Feline Advocates of Leon County
F.A.L.C.
Meet the Board of Directors
Michelle Hartsfield
President & Founder
I'm a local high school teacher by day, cat rescuer by night! For years I had daydreamed about starting a cat cafe. Through dedication and persistence, we made it happen with the help of some incredible people. Then, a few years into the operation, and after witnessing the dire need for more resources to help cats in Tallahassee, we evolved into a full-blown cat rescue saving over 300 cats per year and finding them forever homes. I am so proud of our team!
Dr. Sara Jones
Vice President
Hi! My name is Sara and I serve as the Vice President and Medical Coordinator. I'm often running kitties to vet appointments, coordinating spay/neuters and transports, and assisting our Foster Coordinator by monitoring sick cats and special medical cases. I do have a soft spot for neonatal orphaned kittens, and I am a trained bottle feeder and critical care foster. It is so rewarding to help tiny kittens that can't walk, see, or eat on their own develop into healthy adoptable cats. During kitten season, you'll probably catch me out and about with my bottle babies in tow. Outside of cat rescue I enjoy playing the violin, cuddling with my 3 cats, and my career as a scientist. It is a privilege to be part of this amazing organization!
Gisele Poitras
Secretary
Hey there! My love for rescuing cats is almost as strong as my obsession with my own kitty rescues. I adopted QT in August of 2021 from Fat Cat Books, when he was 13 years old. I instantly fell in love with the rescue, just like I fell in love with my QT. I have since fostered numerous kitties, including senior cats which are my personal favorites. I serve as Foster Coordinator, Adoption Coordinator, and FALC Secretary. I am so honored and appreciative to be a part of this wonderful and passionate group, dedicated to saving, protecting, advocating for, and loving kitties (especially the oldies)!
Melissa Blake
Director
My passion for cat rescue began after seeing firsthand what a pressing issue cat homelessness is in the Leon County area. I began taking care of the neighborhood cats after their owners moved and left them behind. After successfully fostering and adopting out a few kitties on my own I realized this was something I wanted to continue doing.
Cailee Geddis
Director
I'm Cailee, and I love all animals! I just recently graduated in the Fall of 2020, with my Bachelor's in Psychology. I've been with Fat Cat Cafe since it's opening, and love helping people find their new family member! FALC and everyone involved in the rescue is one giant family and I love how we all genuinely care about each other and the kitties.
Lindsey Viramontes
Director
My name is Lindsey and I've been crazy cat lady all my life! I have been working at Fat Cat Cafe for almost 2 years and also work at Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital. I have 5 cats that I rescued as kittens including Sirius here, my maine coon. I love animals, music, painting, and spending time with my husband and son.
Becky Kring
Director
Books and reading. And now cats, too. The rescued cats who live at Fat Cat Books won me over when I helped shelve books there during Pandemic Year #1. I have a civil servant day job but the patient FALC humans teach me a little more daily about cat rescue, why it's needed, cat care, and, as T.S. Eliot put it: "how you ad-dress a cat." The passion and dedication of FALC's directors, volunteers, and kitty foster parents, and generosity of our patrons continually motivate me and renew my outlook on life.
Gloria Alvarez
Director
Profile coming soon!