Mission Statement
“Froggie’s Pond is a volunteer run organization which provides rescue, medical care, adoption, and long term sanctuary for stray and unwanted FeLV/FIV positive cats. Due to our limited space and overwhelming response we must limit our scope to the Battle Creek, Mi area. In the future we hope to be able to expand our boundaries as our facility and funding allow.”
“Froggie’s Pond was formed in July 2007 by Dr. Benjamin & Sara Huelsbergen as a sanctuary for stray and unwanted cats that are Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and/or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) positive. Froggie’s Pond was granted 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status by the end of July 2007. Dr. Ben and Sara have a long history of caring for stray and sick animals of all kinds extending back to their childhoods. The desire to help animals and make their lives better is what has drawn Dr. Ben and Sara to Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ben Huelsbergen graduated from Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. In 2002 Sara Huelsbergen received her BS from Michigan State University in Veterinary Technology. Their combined educational backgrounds and desire to help animals in need make them well suited to run a sanctuary like Froggie’s Pond.
Froggie’s Pond does not have it’s own facility at this time, but is leasing cage space from Turner Veterinary Clinic to house its residents. Froggie’s Pond is currently home to 44 felines, whom we hope to move to a separate and permanent location within the next calendar year . At that time we will be able to expand our number of permanent residents. We are a fully volunteer run organization. If you are interested in helping please visit our ‘How can I help’ page for more information.
Since our founding in 2007, Froggie’s Pond has continued to grow and evolve as needs have presented themselves. We currently provide sanctuary and medical care for 43 feline friends. Most are affected by either FeLV or FIV while a few are carriers of both diseases. We also maintain a number of healthy (negative) cats as blood donors to help our affected residents when needed. In our six year existence we have added two outdoor enclosures to help provide additional room to allow new cats into our sanctuary. Even with these two new areas we are still over our “maximum” 35 cats with 43 current residents. Since 2007 Froggie’s Pond has provided care for a total of 70 cats, 23 of whom have passed away in those 6 years. We have also managed to find special forever homes for 4 of our former residents: Oliver, Kirby, Veruca and Gator.”