Cats

“CATS: The Jellicle Ball” began previews on Broadway March 18 in advance of the show’s April 7th opening. It’s not to be confused with the production of “CATS” that is onstage at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through April 4.

There are an estimated 250,000 feral and community cats on the loose in Lee County on any given day. To raise awareness about the magnitude of the problem - and to inspire people to adopt some of the shelter's cats and kittens, Lee County Animal Shelter has collaborated with Broadway Palm on its production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "CATS."

More than 35 people turned out for a recent free spay and neuter coupons. Lee County Domestic Animal Services partnered with non-profit Fortunate Ferals for the first event teaching about Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR), a process to lower feral cat populations.

Are there stray or feral cats in your neighborhood that you’re not sure what to do about?

According to a study from the University of Florida, the COVID-19 pandemic initiated an influx of pet adoptions all throughout the country. However, data compiled from over 200 clinics between 2019 and 2021 showed that nearly 3 million of those adoptees were not spayed or neutered. To address this, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter collected about $25,000 through a state grant program called the Florida Animal Friend Grant. This funded their initiative, “Operation: Fix It Florida,” which provided over 400 sterilization procedures for pet owners who previously couldn’t afford the service.

A program to benefit cats and kids is back at the Patty Baker Humane Society of Naples.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many households added furry friends to their families. Now five years later, thousands of those puppies and kittens are entering their midlife period.

A Marco Island couple was arrested on June 11 following a search by local authorities. The investigation led to the discovery of troubling conditions at their residence, with several animals involved. The case remains under investigation.

It's kitten season and Manatee County is looking for foster homes for little cats until they're old enough for adoption.

A one-eyed cat named Kevin was euthanized in less than two hours after arriving at a Lee County animal shelter as a "stray." His owner is demanding to know how this could happen.