An animal rescue in Florida is currently dealing with an influx of over 250 cats in desperate need of homes.
HOPE (Helping Overpopulation of Pets End) for Brevard, a no-kill shelter, has taken in 147 cats from North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in addition to the more than 100 felines already in its care.
The hurricane’s devastating impact on shelters in the Carolinas has left organizations scrambling to find space for displaced animals, with many facilities overwhelmed or damaged by the storm. HOPE for Brevard stepped in to help alleviate the burden by transporting cats from affected areas to its Melbourne shelter. Now, the shelter is working to care for the huge population currently in their shelter.
“The current number of cats in our care is actually closer to 260,” Amanda Peck, shelter manager at HOPE for Brevard, told Newsweek. “We took in 147 from the Carolinas after the hurricane and had over 100 cats prior to that intake. All of the cats are available for adoption, but the newer ones will need vet care prior to being able to go home.”
As a no-kill shelter, HOPE for Brevard said that it is committed to finding homes for every single one of the cats. “The only plans are to get them all to their forever homes safely,” Peck said. “The cats’ personalities range, just like people. Most are friendly and social, but we do have older cats and those with special medical needs.”
Among the numerous cats are kittens, bonded pairs, and even some with unique traits, such as felines with one eye or specific medical conditions. While these cats are all seeking a loving family, the shelter emphasized that finding the right match is key—especially for animals with special needs or bonded pairs that must be adopted together.
HOPE for Brevard is far from the only shelter struggling with the challenges of high intake. In 2023, over 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, marking a 4 percent increase from the previous year, according to Shelter Animals Count. Additionally, the number of dogs and cats in shelters at the end of 2023 was 117,000 more than the previous year, putting immense pressure on already overwhelmed facilities.
As of 2024, one in four pet owners reports that they have considered rehoming their pet in the last 12 months due to factors such as financial strain, housing limitations, and lifestyle changes. Many shelters are now operating at or beyond capacity, with some even resorting to housing animals in temporary crates in hallways or offices.
To adopt one of the cats, potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an application online or visit HOPE for Brevard’s shelter in person during adoption hours. The shelter, located at 1465 Cypress Avenue in Melbourne, is open for adoptions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Each cat has its own story, but they’re all here because they need homes,” Peck said. “Our goal is to find those homes and make sure these cats get the second chance they deserve.”