Hurricane Ian Impact
September 28 will be a day we will not forget. The landfall of Hurricane Ian resulted in a devastating impact on our community. Our hearts go out to all of you.
We are #SWFLStrong. We will recover. We will rebuild.
We are grateful that the shelter only received minor damage and all 93 animals in our care at the shelter on September 28th (20 additional in foster) are safe and sound.
We are happy to report that since the storm, we have reunited 7 animals with their owners.
One thing the storm showed us is an outpouring of support.
In the days leading up to the storm, we provided free crates and cat carriers, as well as pet food to anyone in need.
In the wake of Ian, we are so grateful for donations coming to us from far and wide. A big, heartfelt thank you to the following:
- The many CCAS supporters from all over the country who have donated supplies, time, and financial contributions.
- Bark Life Market and More came all the way from Seminole with a truckload of donations. (Thank you Park Place Garage for supplying the truck!).
- Our rescue partners Jane Ziemba, Sandy Kopka and team who drove from Ft Lauderdale/Homestead to bring us supplies and a generous monetary donation.
- We received much needed crates and other supplies from Animal Health Center in East Palatka, arranged by Tambrielle and delivered by Tammy and Jon Kio.
- Former Cape residents Minerva and Henry Torres, who traveled to bring us us supplies.
- Cozza Realty in Fort Myers donated truckloads of supplies.
- Supreme Master Ching Hai International travels to disaster zones to help those in need. They came to CCAS with a truck load of blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, and water. When they heard we didn’t have a generator, they came back with a top of the line generator we will use for many years.
- Blue Waters Dog Rescue who came all the way from Pompano Beach on the West Coast to deliver much needed supplies to shelters in our area.
- Wicked Dolphin Distillery provided us with many drums of water.
We’d also like to thank our neighbors, the William Austin Youth Center. They were a “disaster hub” and provided us with hot meals two-three times a day for 10 days after the storm. They also allowed us to charge our cell phones and get cold drinks/ice.
Additionally, we are blessed to be able to pay it forward through the generosity of so many. Here’s how we’re giving back:
- We are offering FREE food and supplies for your pets. Please come to the shelter at 325 SW 2nd Avenue, Cape Coral FL 33991, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. We are here for you and your pets!
- We are teaming up with Cape Coral Pet Vet for a FREE Urgent CareClinic on Pine Island (see below for details).
- We traveled to SNIP Collier Spay Neuter Clinic to help those in need in Collier County.
- We sent food to Camp Many Paws and Purradise Gardens Rescue.
- We were able to share some of the many pet supply donations with Lee County Domestic Animal Services for further distribution in the community.
- We connected DeSoto Animal Services with statewide evacuation network after roof loss.
- We connected Bowling Green Animal Services with statewide evacuation network.
- We connected Pine Island Cat Rescue with statewide evacuation network.
- We have sent a van full of supplies to the following:
- Lee County Sheriff’s Office Outpost at Miramar for distribution in Lee County (2 loads)
- Lee County Domestic Animal Services (2 loads)
- Windmill Villages
- Golden Estates
- North Fort Myers mobile home park
- Pine Island Community Center
While we hope you take care of yourselves and your families first, we ask you to remember us at this time. We will need sheets, towels and blankets, and various other cleaning supplies. We gave most of our crates out prior to the storm, so if anyone has any to donate or can return the ones we gave you, we would greatly appreciate it.
Of course, any monetary donations would be greatly appreciated at this time. We help many rural shelters and rescues throughout the state and will be called upon again to do so.
Thoughts and prayers to everyone as we help each other rebuild after Hurricane Ian.
Thank you for your support!
