News
Companion Animal Care of Brevard County (CAC) is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to supporting senior citizens in Brevard County, FL who can no longer care for their beloved pets due to health-related challenges. As the only organization of its kind in Brevard, CAC provides vital services to ensure these cherished animals receive the attention and care they need.
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At the heart of CAC's mission is the belief that every senior deserves the joy and comfort of a loving pet. When health issues or other challenges make it difficult for seniors to look after their animal companions, CAC steps in to help. The organization works tirelessly to find temporary or permanent foster and adoptive homes for these pets, providing a seam less transition and peace of mind for the owners.
In addition to their pet rehoming services, CAC operates the "Paw Pantry" - a program that supplies dog and cat food to local food banks across Brevard County. This essential resource helps ensure that economically vulnerable residents can continue providing for their four-legged family members.
The organization relies entirely on community support and donations to fund its vital work. Selling their now famous homemade caramel corn and hand sewn pet bandanas, while accepting direct contributions through their website, CAC invites the public to get involved and help make a difference in the lives of local seniors and their pets.
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One heartwarming story that exemplifies CAC's impact is that of Kalie and Dee Gabiger. When Kalie's owner sadly passed away, CAC was entrusted to find her a new home. Dee, who had recently lost her own beloved dog named Callie, welcomed Kalie into her life as a foster. The similarities in their names felt like a sign, and the two quickly formed an unbreakable bond. Today, Kalie has found her forever home with Dee, where they continue to heal and find comfort in each other's companionship. Janet Smith & Elaine Same Supporting the Mega Senior Expo on November 13, 2024
By providing essential services, fostering connections, and rallying community support, the organization is ensuring that the elderly in Brevard County never have to face the heartbreak of losing their beloved animal friends. To learn more, visit their website at companionanimalcarebcfl.org. CAC is an approved I.R.S. 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit: https://www.companionanimalcarebcfl.org/donate
Companion Animal Care needs help caring for seniors’ pets
Thursday, September 19, 2024
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Sherlock the cat and Bentley, an elderly dog, are happy recipients of the emergency care offered to their owners by Companion Animal Care of Brevard County (CAC).
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This year-old nonprofit is the brainchild of Christine Evans who noticed a need for seniors who lack support for their beloved animals when they need medical care, but they deny it when they can’t find a place for their pets.
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“We ensure these pets receive the care they need,” Evans said.
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CAC aims to relieve the stress seniors feel when they lack someone to care for their pets during a medical crisis by providing both short and long-term fostering, or finding a new permanent home if needed. Since Companion Animal Care’s inception, the demand has been overwhelming and there is a desperate need for volunteers to foster animals.
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CAC’s other mission is to assist county food pantries by purchasing large quantities of pet food, repackaging and then distributing it to Brevard pantries on a weekly basis. Their vision is to expand the Paw Pantry to more locations throughout the county when the resources are available.
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Although Evans admits she is a foster fail now that she calls Sherlock and Bentley family, the satisfaction she gets from the gratitude of owners and their families during these stressful times makes it all worthwhile.
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The needs of CAC are great, especially as a new nonprofit. To continue their ministry, community support is essential. If you would like to help volunteer, foster a pet, offer storage, vet/grooming services or financial support, visit companionanimalcarebcfl.org, email cacbcfl@gmail.com, or call Evans at 321-750-2669.
Pizza with a purpose: Raising dough for the cause
A huge thank you to the excellent staff and management of the Pizza Gallery & Grill!
We had a fantastic fundraiser last night, September 17, and the team couldn't have been more accommodating. The Pizza Gallery & Grill was also generous, contributing 10% of sales to our cause of rehoming the pets of Brevard County seniors who can no longer care for them and to providing pet food to community food pantries.
Please support the Pizza Gallery & Grill by enjoying their DELICIOUS pizza (I recommend the DaVinci meat masterpiece pizza!) and other dishes.
And thank you to the citizens of Brevard County who joined us last night in our mission. We thank you, our seniors thank you, and their pets in need thank you!
Join us in celebrating our ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Since our founding as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization on July 13, 2023, Companion Animal Care of Brevard County, FL, has had 10 pets adopted and 1 fostered! And so far, in 2024, our Paw Pantry has distributed more than 1,893 lbs. of dry and 678 cans of dog food, as well as 518 lbs. of dry and 5,318 cans of cat food to Brevard County food pantries! And we’re just getting started!
For every one of those pets rehomed, there is a senior citizen alleviated of the stress and anxiety of not knowing if their beloved pet is safe and secure.
Here is kind feedback from two of our pet rehoming beneficiaries:
“Christine is so compassionate and helped place my mom's kitty in a forever home. She passed from cancer, and her sweet Daisy now has a new safe and loving home. I can't thank her enough for all her help and kind words through this process. I highly recommend Companion Animal Care of Brevard County, FL!” -Alicia K.
“I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Companion Animal Care of Brevard County, FL. Please consider donating or volunteering for this wonderful organization.
Here's why their work matters so much: My husband, a hospitalist at Viera Hospital, had a patient who came into the ER and was recommended for admission. She signed out AMA (Against Medical Advice) because she couldn't bear to leave her 18-year-old dog home alone. Sadly, she had to return the next day, too ill to care for herself. Physical therapy assessed her and recommended inpatient rehab, but again, she declined, worried about her dog. It wasn't until my husband and the social worker told her about Companion Animal Care of Brevard that she felt reassured. Knowing her dog would be in good hands, she agreed to the rehab she needed. This organization made it possible for her to prioritize her health without sacrificing her beloved pet's care.
Please join me in supporting Companion Animal Care of Brevard. They truly make a difference.” -Ciara C.
We Made the News Again!
Last year, animal lover Christine Evans founded Companion Animal Care of Brevard County to help seniors with medical issues and their pets, through temporary fostering or rehoming. Bentley’s Mom is a case in point. She needed inpatient rehab, but initially declined treatment because she couldn’t bear to leave her 18-year-old shaggy little dog home alone. Staff at Viera Hospital introduced her to Companion Animal Care, an all-volunteer group that will foster pets until the senior owners are again up to the job.
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‘This organization made it possible for her to prioritize her health without sacrificing her beloved pet’s care,’ wrote Clara Candle, whose husband is a hospitalist at Viera Hospital.
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The group also delivers donated pet food to local food pet kibble kitchens to help pet owners struggling with the cost of feeding their animals.
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Volunteers are needed to foster cutey pies like Bentley and to bag and deliver pet food to food pantries. Although Evans herself had a difficult time with hip replacement, she is nevertheless fostering Bentley at home while she recuperates.
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Monetary donations to purchase pet food are also most welcome. For more information, visit companionanimalcarebcfl.org.
Bentley
Brevard County Fundraiser Event was a Success!!
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So many people to thank for making this beautiful day a HUGE success for CAC! Our sponsors, Donna & Mike Demers & Rick Houseman, countless businesses and supporters for raffle/auction items…couldn’t have done without you.​
The Pineda Inn, Joe Calautti, & everyone attending to support us! (Apologies to those who came but couldn’t find parking. We appreciate you too). Heartfelt gratitude to our fabulous volunteers!!!
You all were awesome.
I’m humbled and grateful for such an outpouring for CAC. Because of you, we can continue on our journey & fulfilling our mission.
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CHECK OUT OUR RECENT ARTICLE ONLINE IN THE BOOMER GUIDE. (Page 46)
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Companion Animal Care Fulfills Legacy for Retiree
Companion Animal Care Fills Void By Assisting Pets of Elderly Owners
Sherlock the cat was in dire need of a savior. His elderly mom had passed away and his dad, who had entered assisted living, couldn’t take him along. Although he shows no symptoms, Sherlock is FIV-positive, which means he carries the feline immunodeficiency virus, making his outlook for adoption dim. Read more
January 5, 2024
Companion Animal Care
Volunteers
Another great day visiting with our food pantry friends who are so appreciative of the dog/cat food, and other goodies we dropped off today!
Would like to salute these hard working volunteers for the amazing job they do to help our community as well. So selfless.
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Reaching out to more locations and providing as much as we can. Big shout out to the volunteers who bagged up all the food! You are so appreciated as are the others who offered as well.
December 30, 2023
Companion Animal Care Volunteers
CAC has a large amount of dog and cat food ready for distribution to Brevard County food pantries beginning next week. If you know of a location that would like to receive food, please message me.
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Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve celebration!
Food Pantry
This past Thursday we made the journey down to Ft Lauderdale for a pallet of pet food. Though somehow it came with chicken and horse feed! Many thanks to Sue and Brad for driving the 2.5 hours and for the use of their truck.
Thanks to them we were able to bring all this back. Will be calling on my volunteers soon to help package it up! CAC so appreciates your donations to make all this possible.
Suggestions for food pantries who would like to receive dog and/or cat food, please message me.
