Karen Boyce and Sandra Bartareau walked around the peaceful green fields of their 3.8-acre compound off Sparkman Road several weeks ago. The two women couldn’t wait to move in their newest tenants, which weren’t a family — or even human.
The tenants were dozens and dozens of cats.
The duo bought the land, which includes a blue, cinderblock house, for a new cat adoption center.
Boyce and Bartareau have been trapping feral strays, nursing them back to health and finding them new homes for more than 25 years combined. Both previously used their houses to foster the cats until they are adopted.
Now that they have the land off Sparkman Road, the women have merged their separate operations to become one at the new location. Last month, the cats from their homes were moved onto the land, which was transformed into a “purrfect” cat paradise.
“There’s a lot of work that has been put into this,” Bartareau said.
For now, the cats are kept inside two large fenced in areas. Bartareau and Boyce spent about $12,000 to build the 6-foot-tall, cat-friendly barrier. Currently, the fields don’t have any trees, but Boyce and Bartareau would like to add some landscaping for the cats to play and explore in. They’re hoping other animal-lovers will donate services or foliage.
For the initial move, Bartareau’s rescue cats were placed in one fenced in area, while Boyce’s were placed in another. The two areas are next to each other and are connected by a doggie door. This allows the new feline friends to get used to each other and, when brave enough, can freely venture between the two domains.
One one end of the compound is a specially designed cat box. Some cats prefer to use the box.
Boyce also has moved into the house to oversee the temporary pets. Bartareau plans to sell her house and move to the compound this year. The facility can hold up to 200 cats — caring for them is a full-time job.
Boyce has loved cats since she was a child. When a family friend brought a cat to her house, she was fascinated. Her father finally caved in and brought home a cat for Boyce, but they discovered she was allergic. That didn’t stop her adoration of the animal.
“I just have really good allergy medicine now,” Boyce said.
Later, a roommate moved out and left behind her cat, which was pregnant. Boyce cared for the cat and even bottle-fed the kittens. She was hooked and began to foster cats.
Bartareau also had cats growing up. Her mother took care of strays and fostered cats, but on a smaller scale than Bartareau does now. When Bartareau noticed how many cats were roaming around her Walden Lake neighborhood, she began trapping them. She started with six traps.
“I thought no way would I fill them,” Bartareau said.
But, she did. Working with a veterinarian to get them spayed and neutered, Bartareau also found adoptive families with the vet’s help.
Bartareau was instrumental in trapping 100 cats by Tomlin Middle School and relocating them to a friend’s property in Lithia.
Most of the money to care for their trapped cats comes out of their own pockets. Last year, Bartareau estimates she spent $35,000 on food and liter.
For their new location, the duo is seeking donations to help with food, maintenance, vet bills and other costs, as well as volunteers.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW TO HELP
Cats Everywhere is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that Sandy Bartareau operates to save feral cats. Many feral cats are sick or competing for food in already-taxed colonies. Karen Boyce and Sandra Bartareau have moved their trapped cats to a new compound off Sparkman Road for rehabilitation and adoption. The location will not be a drop-off point for cats.
For more information, to donate or volunteer, call (813) 391-1987 or email catseverywhere@gmail.com.