Caring for Cats was found in 2003 by Margie Schwartz with the purpose and mission to reduce the overpopulation of stray and feral cats in the Florida Keys by offering a trap and spay/neuter program. Ever since Margie has found Caring for Cats she has helped to reduce the number of the stray and feral cats in the Upper and Middle Florida Keys.

Caring for Cats focus is on the felines nobody wants to "bother" with - the ferals. Feral cats are born and raised in the wild, or who have been abandoned and reverted to wild ways in order to survive. Most feral cats are too fearful and wild to be handled and they often live in a group called colonies and take refuge wherever they can find food. They also seek out abandoned buildings and deserted cars and even dig holes in the ground to keep warm in winter months and cool during summer heat. Their average lifespan is less than two years if living on their own due to meager food sources like dumpsters and they often suffer terribly from parasites, diseases and often die slow, painful deaths. A feral cat living in a colony that has a caretaker may reach five years.

A stray cat might be someone's pet who has been abandoned or became lost. These cats are usually tame and comfortable around people and will try to make a home near humans - in car garages, front porches or back yard. However, a stray cat living in the wild for a long period of time may turn into a feral. No matter if stray or feral, people often seem to forget that "humans" put these cats in the situation they are in and NOT the cats themselves.

The sad fact is that in seven years, one female cat and her offspring can yield 420,000 cats! A female cat can reproduce as early as 6 months of age when still a kitten herself and can become pregnant up to four times per year with an average of 8-10 kittens per litter.

Caring for Cats is currently working towards th goal of a mobile s pay station to travel the Florida Keys to expand its feline spay/neuter program to Florida Keys' communities. In order to reach this goal, Caring for Cats is looking for sponsors and supporters to help make the spay station possible. Since Caring for Cats does not have a shelter, the adoptable cats are in foster homes until adopted into permanent homes or at the Kitty Cottage at Me & My Sister Gift Shop in Islamorda, Florida. All proceeds of the store sales go directly to Caring for Cats and cats an be adopted for a low adoption fee, are spayed/neutered, tested for feline leukemia and up-to-date with vaccinations. You can also meet some of our adoptable cats at the Island Pet Company in Islamorada.

Fundraisers benefiting Caring for Cats such as The Fur Ball and the Rummage Sale help to cover the costs associated with the trapping and spaying/neutering of feral and stray cats, providing food, litter and medical care and offering a low cost  feline spay/neuter program. All donations are 100% tax deductible and Caring for Cats is always looking for cat foster homes, volunteers, sponsors and in-kind-donations to be used for silent auctions and door-prizes during fundraisers.

If you have any questions about Caring for Cats and our adoptable cats, please contact Margie Schwartz at 305-664-5575 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For our spay/neuter program, please call 305-664-3660.

6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year and 3-4 million of these cats and dogs get euthanized by shelters each year. Please adopt from a shelter or rescue group and save lives by spaying/neutering your pet.

Thank you for all your help and support. A BIG Meow!