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Community Cats of Bonita Springs Florida

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Community Cats of Bonita Springs Florida

Helping neighborhood cats! Trapping for Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR); teach & assist residents with TNR COMMUNITY CATS OF BONITA SPRINGS FL INC.
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Our Mission Statement

Community Cats of Bonita Springs is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization whose mission is to significantly reduce the severe overpopulation of homeless cats in our community through education and the use of a humane technique known as Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR). Our Goals

• A long-term, ongoing commitment to reduce the number unaltered, free-roaming, feral, stray, and/or

abandoned domestic homeless cats in our area. It is estimated that there thousands of these cats in Bonita Springs Florida; since 2017, we have fixed or rescued over 3300 of them.
• To use humane Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) practices to reduce and control the cat population: This will reduce the strain on area rescues and shelters caused by endless litters of kittens and decrease the euthanasia rate of unwanted cats/kittens, which reduces both Animal Control costs to taxpayers and needless animal suffering.
• Improved quality of life for homeless cats and kittens, humane treatment, and a community understanding that they are victims of circumstance, deserve care and kindness, and provide a valuable public service in rodent control.
• Reduction of the occurrence of nuisance behaviors associated with mating, including spraying, yowling, and fighting so that people and cats can live in harmony.
• Put an end to high kill rates of cats and kittens at animal shelters and animal control agencies simply due to their numbers or failure to be adopted.
• Education and encouragement of participation from community members, other animal support groups, veterinarians, and local government so that there is a clear understanding of the success that can be achieved through the operation of a strong Trap/Neuter/Return program. Provide education and assistance to our large Spanish speaking population and teach the benefits of TNR. What We Do

COMMUNITY CATS OF BONITA SPRINGS FL is committed to reducing the homeless cat overpopulation in the City of Bonita Springs through implementing our TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) program, by providing cat food and veterinary assistance for fixed cat colonies, by providing foster care and adoption opportunities for socialized cats and kittens, by offering access to low-cost spay-neuter and veterinary services for pet owners, by initiating proactive bilingual educational outreach, and by acting as a liaison in referring pet owners to available resources. We instruct in how to trap cats, loan traps to those trained, assist with trapping, and subsidize spay/neuter surgeries, making the cost affordable for the public. Young kittens and friendly strays are rescued from the streets, fostered and placed for adoption by our volunteers. Our advocacy efforts promote community awareness to protect the lives of outdoor cats. was formed exclusively as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code) and can only survive on the generosity of public donations and approved grants. is NOT a rescue shelter. We have no shelter and no space or resources to hold and adopt out cats and kittens. We network with area rescues and shelters when we find friendly kittens and cats. Because we are a volunteer organization, we are totally dependent on donations. While a small amount of the spay/neuter surgery has been jointly funded by Lee County (FL) Domestic Animal Services and the City of Bonita Springs, those resources have fallen short as the demands on Community Cats of Bonita Springs has continued to grow. We now provide for spay/neuter of the community cats through other TNR agencies in our area. Our expenses have continued to grow and volunteers often pay expenses out of their own pockets. Our volunteers actively trap, transport and provide aftercare of cats that are spayed and neutered under the TNR program or private programs. Our volunteers feed cat colonies throughout the city. We do not believe in "feed to breed" so feeders who need cat food assistance must have fixed (TNR) cats or be actively working on fixing their colony. We use grants and donations to stock our cat food pantry and we ask that those who can afford to feed their own cats to please do so and ask for assistance only when needed. Donated funds also provide veterinary care that is not free through the program: this may be flea/mite preventatives, other medications, antibiotics or other care from our veterinarian. When cats are sick or injured, we trap them and take them to the veterinarian if they cannot be treated in their colony. Volunteers provide aftercare as needed.

11/12/2024

Please share!
Muffin is a Bonita Springs community cat. About 6 weeks ago, her feeders noticed her limping. Long story short, we trapped and took her to the vet because she had a bad wound on her foot. After a variety of antibiotics, tests and eventually a lab culture, our only options were amputation or euthanasia. Surprisingly, she turned out to be a friendly cat and we decided to proceed with the amputation because we have found a wonderful home for her as an indoor cat. Unfortunately the bill is over $1000 and the adopter cannot cover that expense. The 2 most expensive bills are shown here, but there were additional bills before surgery.
We are so appreciative of how generous our donors have been in the past and we thought this sweet girl deserved a safe happy life going forward. We hope we can get some help with Muffin's bill.
There are several options for donating:
1. Use the DONATE BUTTON here.
2. Use this link to donate by PayPal or credit card.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R9P68GS7SYKBS
3. Mail a check made payable to Community Cats of Bonita Springs to
PO Box 366034
Bonita Springs FL 34136
4. Contact Animal Hospital of Bonita to donate to our account. 239-947-3447.
8830 Emerald Isle, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

We and Muffin thank you for your kindness and generosity!

11/10/2024

UPDATE:. We are now trying to help Emily find a new forever home. This poor lost Kitty was never claimed! She was found in someone’s yard after the hurricane. She has no chip but is spayed. Please share and help us find her a new and loving home. She is a sweetheart and so pretty.
Please SHARE or contact our Adoption Coordinator at 239-273-8321.

11/07/2024

Christmas decorating ideas for multi cat households! 🤣

11/05/2024

TNR WORKSHOP coming up at Gulf Coast Humane Society. Please be part of the solution... learn and earn 3 FREE SPAY/NEUTER appointments for attending!
Your help is needed to get the cat population under control in your neighborhood!!

11/02/2024

Big thanks to our partners at Gulf Coast Humane Society and Cattyshack Cat Cafe for helping us get these cuties off the streets!

11/01/2024

Our volunteers did some serious trapping this week and took cats both to GCHS and SNIP COLLIER. Two cats have to go back for surgery in 2 weeks because they had UTIs and need to be treated first with antibiotics.
Thank you to our amazing trapper and transport volunteers who are making such a positive difference for cats in Bonita Springs!

11/01/2024

KITTENS! Sassy, Odie, Buffy, Charles, & Cole
These 5 babies were rescued from a restaurant after their mother abandoned them. They were bottle fed until recently when they began eating on their own. To learn more about these adorable kittens contact 239-273-8321

10/24/2024

UPDATE: We are now trying to help Emily find a new forever home. This poor lost Kitty was never claimed! She was found in someone’s yard after the hurricane. She has no chip but is spayed. Please share and help us find her a new and loving home. She is a sweetheart and so pretty.
Please SHARE or contact our Adoption Coordinator at 239-273-8321.

10/24/2024

We have 4 more getting their badge of honor today. They will be fixed and vaccinated. Thank you to all of our volunteers.

10/22/2024

Hello friends and followers!
We need help feeding colony cats in the evenings near I75 @ the Bonita Beach Rd exit. We need someone who can commit to one night a week. If you can help, please contact the Colony Manager at 219.670.7975. Please leave a message and she will return your call.

10/18/2024

Update..thank you donors! Between this post and website donations we've met our goal. You may still donate if you'd like, for ongoing medical and spay neuter expenses. Thanks all!

Good afternoon everyone! We recently had a request to help with TNR for a group of 3 cats at a gas station in Bonita Springs. After trapping them, we decided to take them to our vet instead of a spay/neuter clinic because it seemed like they were having medical issues, and it turned out that in addition to a neck wound on the "Dad" cat, all 3 had severe Upper Respiratory Infections. We had them treated and rabies vaccinated and they are in quarantine indoors with one of our volunteers. They will be fixed and relocated to a safer place in about 2 weeks, once they are healthy again. The bill so far has come to $375 for them (photos of bills in post) and we still have about $150 to spend in spay and neutering. If anyone would like to help with a donation toward their bill, you can use any of the following options. Thank you so much for caring and helping us help them!

1. Donate by clicking the DONATE button on this post.
2. Use this link to donate by Credit Card or Paypal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R9P68GS7SYKBS
3. Contact Animal Hospital Of Bonita and Boarding at 239-947-4334 to make a donation by credit card or check to our COMMUNITY CATS OF BONITA SPRINGS account.
4. Mail a check made payable to COMMUNITY CATS OF BONITA SPRINGS to PO Box 366034, Bonita Springs FL 34136

10/17/2024

3 more getting fixed today. Thank you Lynn for trapping. And thanks to Kim and Cheryl for dropping off and picking up. It really takes a village. We are so grateful to all of our hard working volunteers.

10/13/2024

Thank you everyone who donated to help with the dermatologist bill for Oreo Fluff! You can see how much better he is.. the 3rd photo is the "before".
Oreo Fluff is looking for a forever home. If you'd like to know more about adopting him, please reach out to our Adoption Coordinator at 239-273-8321.
Here is a link to the original post, in case you'd like to more of his history or make a donation.
Thank you for sharing!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/DF2i7jYEkEwyAqd2/

10/11/2024

PLEASE SHARE..LOST AT HERTZ ARENA DURING EVACUATION!

This handsome boy sadly got out of his carrier yesterday at Hertz Arena during evacuation and is lost. His owner is searching for him. He goes by Narasimha or Baby. Of anyone has him or has seen him please Contact Ada Lila, 239.216.1400. He was recently neutered.

10/09/2024

We are riding out the storm w/ 3 from a gas station in Bonita. Thanks to Lynn Capizzo trapping them before the storm came. They will be moved to a church. Plus 4 from Lee County Animal Services (they're going to a Seven Star rescue) And my usual bunch. We are prepared. And breaking in a new roof. Stay safe everyone 🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🙏🙏

Huge thanks to our rock star volunteers Jasmine and Lynn!

10/08/2024

FYI.
Pets are allowed in all Lee County hurricane shelters. Pets must be on leash and/or in crate.
Please share

10/07/2024

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. PLEASE PREPARE NOW FOR POTENTIAL EVACUATION WITH YOUR PETS.

With the storm forecast to impact our area, and as you begin to prepare your home and family, please take a moment to review this checklist and include your pet(s) in your storm preparation.

Address

PO Box 366034
Bonita Springs, FL
34136

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12393198478

Website

http://www.bonitacats.org/

Alerts

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Videos

About a week ago, we were desperate for bottle feeding fosters for a group of 5 tiny kittens found at Maria's Restaurant in Old Bonita. Here are 3 of the 5 in week 3 of their life. All are fine,,, 2 ladies split them up to make the work easier. If anyone out there is interested in fostering them once they are old enough to eat on their own, please contact our Foster Coordinator at 239-273-8321. We ALWAYS need foster help for kittens and cats.. enjoy the squeaks!!

6 cats fixed today! Thank you Katja!! #tnrbonita #bonitacats #tnrworks #communitycatsofbonita #tnrsaveslives #communitycats

We need a foster for this very sweet and loving cat that was trapped today during a TNR session. This cat is not feral and is too loving and socialized to be returned to the wild. He is not chipped. Can anyone out there temporarily foster him for us? He is alreasy neutered and vacinnated. We provide vet care, food, litter etc. He just needs a place to stay until a forever home is found. If you can help, please contact our Adoption Coordinator at 239-273-8321. Please share!

Shortcuts

Our Story

Founded by Angela Gipson and Jasmine Rivera. Angela Gipson moved to Bonita Springs Florida in 2014 and she started noticing cats - lots of them, everywhere! On roofs, on cars, under buildings, in the shrubs, etc. She did not see many with a "left ear tip," which would indicate that the cats were fixed but she noticed that some cats were being fed. At first, like most people, Angela thought this was "none of her business" and continued about her daily life. Then one day, she saw a cat struggling to get up near a local colony. It had been hit by a car and immediately she knew that she had to do something. This cat died a few minutes later. After researching, she learned that in Bonita Springs and Lee County Florida, residents could have cats fixed for FREE through a county/city sponsored TNR Program. So why in the world is no one fixing these cats? One thing led to another and she met the lady who fed the colony where the cat had been hit. The woman was too old to do the trapping on her own but welcomed the help. Through Facebook, Angela began reaching out to cat rescue organizations to see if anyone would guide her because she had never done TNR before. After a bit of networking, she connected with a lady named Gwen from a Naples cat rescue called Camp Many Paws. They met and decided to work together, trekking trapped cats all the way up to Ft Myers to have the cats spayed or neutered and vaccinated; they also got their ear tip and a microchip. As they worked on one colony, they got tips on others and they kept working their way around the city, block by block. Eighteen months and 125 cats later, the City of Bonita Springs hired Dr Linda Kitchen to do the TNR surgeries for residents of Bonita Springs. Happy Day!! A local vet made the entire process so much easier and the cats were getting the best of care. Gwen moved from the immediate area, but Angela kept on trapping, networking, and building an army of volunteers and supporters as demands and needs grew. To date, what started out as a need to “do something” has resulted in the sterilization of over 1500 Bonita Springs cats between volunteers and residents; a team of 40 volunteers have joined her to assist with trapping, transport, care and feeding of fixed colonies; Community Cats of Bonita Springs was created as a non profit organization and currently provides food for about 300 street cats every day. They have also pulled hundreds of kittens off the street and moved them to rescues for adoption and they provide medical care for cats who are ill or injured. One barrier to growth was that Angela could not communicate with the many Spanish speaking residents of Bonita Springs. Luckily, she met Jasmine Rivera, a bilingual cat & TNR advocate, and they joined forces to better serve those neighborhoods; so now some of the most under-served cats in Bonita Springs have been sterilized and vaccinated, are fed daily and get vet care as needed thanks to Jasmine’s tireless work. Other key volunteers soon joined their ranks to provide space for holding cats before and after surgery, for fundraising, events, colony management and for social media and administrative functions. Donations to Community Cats of Bonita are used for cat food and veterinary care as needed. Every penny taken in is used to help the cats of Bonita Springs who are homeless through no fault of their own, with the primary goal of fixing as many as possible to continually reduce the population. We are 100% volunteer and funded by donation. Please help us! We need volunteers, cat food and donations. Message us if you would like to help or need help. If you live in Bonita Springs, message us for a location to drop off cat food. You can also donate via our Amazon Wish List, here: http://bit.ly/kittyfixersMonetary donations can be sent by Paypal to [email protected]. Checks made payable to Community Cats of Bonita Springs may be sent to PO Box 366034, Bonita Springs, FL 34136.