Making life better for the Cats at SOCKS

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Vital Stats

Katherine S

Fort Walton Beach, FL

  • people helped4500
  • People Doing It 179

The Problem

SOCKS is a free-roaming, no-kill cat shelter serving three counties. Last year alone we rescued over 400 cats and kittens. I am in the process of my third renovation to improve the lives of the cats and make it easier on the volunteers to care for the cats. I have also fostered 81 kittens in my home who have all now been adopted. I have previously organized a golf tournament to raise funds for the unused room upstairs I remodeled into a bathroom and a sick room. This expansion has allowed large cat rescues. Improving the shelter helps those that work and volunteer there as well as improve the lives and health of the cats who call SOCKS home.

Plan of Action

I have met with the employees and original organizer of SOCKS to find the greatest need for the shelter. It was determined that the screened in porch area needed major modifications to make it more useable in cold weather, easier to clean and able to withstand hurricanes in the summer. I am scheduled to speak at our local Builders Association to present my plan and ask for assistance. I have previously converted a storage room into two useable rooms including a bathroom and a sick room. I have helped to raise over $54,000 but that money is just for the upkeep of the shelter not improvements.

Project Updates

The remodeling of the adult cat room is complete. With the help over 42 people, local contractors and more, we were able to remove the old flooring, walls, shelves and more and replace them with new everything and seal them better for sanitary reasons. The room is now pleasant to stay in and invites people to visit our cats and kittens. The longer people stay, the more likely they are to adopt and spread the word about SOCKS, Save our Cats and Kittens Shelter in Fort Walton Beach.

Now on to the radiant heat and new air filter system.

I feel so blessed to live in an area where people are so willing to help others. I have had offers of help from DL Curtis Construction, Seketa Building and Design, Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, and individuals. My project is moving ahead because of the generosity of so many people. I have also received a grant from the Freeborn Foundation. I am so excited to see the changes happening at our shelter.

Received Animal Welfare grant to help get started on remodeling adult room. Warmzone has outlined what I will need for radiant heat on the outdoor section of adult room. Things are moving but not as fast as I had hoped.

June 17 - Someone read about SOCKS in Parade Magazine All-America Service Team and has contacted me through SOCKS to offer help. Yay!!

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Animals

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