The next phase of the CFAR development plan is underway, and we desperately need the help of our supporters.  On March 24, 2009, the Brevard Board of County Commissioners made a determination that the CFAR sanctuary needs to be moved within two years!  That’s correct, two years!

Since its inception, CFAR has been moving steadily toward developing a long term solution for our cats.  Everything that we’ve done to improve our current location will be for naught if we don’t move forward.

It has always been our ultimate dream and goal to obtain a large property open to the public so that the cats could have a permanent home.  The decision by the Board of Commissioners brings focus to the urgency with which this must happen.  We have been given two years, and there is a lot of action that must take place in that time if we are to move: 

1. We need property, a site plan, and must have a conditional use permit from Brevard County by November 24, 2009.
2. We must do all site infrastructure preparation by March 1, 2010 to allow adequate time for the safe transfer of our residents.
3. We must build out a facility with stimulating enclosures for the cats that is also interesting and engaging to the general human public visiting our facility.

 All this must be accomplished in light of the following rules:

1. We must maintain our current facility to all USDA and Florida Fish and Wildlife standards.
2. We must keep all of our cats safely housed, properly nourished, and healthy.
3. The commissioners have stated that the 2 year variance will be immediately revoked should we accept any additional Class I animals.  We already maintain an aggressive birth control program, but the adverse effects of these medications may have long-term health risks for our residents.  Therefore, we must spay and neuter those cats at risk of breeding.

This is where you come in.

We need the support of all our people now or there will be no tomorrow for our animal residents.  It is going to take all the financial support we can muster to obtain and build out this new property in the time frame allotted to us.  The Board of Directors has designated a special fund for the acquisition and development of land, and is hard at work narrowing down available options.  We will also need volunteer help throughout the process to continue to strengthen our care program for the cats. 

The goal is a self-sustaining facility, open to the public where the cats can live and we can continue educating on "Conservation, Commitment, and Compassion" toward the plight of the great cats in the world.  Together, we can go the distance and make this dream a reality.

Thomas J. Blue, DMD
President
Central Florida Animal Reserve, Inc.