Mega Adoption Events Set for Hundreds of Caboodle Ranch Cats Rescued by the ASPCA

Three major events to be held throughout Florida, August 11 – 12

NEW YORK, July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), in partnership with multiple local animal welfare groups in Florida, is hosting three major cat adoption events on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, for hundreds of cats that need permanent homes after being rescued on February 27 from Caboodle Ranch, a not-for-profit corporation located in Lee, Fla.

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The largest of these events will take place in Jacksonville, in conjunction with the Jacksonville Humane Society, at the temporary shelter where ASPCA responders have been caring for the cats since their rescue. Two other events will be held in Sarasota (hosted by Cat Depot) and Clearwater (hosted by the Humane Society of Pinellas with assistance from SPCA Tampa Bay and Bay Area DART).

WHAT:  
Hundreds of cats rescued from Caboodle Ranch will be available for adoption. Some of these cats have special medical and behavior needs, including barn cats and those that are FIV-positive or have feline leukemia. These cats will make wonderful additions to families willing to open their homes and hearts to give them a second chance.

WHERE &  WHEN:
Jacksonville:
ASPCA Temporary Shelter
2580 West 1st
Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254
Saturday & Sunday, August 11 and 12; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sarasota:
Robarts Arena
3000 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237
Saturday & Sunday, August 11 and 12; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Clearwater:
1928 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33765
Saturday & Sunday, August 11 and 12; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

HOW:
Potential adopters should bring with them one government-issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license, passport, military ID, or non-driver ID), proof of address, and a pet transfer crate, if possible.

All adoptions in Jacksonville will be fee-waived. In Sarasota, cats will be available for a $10 donation; in Clearwater, potential adopters can name their own fee. All adoptable cats will be spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, and provided an ID tag free of charge. Additionally, members of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team and animal behaviorists from other groups will be on-site to help answer questions about temperament and personality in order to make the best possible match with potential adopters.

WHY:
In June, the County Court, Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Fla. stripped Caboodle Ranch of all right, title or interest in the animals that are now available for adoption and placed them in the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office subsequently transferred custody of the animals to the ASPCA, and agencies across Florida are joining efforts to help these cats find permanent, loving homes with qualified adopters. 

"Hundreds of ASPCA responders have managed the sheltering, medical treatment and behavior enrichment of these animals removed from the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at Caboodle Ranch for the past five months," said Tim Rickey, senior director of the ASPCA's Field Investigations and Response team. "Our top priority now is to help all the cats available for adoption find much-needed homes."

The ASPCA's rescue efforts have exceeded more than $1.7 million, which includes: more than 150,000 cans of food; 140,000 pounds of cat litter; 5,000 doses of antibiotics; and 85,000 man-hours to ensure these cats receive the care they deserve. More than 550 responders from 11 agencies have provided round-the-clock care for the cats since the rescue.

Additional groups providing assistance for the adoption events include: PetSmart Charities, Inc. (providing grants to all of the host communities, as well as wire cages and shelter supplies); Subaru of America, Inc. (ID tags); FidoPharm^® (PetArmor^® flea & tick products); and Nestle Purina^® PetCare Company (food donation).

For more information on the adoption events and the cats rescued from Caboodle Ranch, please visit www.aspca.org/caboodlecats.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

SOURCE ASPCA