239-642-8674
239-642-8674
239-642-8674
239-642-8674
239-642-8674
Our History
For the Love of Cats hit the ground running in 2002 as the only all cat, all volunteer, no-kill rescue in Collier County. Our mission is to end the cruelty of pet over-population in Collier County. We were doing TNR (trap-neuter-return) for feral cats long before it was an approved ordinance of Collier County.
Over the last 20 years, our organization has positively impacted the population of feral cats in our local communities and throughout the underserved of Collier County. Our productive relationships with the Collier County Veterinary Society, Collier County Domestic Animal Services, and all of the other rescue and shelter groups, and the public have been instrumental in saving thousands of feline lives.
Since our inception, we have expanded into many vital programs outside of our original mission of TNR to the benefit of cats in need throughout the underserved communities of Collier County.
Our History
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For the Love of Cats started in 2002 when founders Jan and Jim Rich saw the plight of the growing feral cat population after moving to Marco Island, Florida. After selling their business, it was time to start a new one – the business of saving cats with the focus on TNR (trap, neuter, return) for the feral and community cats. With the help of a handful of volunteers, they trapped and fixed almost 1000 cats and rescued/adopted over 500 kittens on Marco Island, Goodland and Isles of Capri during the first 5 years. In addition to that, over the next 5 years, they sterilized another 4500 cats throughout Collier County.
TNR is the core program at For the Love of Cats and we work with Collier County and other rescue and shelter groups to the benefit of community cats and to help cats and kittens in need throughout the county.
Although all the feral and community cats on Marco Island are fixed and cared for daily through dedicated volunteers, we continue to rescue cats and kittens that are abandoned by irresponsible pet owners.
We developed our Seniors for Seniors Program in 2010 which pays for the adoption fee and an complete care kit for any senior cat adopted by a senior citizen. This program has expanded to include all shelters and rescue groups in Collier County, Florida.
Our Low Income Spay/Neuter, Emergency and Wellness Care Programs are also an integrated part of our community support. For the Love of Cats is currently the only animal welfare group in Collier County offering support to the low income community. Our program has grown into a partnership with several veterinarians throughout to county in order to better serve the growing needs of low income families.
Today, we partner with Collier County Domestic Animal Services and other rescue groups throughout the county to help save the lives of cats and kittens in need. Our programs have grown as the needs of the community have grown. Our goal is to save lives and make a lasting difference in the lives of free roaming community cats and cats in need of low income families.