Cape Coral Animal Shelter Corporation

CCAS expects to see a community more knowledgeable about the importance of spaying and neutering, how to properly care for a pet, and the responsibility that lies with the pet owner when deciding to adopt. There needs to be a paradigm shift stressing that pets are forever and CCAS can be the catalyst for change. By spreading these educational messages in a constructive and encouraging manner, CCAS expects to see an increase in pets being spayed/neutered, an increase in the number of pets being cared for properly, and more people being informed on how to be a responsible pet owner, so they are able to keep their pet. CCAS fully supports the notion that pets are a commitment for the lifetime of the pet. CCAS expects to improve not only the well-being of Cape Coral’s pet population, but it will serve its residents in an encouraging way. CCAS will help owners identify ways in which they may be able to keep their pets rather than having to surrender them.

CCAS hopes to provide a model for other shelters, including animal control facilities, to emulate by providing a much-needed service to sustain and support the shelter and to keep animals out of the shelter in the first place. From its inception, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter has been welcomed and strongly supported by the city, the residents of Cape Coral, the veterinary community, other rescue organizations, and our surrounding communities. All
funds raised to date have come from individuals in our community, community support organizations, local
businesses, school groups, civic organizations, and various other grass roots groups. We expect that to
continue.

CCAS opened March 19, 2020—just four days before the entire world shut down due to Covid-19. We persevered and proceeded to find loving, forever homes for over 2,200 animals in our first two years of operation. These pets enter their new homes already spayed/neutered, vaccinated and with registered microchips.

With skyrocketed unemployment, a primarily senior population, and the devastating effect of Covid on our economy, the need for our low-cost veterinary clinic is greater than ever. We average 280 appointments per week, have seen over 5,300 new patients and 3,700 new clients since opening in 2020. We have performed 1,300 spay/neuter surgeries, 375 dental procedures, administered over 2,700 rabies vaccines and implanted over 600 microchips. Our mission to improve the health of pets in our community is being realized every single day and our impact has far exceeded our expectations.

CCAS as exceeded all expectations during our first two years of operation, proving there is a desperate need for both an animal shelter and a low cost clinic in our community.

From the very beginning, Phase II was planned, although we are looking to start it much sooner than anticipated. We knew we would outgrow our shelter and clinic quickly and we surely did. The planning has begun for a new 14,000 square foot shelter on the same property adjacent to the current building. Shelter operations will move to the new building and will more than double our intake capacity for cats and dogs. Our existing building will be refitted to expand the clinic operations and increase our capacity to see even more patients weekly.

Our goal has always been to impact the lives of animals far beyond Cape Coral, and as we continue to expand, will be able to assist other shelters and rescue partners throughout Florida--even more than we already are. Expanding our clinic will allow more pets to receive veterinary care that may not prior to our existence.

We will once again be asking for this community to support us as they have so wholeheartedly from the very beginning. Our donors, volunteers, and supporters continue to amaze us as they help us thrive in so many ways. We have a wonderful “village”, and we would not be where we are today or able to look toward the future without the unwavering support of this community. We are truly grateful.