PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – When it comes to helping our furry friends, one local organization is doing a big thing. 30A Cats, a nonprofit based in Santa Rosa Beach, works tirelessly to combat the growing number of abandoned and feral cats in the area. From trapping and neutering to finding loving homes, 30A Cats is making a significant contribution to the community.
Founded by Bridget Kornder, 30A Cats is dedicated not only to saving cats, but also to building a stronger community. The organization is run entirely by volunteers who share a common mission: to save lives, reduce euthanasia, and control the feral cat population along Florida’s scenic coast.
“One female cat and her offspring can grow into nearly 5,000 cats over a seven-year period,” explains Shari Clark, co-director of 30A Cats. “We are a core group of seven volunteers, and we are not crazy cat ladies. But we are resilient women fighting to make a difference on the coast.”
The organization focuses primarily on TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return). By humanely trapping and neutering cats, it prevents the population from growing further. But its mission doesn’t end there.
“So last year we started moving 40 cats every month to help our neighbors to the north reduce the euthanasia rate at the Walton County Shelter,” Clark said. “It’s made a dramatic difference. Last year we moved 250 cats and this year we’re back on track.”
In addition to TNR, 30A Cats rescues and rehabilitates kittens and places them in loving homes. But the work isn’t easy.
“I contacted 30A Cats through the emergency number and thought, ‘Okay, if I have to volunteer to care for these kittens, I’ll do it,'” says Denise Boineauone, co-director of 30A Cats and a year and a half veteran of the organization.
“This morning we received a 911 call about kittens found in the Panama City area,” Clark said. “We are heading out again this evening to find the mother cat so she can continue nursing the kittens and administer antibodies to them. Eventually they will be placed in foster care for socialization and then put up for adoption, likely at Pet Supplies Plus in Destin.”
30A Cats is more than just a rescue organization. The group’s bond is strengthened by shared experiences as members overcome personal challenges, including the loss of children and battling cancer.
“We are a close-knit group,” Clark said. “There is a certain resilience among us. We are determined to do the right thing and make the lives of these animals and Area 30A better.”
The challenges are real. With no facilities, volunteers work from their cars and homes and rely entirely on donations.
“We spend a minimum of $150 per kitten, and if surgery is needed, it can cost up to $4,000,” Clark explained. “When we surrender these babies, we are really on the hook. We never know how much it will cost to get them into foster care and eventually adopt them out.”
Their strategy includes informing local resorts of feeding times to avoid attracting predators, setting up feeding stations so that animals can be caught and released efficiently, and tipping the cat’s left ear, which is widely accepted to signal that a cat has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
“The left ear is tipped to show that the cat has already been caught and examined,” Clark said. “If you see a cat whose left ear is not tipped, that means it has not been caught yet. That’s what we’re constantly looking for in community cats.”
One of 30A Cats’ core messages is the importance of leaving kittens with their mother until they are old enough to be weaned.
“Until eight weeks of age, it’s best for a kitten to be with its mother,” stresses Tami Wolfe, co-director of 30A Cats. “If you see kittens, please do not grab them. Just notify us at 30ACats.org and submit a TNR request.”
Whether it’s rescuing a kitten in need or educating the public about the importance of TNR, 30A Cats is more than just a rescue group – they are an important part of the community, creating a safer, more compassionate environment for residents and visitors. To get involved or learn more, visit their website at 30ACats.org or their Facebook page.
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