Dogwood Digest 2021

ADOPT A FUR BABY
“Saving one pet won’t change the world, but for that one pet their world will
change forever.”
Davis Cosey, founder of the nonprofit organization F.O.P.A.S. (Friends of the Perry
Animal Shelter), and director Lynne Gibbs, have been changing abandoned pet’s
worlds for a little over 15 years.
F.O.P.A.S. was first incorporated in October of 2004. The nonprofit organization
takes unclaimed animals from the Perry Animal Shelter and preps them for
adoption. Until about 5 years ago, the organization operated out of Gibbs’ home
along with other volunteers.
“Myself and a friend of mine had our own rescue organization called PAWS (Pets
Are Worth Saving),” Gibbs said. “Well in 2004 our license had expired. I had known
Davis, and he had already created F.O.P.A.S. So I went to him asking if we could
be listed under his license to continue our work-rescuing animals from the Perry
Animal Shelter. After some time had passed by, my friend had to stop due to her
health. But I couldn’t stop rescuing the animals. I am so thankful because then
Davis bought F.O.P.A.S’s first shop in 2016, and here we are today in a new location
because of how much we have grown. I am so grateful to Davis.”
“F.O.P.A.S. would not exist had it not been for Lynne,” Cosey said. “She has such
a big heart for animals, and was spending a lot of her money on food and medical
bills for the animals. So I created F.O.P.A.S to try and help raise the money. I am so
grateful to her and hard work in getting these animals adopted.”
F.O.P.A.S. works directly with the Perry Animal Shelter and Animal Control. The
shelter holds animals for seven days for owner reclaim. Gibbs said at that point
any rescue or person can pull them for adoption. F.O.P.A.S houses those animals
and assumes all care costs to get them prepped for adoption. Business hours are
Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the organization holds adoption
days at the PetSmart in Warner Robins every month on Saturdays.
Cosey said F.O.P.A.S. also offers to spay and neuter the animals free of charge to
those who can’t afford it. Cosey said they are able to provide that service through
grants the organization has received.
“We work with Westmoreland, Perry Animal Hospital, and Smith Animal Hospital
for our vetting,” Cosey said. “Along
with them there are just so many other
organizations and volunteers to thank
for all of their donations and time
spent at F.O.P.A.S. and we can’t say
thank you enough.”
If anyone is interested in adopting an
animal, donating to or volunteering at
F.O.P.A.S Gibbs said they welcome to
drop by during business hours at 204
Kellwood Drive or call 478-988-7854.
20 Perry Dogwood Festival 2021
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