Just for Fun: A Shout-Out to Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary in Faribault, MN USA

Let’s take a break from science today and dive headfirst into something that just makes my heart purr—Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary, nestled right here in Minnesota in the city of Faribault.

Imagine a place where over 300 feral cats roam free in safety, community, and comfort. Where they aren’t just tolerated—they’re loved. That’s Furball Farm. This incredible sanctuary doesn’t just house cats—they celebrate them. And honestly? They do it with a style and spirit that’s pure social media magic.

Let’s be real: their social media game is STRONG. I don’t say that lightly. Their videos are heartfelt, hilarious, and honest without being preachy. They share real moments—sweet nuzzles, little cat dramas, happy tails—and I shed happy tears every time I watch. These aren’t curated cat influencers. These are ferals with stories, scars, and sass. And they are seen.

And in a world where some folks have left Facebook behind? Furball Farm stays. And posts. And cares. And they do it without politics. Without drama. Without noise. Just… cats. And connection. And joy.

Their YouTube livestreams are usually just what my soul needs: cats being cats. Napping in corners, wandering around or just existing with the volunteers and visitors who love them. Nothing fancy. Just raw, peaceful, ordinary magic.

I had the joy of visiting once. It was everything I hoped it would be—and more. I asked about FeLV cats, and they shared something that hit me hard: they don’t encounter many. Not because they don’t care—but because FeLV+ cats usually don’t survive long enough to make it to sanctuary. And that truth stuck with me.

So when I watch their videos and live feeds now, I do it with my FeLV warrior heart wide open. I cheer for every cat who made it there. I mourn those who don't and those that cross the rainbow bridge. I root for every adoption. Every pet that comes with the patience and time that these volunteers and visitors give. Every crusty-eared boy who finds a patch of sunlight and decides, finally, that he’s safe and home.

Bonus awesome: As of May 5, 2025, Furball Farm now has their own on-site veterinarian! That’s game-changing support for cats who were once completely overlooked by society. They even have an Airbnb on site if you want to stay and be part of the magic yourself.

If you’ve never watched their stories, go now. Like—now. And if you have? Watch again. Let your heart stretch a little wider. Let your smile linger a little longer.

• Visit their website
• Watch them on YouTube
• Follow them on Facebook
• Stay at their Airbnb

To Furball Farm: Thank you. Thank you for showing what compassion looks like in action. Thank you for your heart, your humor, and your hope.

I see you. I cheer for you. And I’m so, so grateful you exist.

Finding the Nitty-Gritty: Dr. Bozelka Talks FeLV

I’m not even sure how I stumbled onto Dr. Bozelka—an ER vet on YouTube with a hilariously nerdy sense of humor that matches mine perfectly. You can follow him here.

What started as short, goofy videos turned into a binge session of some very informative—and very appreciated—longer videos on cats. One of them focused on Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and I’ve rewatched it several times in my ongoing efforts to understand the basics of this virus and fight it.

Here’s the full video:

He calls it a “whopper” of a virus—and oh, how I get that. As I dive deeper into test results, antiretroviral treatments, and the unpredictable nature of FeLV, it’s become clear: this isn’t something you can casually read about and walk away from. It takes commitment and curiosity. And mostly, sheer stubbornness.

These two moments in the video made me nod out loud:

Eventually, I commented on the video. Here’s what I wrote:

Great overview on FeLV! I'd love to see a follow-up that dives into the "nitty-gritty nerdy details" and scientific complexities behind this virus. We’ve been using antiretrovirals like raltegravir and dolutegravir to treat our asymptomatic FeLV+ Maine Coon, tracking progress with Quantitative FeLV PCR tests. The results have varied over time, and we're now exploring combination therapy (cART) as a possible next step. It would be amazing to hear your take on these treatment approaches—and the future of fighting this virus—from a more in-depth scientific perspective. Thanks again for shedding light on such an important and often overlooked topic!

Will he respond? I don’t know. But the FeLV video itself was originally requested by a viewer—so I’m holding onto hope that someday, he’ll dig into the complex treatment paths, like the one I’m navigating right now with Chiana and with others on the Facebook group. Because for some of us, this isn’t just science—it’s personal.