CATS ANGELS 2001 - 2021 CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!
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Summer 2021
Volume 20, Issue 2
www.catsangels.com
709 South 8th St. (Between Gum & Hickory), Fernandina Beach, FL • 904-321-2267 • Email: CatsAngels@CatsAngels.com
CATS ANGELS 2001 - 2021
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!
Cats Angels was established in June 2001 with the idea that spaying and neutering 1,000
cats would be the answer to the overpopulation of stray cats in Fernandina Beach, FL.
That was accomplished and 10 years later, over 10,000 cats had been through our spay/
neuter and TNVR program. Thousands of cats found homes through the Cats Angels
Adoption Program. Some years, we had over 200 kittens and cats in foster care!
Fast forward to 2021 and we are still helping almost 1,000 cats a year through our Spay/
Neuter and TNVR Program. We have scaled down our Adoption Program so we can fo-
cus on these programs. The two shelters in Nassau County have been no-kill for the last
10 years and have great adoption programs. Our Executive Director Sherry Merritt came
to Cats Angels in 2018 and has been leading us with new ideas and partnerships that
are creating better lives for the animals in our community. Our social media presence
on Facebook has expanded, and you can see our new additions to the Adoption Center,
our Purrfect Finds at the Thrift Store and regular live videos to let everyone know what’s
happening at Cats Angels.
In 2007 Cats Angels moved into their “forever home” building at 709 S. 8th Street in Fer-
nandina Beach. It is a mid-century building that has seen a few additions and had been
among other things a grocery store, used car lot and a dog grooming business. We have
made many needed repairs, renovations, and upgrades over the past 14 years – all with
donations earmarked for these projects – none that have taken away any funds for the
cats!
Nassau County and our neighbors in southeast Georgia is our community for which we
have been helping with low-cost options for spaying/neutering pets and feral/community Executive Director Sherry Merritt getting a farewell
cats, providing quarterly pet vaccination clinics with some free rabies shots and access hug from Pumpkin, a sweet blind cat, before heading
to our community food bank to help supplement pet food costs. We have just launched off to his new “forever home.” He is one of the many
our Voucher Program to expand our reach to more of those in need. Our local community thousands who have been helped by Cats Angels
businesses have been awesome in their support for us. and you over the last 20 years.
Our volunteers and supporters are the reasons we can do what we do in our community. We still have active volunteers who attended the
very first meeting back in 2001 and supporters who have been donating to us for the past 20 years! One thing we have all learned from
2020 is that life can be unpredictable. We certainly cannot predict the next 20 years, but with volunteers and supporters like YOU, we think
the future is bright for Cats Angels and the cats in our community!
735 cats went through Cats Angels Spay/Neuter and TNVR Programs in 2020
So far in 2021, we have helped over 480 cats through these Programs
Feline COMMUNITY THANKS
Grapevine
LOCAL BUSINESSES SUPPORT CATS ANGELS!!
Cats Angels received a $1,500 grant from The Rayonier Advanced
Materials Foundation for our Spay/Neuter Program in recognition of
Hello my lovelies, Kiki the service we provide to our Nassau County community.
coming at ya from the
Cats Angels Adoption 8 Flags Chiropractic in
Center. Spring has Fernandina Beach do-
sprung and become nated a percentage from
summer on our island the massages done by
paradise, and with sum- Jessica Hudson, LMT
mer came some very
during March and a free
mischievous kittens. Many mischievous kittens. Don’t get me
wrong, they are lovely kittens, but they are kittens. Very active massage certificate for a
kittens, who scamper and run...........all day long. fundraising raffle.
Now here is the deal, if you come and adopt one of these pre- Pictured at the left is Jessica
cious little ones I will be very grateful and will give you a shout Hudson presenting a check
out in my next article. Please come by for one (or two). I am for $662.50 to Cats Angels
desperate! Executive Director Sherry
Kiki
Merritt.
Meeeoooeeewww, Cats Angels was chosen
by Guaranteed Rate, a
mortgage company on
Amelia Island, to receive
a $1,500 donation. Guar-
anteed Rate Branch Man-
ager Eric Corbett donates to non-profit businesses chosen by team
members when their monthly goals are met.
Pictured below is Guaranteed Rate team member Meghan Parkin present-
ing Cats Angels Executive Director Sherry Merrit with the donation check.
Megan recently adopted a kitten from Cats Angels too.
IF YOU’RE FEEDING THEM, FIX THEM!
DON’T LET A SITUATION GET OUT OF CONTROL
THE CATS ANGELS THRIFT STORE IS OPEN DON’T WAIT
CALL CATS ANGELS 904-321-2267
NEW AND IMPROVED - - CLEAN AND SAFE FOR LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER HELP
STORE HOURS ARE
MON - FRI 11 AM TO 4 PM Do you have a few hours you can spare?
Do you like working in retail or with the cats? Can you help with
SATURDAY 10 AM TO 4 PM fundraising? Cats Angels is welcoming volunteers to our team.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED DURING STORE HOURS
Call 904-321-2267 or stop by Cats Angels to talk with us,
VISIT THE CATS IN OUR ADOPTION CENTER You can also submit a volunteer application online at
OPEN DURING STORE HOURS www.catsangels.com and we will contact you.
LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER How does the Voucher Program work?
Residents of Nassau County, FL and Camden County, GA must
VOUCHER PROGRAM provide “Proof of Need”
Medicaid Card
In June Cats Angels launched a Voucher EBT Food Stamp Card
Program to help provide lower cost spay/ Disability Check Stub
neuter services to our community citi- Previous year tax return with one adult household
zens on financial assistance programs with income less than $25K per year
that are unable to afford spay/neuter ser- Previous year tax return with two adult household
vices without financial help. Our goal is to help reduce the over popu- with income less than $40K per year
lation of pets in our community. Too many unplanned and unwanted Voucher Prices:
litters end up on the streets and in shelters each year. Cats Angels Cat Spay/Neuter (includes Rabies and FVRCP vaccines) $10
has partnered with Nassau County Animal Services, Nassau Humane TNR Cats* (incudes Rabies & FVRCP vaccines) $10
Society, Camden (GA) Humane Society and rescue groups to work Dogs (includes Rabies and DHPP vaccines) $40
together to decrease the overpopulation of pets in our community. Af-
fordable spay/neuter services is the solution to reducing this problem. *TNR Cats must come to FCNMHP in humane traps and will have
their left ear tipped.
The Voucher Program will expand our reach for Cats Angels current **Any other services are the responsibility of the owner.
low-cost programs by giving citizens a more flexible schedule of dates
for spay/neuters. Voucher participants must call First Coast No More Where are Vouchers distributed? The Vouchers are distributed
Homeless Pets in Jacksonville to schedule an appointment and pres- through individual business hours at Cats Angels, Nassau County
ent the voucher at the time of the appointment. Animal Services and Camden (GA) Humane Society.
Is the Voucher Program a grant? No. The money for the Voucher How to redeem the Voucher: Voucher holders must call 904-
Program is collected by private donations and sales from our Thrift 425-0005 and schedule their appointment at First Coast No More
Store. Homeless Pets. The Vouchers are redeemable only at First Coast
No More Homeless Pets and they do have an expiration date. If
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH the voucher is lost, it will not be replaced.
FIRST COAST NO MORE
HOMELESS PETS
Your help is needed to fund the Voucher Program. Please
donate and/or shop at our Thrift Store or make monetary
Do you have experience in trapping cats? donations to Cats Angels. Your support is appreciated.
Would you like to learn how?
Cats Angels is looking for trappers to help us with colony cats.
We will provide training, support and all the equipment needed
to help us help the community and feral cats. Please call Cats
Cat Tips:
Angels at 904-321-2267 or email us at catsangels@catsangels. 5 Ways to Help the Arthritic Cat
com to let us know you would like to join our team of trappers.
Degenerative Joint Disease or simply “arthritis” is
a common disease in cats in which the cartilage
that normally pads a joint gets worn away. Your veterinarian can
Cats Angels determine arthritis on exam or x-ray. It can occur in any joint from
legs, neck and back resulting in discomfort and loss of mobility.
Purrfect Cats 2022 Calendar Contest It can interfere with your cat’s normal activities and causes pain.
Cats have the unique ability to conceal diseases, but there are
Do you have a cat that you rescued or you adopted through a shel- things you can do or tell if your cat is one of the many afflicted by
ter or rescue group? Is your cat photogenic or just darn cute? Then arthritis and to help him/her stay active and comfortable.
your cat should be in our next Cats Angels calendar. Submit your
photos for our Cats Angels Calendar Photo Contest. Entry forms Note changes in activity – are they jumping as well or becoming
can be picked up at the Cats Angels Thrift Store or downloaded less active, grumpy when picked up, avoiding stairs?
from our website www.catsangels.com. The calendar is a fund
raiser for Cats Angels and there is an entry fee donation for your Maintain a healthy weight – Excess weight puts extra stress on
submissions. The winning photo will be the cover for the 2022 Cats your cat’s joints, making sore spots without good cartilage even
Angels calendar and the 4 runner-ups will be featured inside with
a month of their own on a full size page. The contest is judged by more painful.
photographers from the Island Art Association and your photos can Keep resources accessible – be mindful of the location of food/
be submitted through August 31.
water bowls. Make sure your cat can get in and out of their lit-
terbox without issue and have a litterbox on each floor of your
house.
Promote low-impact activity – Don’t dangle a toy too high, slow
down chase games by moving the toy slowly, arrange treats in
a trail to follow rather than give all in one place to encourage
movement.
Consider using a joint supplement – Glucosamine and chondroi-
We are looking for pictures with purrsonality. Landscape formats tin are the workhorses of joint supplements for pets. Ask your
will be judged for the contest, but vertical formats will be used for veterinarian for a cat-safe option.
the collage pages. Charles Bingley pictured here earned his spot Shared with you from Cat Watch, The Cornell Feline Health Center,
in our 2021 calendar. Good luck to all our participants! Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine
Adult cats are looking for a second
(or third) chance and a ‘forever’ home
These adult cats have unique looks, personalities and stories and are living at Cats Angels Adoption Center. Some have
really been around the block a few times, some need a little extra patience or care, some are lucky to have gotten out of
bad situations. They all seem to take it in stride and are patiently waiting for their next adventure.....maybe YOU can take
that adventure with them!
Florida is one of the most I’m Ricky and I have a secret to
popular retirement des- share. When you pet my head,
tinations for people, so I purr loudly and sound just like
why not for cats? Wee- a dove or a pigeon cooing. Ev-
zer, a handsome senior eryone is amazed by my kitty
fellow, is half Maine Coon superpower, but I just do what
cat, the official cat of the comes naturally. Sadly, through
state of Maine (very cold no fault of my own, I have lived
weather....brrrrrrr!). They outside most of my life. I am no
are also one of the old- longer a rambunctious young-
est natural cat breeds in ster, but a senior fellow who is
North America. Weezer is looking for a calm environment
a big lover boy and looks with a patient, loving human to
very much like a big Ted- call my own. My friends here at
dy bear. This guy seems to enjoy the company of other kitties, Cats Angels tell me I have really
in case you may want to expand your feline family. Weezer is a come out of my shell and look
sweetheart, so let’s find him a human friend to share the joys of forward to meeting visitors, so please come meet me. I promise I
Florida living! will charm you with my special skill!
Cleo is a beautiful, 9-plus-
Question: What is one of the most
year-old ginger girl who is
popular flowers?
really hoping 2021 will bring
her a forever home. She was
Answer: It is the Petunia!
adopted, but living with a tim-
id house mate was not a good
Introducing Miss Petunia, a 1-year-
situation for either cat. This gal
old girl, as sweet and pretty as the
has been at Cats Angels for
bloom. She was rescued from an
nearly one year, so she needs
overcrowded shelter and then placed
a kind human to rescue her
in foster care. Her foster mom reports
from all those cats and kittens!
this young lady was a bit shy at first,
She needs to be the only kitty
but quickly adjusted to her new envi-
in a home with calm environ-
ronment, and she loves wet cat food,
ment, and she would love ac-
treats and other kitties. This Petunia
cess to a screened porch. Per-
guarantees she will be her forever
haps someone knows a senior
parent’s favorite flower.
for this senior? Cleo’s adoption
fee has been sponsored by a
good Samaritan. Awesome!
Each year since 1992, on the 3rd Saturday in
Lizzy was living with a large August, International Homeless Animals Day
number of cats in West Nas- is commemorated with events all over the
sau County that Cats Angels world bringing attention to the overpopulation
helped with TNVR. The care- of animals and animal rights. Cats Angels is
giver was willing to surrender planning events to help our community real-
this petite young adult with a ize the needs of animals.
serious eye injury. Unfortu- Our events on August 21 are still in the planning stages, but
nately Lizzy’s eye could not check our Facebook page and website for up to date information.
be saved, but she is now in a
better situation waiting for her Georgia Animal Protection Act
new home. She’s a sweet, This act, passed in 1986 established the first minimum standards for conditions
loving cat who is given lots in places such as animal shelters.
of TLC by her foster mom. It
didn’t take her long to adapt to In 1824, the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was
safe indoor living and one of her favorite things is to sleep on the established in England to prevent animal abuse. It spread to the U.S. in 1866
bed at night. and now encompasses many different species.
YOU helped save this family and one orphan!!
Ramona was pregnant and surrendered at a high kill shelter in
Georgia. She came to Cats Angels on March 22 and delivered her
6 kittens the very next day! She seemed to be a pro at motherhood
and took excellent care of her 3 gray/white and 3 black/white ba-
bies. Ramona and her kittens were being taken care of by our vol-
unteer Suzanne who specializes in foster care for mom and babies.
A couple days after Ramona gave birth, we received a call from
Nassau County Animal Services that they just received an orphan
newborn and asking if we had a nursing mom. The orphan - who
just happened to be black and white - blended right in and was ac-
cepted by Ramona. Her babies seemed to enjoy having one more
warm kitten to snuggle with too!
All seven were happy, healthy and playful kittens!
After they were weaned, the kittens (five girls and
two boys) were put into foster homes for extra so-
cialization until they were ready for their spay or
neuter surgeries.
At 3 months the kittens are spayed or neutered.
We vaccinate for rabies and feline distemper, test
for Feline Aids and Feline Leukemia and are mi-
cro chipped. All kittens enter our Adoption Pro-
gram and live at Cats Angels until they find their
“forever home” and families.
Sometimes they go in pairs and other times they
are adopted individually to live with other pets or
to be the only cat. It’s all good and we do our best
to find the best fit for our cats and the adopting
family.
YES, I want to help Cats Angels! YOUR DONATIONS HELP CATS ANGELS
SAVE LIVES
Name ____________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip _____________________________________ Email ________________________________________________
Please charge my ___VISA ___Mastercard ___Discover
Acct. #_________________________________________________ Expiration Date ________________ CVV ______
This gift is in honor/memory of ________________________________________________________________________________
____ I would like to give my consent to be recognized in upcoming newsletters.
____ $25 Your donation goes directly towards:
____ $50 • spaying, neutering and other medical care • food and shelter for feral cat colonies
____ $100 • helping to place animals into loving homes • emergency care for abandoned and abused animals
____ $250
____ $500
Easier than writing and sending a check - you can set up a recurring donation payment to Cats Angels through
____ $1,000
“Bill Pay” on your bank website or through PayPal link on our website www.catsangels.com
____ Other $_____
____ MATCHING GIFT __________________________________________(Company name) will match my gift.
Your generosity has allowed us to help spay or neuter over 18,000 cats and kittens since June 2001. Through your unwavering commitment to
our organization and our programs, we can continue to help many felines that otherwise would be left to continue to breed and remain homeless.
NONPROFIT ORG.
SPCA US POSTAGE PAID
Fernandina Bch., FL
MAILING ADDRESS:
PERMIT NO. 48
P.O. Box 16072
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32035
FOOD DONATIONS
Purina One Indoor Advantage, Urinary, Hairball or Kitten Dry Food,
Fancy Feast or Friskies wet food – Pate style, Any quality “on sale”
dry or wet food
CAT SUPPLIES CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Cat Litter – clay, clumping or pine, Disposable puppy pads
LAUNDRY/CLEANING SUPPLIES
Dawn dish washing soap, Laundry detergent ‘pods’ (HE), Bleach –
liquid and spray bottle, White vinegar (gallons), Paper Towels
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES
Gift Cards – Walmart, Grocery Stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Staples,
White Copy Paper, Wide Green or Blue Painters Tape, Sheets and
Towels
These items are greatly appreciated and can be brought
to the Cats Angels Thrift Store/Adoption Center at
709 S. 8th Street in Fernandina Beach during business hours
Monday thru Friday 11 AM to 4 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM
www.catsangels.com
Are you Cleaning Out, Downsizing,
Redecorating or have Garage Sale “leftovers”
TNR
We accept clean, working items (except large furniture without pri-
A humane solution to
or approval, clothing, computers or old TV’s) during business hours feral cat
Mon-Fri 11 AM to 4 PM and Sat 10 AM to 4 PM at overpopulation
Cats Angels Thrift Store, 709 S. 8th Street, Fernandina Beach
Please call 904-321-2267 if you have large size items
or a large amount of items to donate.
SPAY AND NEUTER
YOUR DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED! THE RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION
FOLLOW
US
LIKE
US
EVERY DOLLAR YOU DONATE IS
VERY IMPORTANT
Cats Angels receives no government funding.
All of our revenue is raised by private donations, grants and fund
Halo says,”Aluminum cans
raising. The Nassau County Animal Expo, calendar sales, Coins for help homeless cats”!
Kitties and various events throughout the year help bring in much A collection bin is in
needed money to carry on our Spay/Neuter, TNR and Adoption our parking lot
Programs. These monies help us give the best care possible to 709 South 8th Street,
all the cats, especially our Adoption Center kitties. Please use the Fernandina Beach, FL
enclosed envelope to make your donation today.
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