For The Love Of Cats Inc

Help em Keep em Urgent Care for Cats of Low-Income FamiliesMany families of the underserved communities have pets that need urgent veterinary attention and would be forced to allow their pet to suffer or be euthanized without this program. Over the last few years, we paid for numerous amounts of dental extractions, knee surgeries, leg surgeries, whole body infections, eye removals, and skin issues. For the Love of Cats is the only rescue organization in Collier County offering this invaluable program that also covers wellness exams for senior cats and cats with non-emergency illnesses from low-income families. To date, we have saved the lives of over 720 cats. Our program increased over 30% from 2023 to 2024.

Public Outreach- Our Public Outreach Program is to educate and inform the members of the community about For the Love of Cats and the issues and complications that community cat overpopulation can present throughout Collier County. Our Outreach Program includes Farmers Markets, Tabling Events, In-store Events and other public promotional platforms that allow us to speak directly to the public about the county ordinances, policies and actions surrounding community cat management as well as educating the public about our programs and solutions we have available to the community.

Help em Keep em Spay Neuter Program (replaces Rescue/Foster Program)Our Low Income Spay/Neuter program pays for sterilization surgery and rabies vaccinations for cats and kittens owned by the underserved families of Collier County. These cats and kittens would otherwise be abandoned without this service. These abandoned pets then adversely contribute to the already overwhelming free roaming community cat population throughout the county. Although Collier County has a program for outdoor community cats, many low-income families need help with education, guidance and resources for basic spay/neuter. To date, For the Love of Cats has helped over 668 families with spay/neuter assistance. In 2024, this program increased 300% indicating the huge increase in need for this program throughout Collier County.

Scholarship ProgramWithout adequate staffing of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants for animal hospitals, clinics and emergency facilities in Collier County, the rescue and animal welfare organizations lose their ability to make a difference in the lives of abandoned pets in need. Spay and neuter is put on hold, injured animals go untreated, lives are lost. Our scholarship program is designed to mentor students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine with the anticipation that they will bring their skills back home to the needs in Southwest Florida. Funded through the support of business sponsorship, the FGCU Scholarship will be awarded to students chosen by FGCU and mentored by For the Love of Cats and the local veterinary community.