and if it's not with us, because we have so many people that we know all across the United States, we can find something. You know, if it's not with Michigan Meow, we'll connect you to somebody for sure.

SPEAKER_04 42:18

Incredible, awesome. Well, thank you so much, Sally. We really appreciate you taking the time. Good luck in your pickleball match. We hope you win. We'll be ready for you. Everybody, keep an eye out. Mission Meow and Fresh Patch will be working together and uh moving forward. So thank you again.

SPEAKER_00 42:35

Thank you so much. Thanks for listening to the Potty Time Podcast, brought to you by Fresh Patch. We hope you enjoyed the show. Give us a like or a follow, or shop all of our real grass supplies at freshpatch.com.