If you're visiting the FKSPCA Shelter on Stock Island, and are interested in a feline companion, the person to see is Elizabeth Schmidt.
Elizabeth, an SPCA volunteer since June, is a shelter cat's best friend. Her domain is the cat playroom, where she doles out love, affection, and lots of cat treats to her homeless feline charges. "But it's sad," she said. "Everyone wants kittens. And after some adult cats have been caged awhile, they seem to lose hope."
Many adult cats come into the shelter traumatized-- they don't like being in cages, they're away from the home they knew, and they're very scared. So they hide, or hiss or scratch. But under Elizabeth's care, they eventually calm down and some even become downright affectionate, which really helps them get adopted to good homes.
"Elizabeth is our number one volunteer," said "non-paid shelter employee" and SPCA Treasurer Carol Colburn. "She consistently comes to help with the cats three days a week. We sure could use more volunteers like her."
Colburn said the shelter is overloaded with both cats and dogs. "Although we have had twice as many adoptions as last year, it's a heartbreaking time, " said Colburn. "It's kitten season, and we already have four litters with mama kittens. There are 40 cats and kittens available for adoption, and more waiting. I hope we find homes for all of them."
Come out to the shelter and meet the animals. There are presently 45 dogs waiting for homes there too-- all healthy, all waiting for homes like yours.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-6, and Sat,10-2. Info: 294-4857.
The Sheriff's Farm will be open this Sunday, March 26, from 1-4 p.m. Bring the family and visit with Judy the Cow, Angel the Blind Horse, Mr. Turkey, the baby rabbits, the beautiful white cockatoo, and other "farm animals."
The kids will love the petting zoo. They can meet Rudy the goat and Wilbur the pig, along with all the baby rabbits. The ducks and Mr. Turkey are very curious and may follow you around in a cluster. But that's the fun of visiting the Farm.
Thanks to the Key West Kritter Patrol, the Sheriff's Farm will now be open every Sunday. Kritter Patrol volunteers will be there to meet and greet you and your family, and show you around.
The animal babies, which include Wilbur and Rudy and some newly born rabbits, have accompanied the Kritter Patrol volunteers to Bayshore Manor on Wednesdays to visit the residents there. But this last Wednesday, Kritter Patrol volunteers hosted 20-plus Bayshore residents on an outing to the Farm, where the elderly visitors were treated to refreshments and a tour. And another outing to the Farm is scheduled for the residents next Wednesday.
The Sheriff'sFarm is one of Key West's hidden treasures. It's on College Road, next to the new jail. So come on out and bring the children. And bring some veggies to feed the animals-- they love 'em. If you don't have any kids to bring with you, bring yourself. The Farm is sure to bring out `the kid in you.'
Info: 293-7331.