About Us

I’d like to take a moment to share how my journey with feeding and caring for community cats in North Bay Village began, and why it’s become such an important part of my life.

It all started back in 2015, when I was new to the neighborhood. I had just moved to North Bay Village, excited about the change and the possibilities of a fresh start. But one thing that immediately caught my attention was the large number of stray and community cats wandering around the area. As I walked through the streets, I saw them — hungry, often underweight, and many times, injured or ill. I had never experienced anything like this before, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to do something.

The sight of so many cats in need was overwhelming at first. I wasn’t sure where to start, but I knew I couldn’t ignore what I was seeing. I began by simply offering food, hoping that it might help, but it quickly became clear that there was so much more these cats needed — food was only the beginning. I realized that these animals were facing not only hunger but a lack of shelter, medical care, and protection from the elements.

So, I started reaching out to local organizations, learning about TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and speaking with neighbors who had noticed the same problem. Slowly, I began organizing efforts to care for these cats, providing food, water, and makeshift shelters in places they frequented. I also started the long process of getting some of them spayed or neutered to prevent further overpopulation.

What started as a simple act of feeding these cats evolved into a much bigger mission. As I spent more time with them, I began to see the difference that even small, consistent actions could make. The cats I fed grew healthier, more socialized, and in some cases, were eventually adopted into loving homes. But many remained in the community, and that became my focus — ensuring they had enough to eat, were protected from the elements, and had access to basic veterinary care.

It’s been a journey of learning, trial and error, and building connections with other neighbors who cared about these cats. Over the years, the need for this kind of support in North Bay Village has become more clear, and I’ve seen firsthand how impactful it can be when a community comes together to care for its animals.

Feeding and caring for these cats has become a true passion of mine, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to make a difference, even in small ways, in their lives. There’s something so rewarding about seeing a cat that was once timid or fearful come to trust people, or simply seeing them thrive because they have a reliable source of food and care.

This journey is far from over, but I continue to be inspired by the resilience of these cats, and the kindness of neighbors who have joined me in this mission. I hope my story encourages others to take action, no matter how small, because every bit of help makes a difference in the lives of these animals.

Thank you for letting me share how it all started for me. I look forward to continuing this work, and to the many lives we can impact together.

Maria de la Cruz