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Felines Purring About New Quarters

LOIS KINDLE/Tampa Tribune

Dorothy Munz of Kings Point watches in amusement as some of the felines in the adult cat room adjust to their new accommodations. Munz was the first visitor to the CARE facility.

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

RUSKIN - Despite a few hair raising moments, cats temporarily housed at the Critter Adoption & Rescue Effort Shelter are purr-fectly pleased after moving into a brand new home Sept. 27.

The 1,500-square-foot facility is at least twice the size of the old quarters, which housed 30 to 35 adult cats and kittens in two sparse rooms attended by C.A.R.E. volunteers. The new cat house has three spacious rooms to allow separation of fully mature cats, adolescents and kittens.

Dorothy Munz of Kings Point, the first visitor to survey the new accommodations, said she was impressed. 'This is so pretty,' she said as she petted several adult cats. 'The other cat house was so old.'

Construction of the building, which has been ongoing for the past year, was funded through about $40,000 in cash donations and reduced labor charges.

'It was built by the combined effort of a lot of volunteers,' said Tim Otte, who sketched out the plans that were drawn up by an area architect. Among the group were: Charlie Bruno, Jeff Rutherford, Jerry Scarborough, Norm Meers, Gloria Blue, Bobby Stroud, Don Hinderliter and Otte, the project coordinator.

Shelter manager Gloria Blue said the old building will be used for storage. The large shed that was used as an intensive care unit for sick cats will be moved to the back of the property, near the new cat house.

C.A.R.E. is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter for abused and abandoned cats and dogs at 1528 27th St. S.E. in Ruskin. The organization also operates a low-cost spay and neuter clinic on site to deter unchecked growth in animal populations in the Ruskin area. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For information, call 645-2273 or visit www.care shelter.org.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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