Melbourne-based rescue in need of food, money after taking in almost 90 cats in one week
A Melbourne-based cat rescue took in almost 90 new cats over the past week from people facing evictions, a high-kill shelter and a hoarding situation.
Now, with a total of 135 cats pushing the rescue to maximum capacity and many of the cats suffering from eye and upper respiratory infections, they're working to raise money to go toward the felines' care.
"We want to give these cats the best possible opportunity to get good homes, and until they get to those homes, we will bend over backwards ... to make sure that they're taken care of and that their needs are met," said Amanda Peck, shelter manager at HOPE for Brevard, a nonprofit located off Cyprus Avenue in Melbourne.
The influx of cats began July 16, when eight cats were surrendered because their owner was facing an eviction. The owner had previously tried posting online and reaching out to people in the community to see about finding housing for her cats, Peck said. She was unable to find a place for them.
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Later that day, rescue volunteers traveled several hours to a high-kill shelter to pick up some cats and their litters. When they arrived, they found multiple cats outside in the heat.
"There were cats outside, kind of open-mouth breathing and in distress," Peck said.
The volunteers took as many cats as they could back to HOPE for Brevard. They picked up 37 cats from the high-kill shelter, bringing the total of new intakes for July 16 to 45.
Tuesday, they were contacted by Animal Control about a hoarding situation. Initially, they believed it involved 20 cats. But when HOPE for Brevard volunteers arrived, they found about 40 cats, with most of the cats suffering from severe eye and upper respiratory infections.
It will cost about $500 to treat the cats, Peck said. That cost doesn't include the $150-per-cat cost to prepare them for adoption with spaying or neutering and vaccinations.
How to help
The rescue is asking for donations of Purina adult dry cat food, Purina kitten food and any kind of wet food. Donations can be dropped off on Saturdays when the rescue is open, or left in their donation bins outside. Supplies can also be directly purchased from their Chewy and Amazon wish lists.
Monetary donations can also be made to their PayPal, through the mail or to their thrift store on Wickham Road. Visit www.hopeforbrevard.com/donate for a list of ways to donate.
They're also always looking for volunteers and foster homes, Peck said.
"I have a lot of moms and kittens who typically do well in foster situations," Peck said. "If people don't have the money, but they have some space in their home and they want to love on some kittens, or adult cats, that's always helpful to the cats and to us. It makes more room so we can take in other cats that have the same needs."
The rescue is located at 1465 Cypress Avenue and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, or by appointment. To make an appointment, call 321-271-4041.
Finch Walker is a Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Nearly 90 cats come to Melbourne rescue over past week
