By Dr. Cummings, Veterinary Medical Director, ORCAT, ORCF Recipient Partner

CATWALK, ORCAT’S annual fundraiser, is coming up, March 29th in partnership with Neiman Marcus. CATWALK is a much anticipated luncheon/fashion show fundraiser with over 400 attendees. Tickets are available now by emailing catwalk@orcareef.com. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Grayvik Animal Care Center, home to ORCAT, relies on donations and revenue from the veterinary and grooming services provided to the approximately 550 companion cats and dogs of Ocean Reef, ORCA, as well as the fundraising efforts of All Charities and CATWALK.

Grayvik’s mission is to manage and care for the working cat population on Ocean Reef. Cats were originally introduced to the Reef in the late 1960s to control the rodent population in and around what was then a fishing village. To address cat overpopulation while maintaining a natural predator to native vermin, ORCAT was established in the mid 1990s. ORCAT staff members trap cats for wellness exams, testing, vaccinations, microchipping/tattooing and altering. There are 40 feeding areas throughout the Reef that are managed everyday rain or shine, holiday or weekend.

The hallmark of ORCAT is the Trap-Neuter-Release program. This TNR program has been studied and duplicated by other shelters and communities who understand the benefits of managing a healthy colony of working cats, particularly in island communities. Few members know that in 2019 the ORCAT TNR program was published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science and has been applauded as one of the top TNR programs in the country as well as one of the longest running programs. At one time the cat population on Ocean Reef was close to 2000. Present counts estimate 200 working cats in the community and 120 adoptable cats living at the Grayvik Center. As Mary Brady said in a recent January 21st Ocean Reef Press article, “ORCATs are our friends!”

While donations to ORCAT are always welcome, there is no greater gift than giving a cat a home. Not all ORCATS are working cats and it is these adoptable cats and kittens that live at the Grayvik Animal Care Center and enjoy visits from members, visiting families and organizations. In partnership with the Broward County Humane Society we recently were able to place 13 kittens into new homes. Visit our cats at the Grayvik Center Monday through Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm or view them on Instagram @grayvikanimalcarecenter or Facebook. If you are interested in adopting please contact us at 305-367-4701. Learn more at our website www.grayvikcenter.com.