Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary on Pine Island seeks matching donations
The Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary is seeking funds to match a generous donation made by an island resident, cat lover and sanctuary volunteer.
Kathy Jones of St. James City last year made a $2,500 donation in the memory of her late husband, Chuck. She pledged another donation each year in the same amount as long as Helping Paws raised an equal amount. Islanders generously donated more than the required amount and so this year Jones has donated again.
“I have two cats, both of which came from sanctuaries,” Jones said. “My Goldie came from Helping Paws and Cammie from the Naples shelter when we lived there. Cammie was Chuck’s cat and both of them loved when she sat on his lap and got rubs every evening. It seemed fitting to have my husband remembered for his love of his cat.”
While Helping Paws seeks to find homes for their kitties, many at the sanctuary are not adoptable for various reasons such as age, health issues or compatibility with other pets. The sanctuary’s expenses do not stop at rent, food and kitty litter.
“We have constant vet and medication expenses,” Helping Paws owner Marnie Miszewski said. “Plus we had to expand our space to be able to accept more cats as there were so many owners coming to relinquish their cats for one reason or another. They know we are a no kill sanctuary and that their cat will have a home for life, if it is not adopted. Every little bit of help we can get makes a huge difference in these animals’ lives.”
An individual donation can be made or there are monthly and one-year continuing contributions individuals can make to the sanctuary to help keep things running smoothly.
Donations can be made via the sanctuary’s website www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com, by mailing or delivering to 10060 Mallory E Parkway E, Unit D, St. James City or call 239-283-9100.