"50 percent of feral kittens die at birth," said Mary Boushie, founder of Katz 4 Keeps. They could die from an attack on them by a predator, environmental issues or untreated disease. Katz 4 Keeps, Inc., has the goal of saving these cats and rehabilitating them, so they can have another chance at life.
Boushie said that she started this non-profit organization because of her love for cats. The mission of Katz 4 Keeps is "to rescue abandoned and unwanted felines and medically, physically and emotionally rehabilitate them in preparation for their ‘4-Ever Homes.’ The program has done just that — rescuing and placing more than 450 cats and kittens that were found on highways, doorsteps, in dumpsters and given by those who can no longer care for them.
Boushie at first contracted with Pet Doctors of America in Ponte Vedra Beach for medical care of the cats. Soon, though, Katz 4 Keeps became too large for the space that the Pet Doctors had generously given them. Boushie moved the program mid-May to its current location at 935B A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, where she now has around 40 volunteers helping out.
There are five rooms in the current 1,200 square-feet facility and Katz 4 Keeps can accommodate 35 cats. The interior was designed by Boushie’s sister and a lot of the appliances such as the refrigerator and washer and dryer were donated generously by different locals. The facility stays full, cats getting adopted as quickly as new cats need space. This week, Boushie said, there were eight adoptions and the spaces that the cats would leave behind have already been filled.
Cats, when they are first found, are placed in the intake room, where they are studied for any signs of illness, said Boushie. All cats are spayed or neutered and treated for parasites and fleas. Then, after they are medically clean, they are given time to interact with humans and other cats.
One of the ways Katz 4 Keeps helps to emotionally rehabilitate cats is the "Luv ‘Em Up Bunch" program for children 12 to 17. The kids must complete orientation, but afterward they can play with the cats, which helps the cats become accustomed to human interaction.
Those interested in adopting only have to fill out a one-page application that includes some personal information such as "How many family members live in your home?" and "Do you currently own any pets?" Katz 4 Keeps requires that the cats be indoor cats and does not charge for the adoption, only asks for a donation.
Despite the 40 volunteers, Boushie said with the number of cats she houses, 20 more volunteers would be very helpful. She said volunteers should be "mature high school [students] like seniors" and can receive community service hours. Volunteers clean the facility and take care of the cats. For those interested, call (904)834-3223 and leave a message if no one picks up.
"I’ve always loved cats," Boushie said. "There’s a dire need to help the feline [population]."
