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For the Love of Cats’ Inc. established itself as a nonprofit organization five years ago to keep the Marco Island cat population safe, stable and healthy.

“We support For the Love of Cats completely — 100 percent. It’s a labor of love on their part,” Island Animal Hospital’s Donna Bowen said of Jan and Jim Rich, who founded For the Love of Cats in 2002 as a nonprofit organization to rescue and sterilize abandoned cats on Marco Island.

“I have noticed in the last two years that we have less complaints about feral cats on the island. And in addition we have (For the Love of Cats) to refer those complaints to. Attitudes about the feral population have changed for the better because of their endeavors,” Bowen said.

“I think there would be quite a few more strays out there if it weren’t for their efforts,” Marco Veterinary Hospital’s Dr. Brent Garrison said. “And I think the ones that are (on Marco Island) are living healthier than they have previously,” Garrison said. “And they have done a good job of feeding them, giving them good quality food, having them spayed, neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites.”

“For the Love of Cats’ goal for this year is to continue their sterilization program to control the stray cat population (estimated at over 2,600 on Marco Island), promote affordable spay/neuter programs, and rescue, rehabilitate, nurture and adopt into loving homes as many abandoned kittens and cats as possible,” Jan Rich writes.

The Riches have also announced For the Love of Cats will be moving its shelter into a new location this year to create a more comfortable and loving environment for the cats.