October 16, 2021

Pickerington non-profit Forgotten-4-Paws (F4P) was founded in 1996 “to raise funds to assist in spays and neuters for homeless animals along with other medical needs,” per spokesperson Wanda Dailey.

The group does not have a shelter but does make use of foster homes, and F4P promotes available animals through social media and the Easton Pet Smart.

“We are an all-volunteer organization, so all funds are used for vet care and spays and neuters,” Dailey said.

At times, the plight of these cats and dogs becomes overwhelming, Dailey said, but that concern is what drives the F4P volunteers to keep doing what they do. Without rescue most of the homeless animals would “live lives of being hungry, cold, sick, alone, hit by car, abused and of course their number one predator is the coyote. If we don’t help, then who will?”

Cats can have three litters a year. In the past year, F4P has assisted with 175 spays and along with providing other veterinary care.

“This is not a simple problem,” Dailey said. “It lies heavy on the heart strings.”

Over the years, F4P has helped hundreds of animals. Recently, organization volunteers rescued a sickly kitten that they named “Tigz”.

“Little Tigz was rescued from the streets,” said a volunteer who wants to be known only as Heather. “He was very tiny and emaciated for quite some time. His rescuer emailed us, and we took him into our program.”

Tigz was placed into a foster home and began receiving regular meals and veterinary care. Within weeks he had recovered his health and was adopted.

F4P also helps people with trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs for feral cats.

One day, a woman whom F4P had been assisting with spays and neuters called the organization to report that a stray kitten had been hit by a car. The friendly kitten, which they named “Lilac”, had suffered a very bad femoral fracture along with various other injuries.

“Our fantastic vet partners have helped her through her complicated surgery and here in a couple months she should be back on her feet so to speak,” Heather said. “She still suffers from neurological issues, but we are all hoping that subsides with time.”

To help F4P save more animals, five years ago Rick “the Llama Guy” Wagner, owner of Wagner Insurance Agency, created the “Networking for Paws” event.

“I started this as a way to fulfill two passions,” Wagner said. “The first is networking with other professionals and business owner to help grow their business and increase my referral network to ultimately help grow my business as well.  The second is to help a fantastic small animal rescue group Forgotten-4-Paws raise money to further their cause. All of my seven cats have come from this great all-volunteer rescue group.”

At “Networking for Paws,” business owners and nonprofit leaders meet one-on-one with the other participants to swap short sales pitches. 

This year’s event will be held November 9 from 5 pm to 8:30 pm at Combustion Brewery & Taproom (80 West Church Street, Pickerington).

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided by Blue Moon Catering, and there will be a cash bar as well as a silent auction.

The price to participate in the networking only portion of the event is $20.00 and includes admission and inclusion in the program (if reserved before October 29).

This networking event can either be an open networking, where you visit with the business owners who have table displays, or you can walk around meeting the other professionals on your own.

“The speed networking sessions offer the opportunity to meet many more professionals by giving a quick 30 to 60 second commercial (depending on the total amount of participants) about your business,” Wagner said.  “I line everyone up in the center of the room in different blocks and time the event so everyone gets an equal time to talk. Each person should be able to meet 30 to 40 different professionals (depending on the total amount of participants). I suggest exchanging business cards , brochures or any additional information.”

Other sponsorship opportunities range from the $50.00 exhibitor level, which includes a table for promotional materials along with a mention on Facebook Live, to the $300.00 “Angel” level, which additionally includes a three-minute commercial, a full-page ad in the program, a goodie bag and inclusion on the flyers and social media advertising.

For a full list of sponsorship opportunities or to register, contact Rick Wagner for RSVP at 614-203-3158 or by email at: rickwagner@wagnerinsuranceagency.net

Wagner Insurance is still accepting items for the silent auction.  All companies which donate by October 29 will receive special recognition in the program.

Event Schedule:

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Open networking, visit the exhibitors, shop our Silent Auction, and enjoy fantastic hors d’oeuvres from Blue Moon Catering and refreshments

6:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Speed networking session #1

6:30 pm to 7:00 pm – Open networking, visit the exhibitors, shop our Silent Auction, and enjoy fantastic hors d’oeuvres from Blue Moon Catering and refreshments

7:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Sponsor commercials

7:15 pm to 7:45 pm – Speed networking session #2

7:45 pm to 8:00 pm – Open networking, visit the exhibitors, finish up shopping our Silent Auction and enjoy fantastic hors d’oeuvres from Blue Moon Catering and refreshments

8:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Silent Auction closes and check out. 50-50 winner announced

For those who cannot attend the event but still wish to contribute, funds are accepted on the donation page of the F4P website. People can also help by purchasing through the Amazon Smiles program and by enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards.

To browse through the pets currently available, visit the group’s Petfinder page. Only cats have been rescued so far; however, F4P would take in dogs if there was a need.