About Us – Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation

What is the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation?

We are a a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to giving every life a chance. We specialize in neonatal at-risk kittens – those suffering from sacrocaudal fractures (aka tail pull injuries), atresia ani, mega esophagus, strangulation injuries, generalized failure to thrive and so much more. Historically there was little no hope for these kittens – their medical care costs were too great, medical knowledge about their conditions was few and far inbetween, and they were more often deemed unadoptable. There are no odds too great and no kitten too small for the head of the foundation, Ellen Carozza, to take under her wing. All donations go toward the care and medical treatment for these incredibly special kittens.

CGMFF Executive Board

Ellen M. Carozza LVT, VTS (CP-Feline) | President

A Licensed Veterinary Technician since 1996 who has worked exclusively with feline patients since 2002, Ellen (The CAT LVT) is one of the founders of the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation, our 501(c)3 dedicated to the critical feline neonate and pediatric cases.

In addition to her full time job as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, and her mother of kittens role with the foundation, she also lectures on the veterinary circuit. She has been featured in “AAHA Trends Magazine”, “Today’s Veterinary Nurse” as well social media news “LOVE MEOW”, “The DODO”, and Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp – to name a few – with her work on saving critical kittens instead of euthanasia.

Ellen rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes most of the kittens that come through the foundation as well as teaching others that advanced medical care is possible for the smallest and most fragile patients.

You can catch her on Instagram sharing her success stories and life in feline medicine.

Sophie Van Etten, LVT | Webmaster

A Licensed Veterinary Technician since 2019, Sophie was introduced to Ellen & the CGMFF when she started at NOVA Cat Clinic in 2015. Sophie works for the Georgia Aquarium, sits on the executive board for the Georgia Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant Association (https://www.gvtaa.org/), and joined Ellen & Dr. Neuman on the 2023 trip to Otavalo, Ecuador with the Dogs of Otavalo (https://dogsofotavalo.com/) in 2023.

Brian Neumann, DVM | Treasurer & Medical Provider

Brian Neumann is the part owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Alexandria, Virginia. He attended undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. He completed his veterinary degree at Virginia Tech (Virginia-Maryland college of veterinary medicine) as well in 2014. He completed a one year internship in emergency medicine, and has been a general practitioner at Caring Hands ever since.

Dr. Neumann is heavily involved in his state veterinary medical association, where he serves as the president -elect on the state executive board, a mentor to the veterinary college, and the co-lead facilitator for the VVMA’s young leadership program, “The Power of 10”.

In his spare time, he enjoys scuba diving, fishing, running, international travel, American football, cooking, and spending time with his family, girlfriend, and friends.

Kimberly Truby | Head Foster

Hi, I am Kimberly Truby and I started fostering for Ellen in 2019. I currently have fostered about 48 kittens and am Mama to Eggbert and Squash AKA The Dangle Gang. I have had a variety of special needs kittens but my heart lies with the paralyzed/diaper cats. I love being able to help others with paralyzed cats with tips and tricks from my many trials and errors. You can follow my CGMFF foster kittens and Dangle Gang adventures thru Instagram @somdkittenfosters or help with kitten supplies through our Amazon Wishlist.

Kristina Bazemore | Medical Provider

Photo & Bio coming soon!

Stephen Waudby | Operations Manager / Secretary

Photo & Bio coming soon!

Chris Griffey – the spirit we are built upon

July 12, 1980- June 19, 2013

Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, Chris moved to the suburbs of Washington D.C. to go to school and pursue a life & career in the big city. He was a dedicated team member of NOVA CAT CLINIC for nearly a decade and made a lasting impression with his gentle demeanor to everyone, especially the cats who met him.

His career goal was to go into social work to help the LGBQT community and others less fortunate in the Washington D.C. area. Unfortunately, he never achieved his goal.

We found it fitting to name the feline foundation after him and help the kittens in our area that need necessary medical attention vs. making euthanasia the only choice. Everyone life deserves a chance no matter where you come from, even if you have nothing, someone believes in you.

We never stopped believing in him.

“The sun stopped shining for me is all. The whole story is: I am sad. I am sad all the time and the sadness is so heavy that I can’t get away from it. Not ever.”
-Nina LaCour, Hold Still

Suicide hotline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org OR 988 (1-800-273-8255)

We Couldn’t Do It Alone

It takes a village to raise critical kittens from red zone risks to ready to go furever home! To the world, our CGMFF team from the veterinarians to the fosters, may be a few people. But to our kittens, they are the whole world. We could not accomplish so much without support. A HUGE Shoutout to the local specialists who help us make miracles:

Want to join our team of fosters?

We need all the help we can get, and our babies need your help!

WE provide ALL of the medical care! All we ask if for you to provide the TLC and small necessities as they get older. We are happy to provide supplies such as playpens, bottles and formula for our neonates and non-weaned babies.

Learn more about fostering our critical care neonates until they find their forever homes!