Operation Catnip of Gainesville, Inc.
Campaigns
Poseidon
Poseidon’s Second Chance Came at a Cost — Please Help
Gainesville, FL • Operation Catnip of Gainesville, Inc.
Meet Poseidon — affectionately known as “Purcy.” When Purcy was brought to Operation Catnip, his caregiver was deeply concerned. He had large, painful gashes behind his ears and one ear folded over completely — the result of long-term, untreated ear infections that had built up scar tissue, damaged his hearing, and severely impacted his quality of life. Our clinical team quickly discovered that Purcy was also suffering from a large hematoma in his right ear — a swollen pocket of fluid caused by ruptured blood vessels. These can develop from constant scratching, head shaking, and chronic infections. The wounds behind his ears were self-inflicted, the heartbreaking result of relentless pain and itching. Every time his ears were gently cleaned, Purcy would kick his feet and hum with happiness — finally getting relief from the discomfort he’d endured for so long. Purcy received essential vaccines including FVRCP and rabies, along with flea prevention, and was placed in a loving foster home where he could heal indoors. With patience, kindness, and lots of soothing Aquaphor, his foster caregiver helped nurse his wounds back to health. While the cuts behind his ears improved, the hematoma stubbornly remained — even after two rounds of steroids. The next step was surgery. After his first procedure, Purcy showed progress, but he needed a second surgery to fully address the issue. Today, after that second surgery, Purcy is finally on the mend. For the first time in a long while, he has the chance to live without constant pain, itching, and discomfort. He can simply be a cat — relaxed, comfortable, and happy. But Purcy’s care has been extensive — exams, medications, vaccines, two rounds of steroids, surgery, and post-operative monitoring — and the costs add up quickly. We urgently need your help to cover Purcy’s medical expenses. Without donor support, cats like him would have no access to the lifesaving care they need. Every dollar helps us pay for the treatments that gave Purcy relief and a second chance. Please donate today to help cover Purcy’s surgeries and recovery. Your gift — no matter the size — directly supports his care and allows Operation Catnip to continue saying “yes” to cats suffering in silence. Purcy is healing because someone stepped up. Will you be that someone today? 4/27/26 Update Purcy continues to remind us every single day why helping cats like him matters so much. After enduring chronic ear infections, painful wounds, a stubborn hematoma, multiple medications, and two surgeries, Purcy is now safe in foster care — and feeling so good. His foster caregiver reports that Purcy is thriving indoors as he continues to heal. The discomfort and constant irritation that once controlled his days are finally being replaced with something he may not have experienced much before: comfort, peace, and affection. And Purcy is absolutely soaking it up. He loves spending time with his foster, happily hanging out nearby, asking for attention, and showing just how incredibly sweet he truly is. This once-suffering boy has such a gentle, loving personality, and now that he is no longer consumed by pain, he is able to simply enjoy being cared for. Watching him lean into pets, seek out companionship, and relax in safety has been such a rewarding transformation. While Purcy is doing wonderfully, his medical journey has required extensive veterinary treatment — exams, medications, repeated ear care, steroids, surgeries, and continued recovery support in foster. We are so grateful for everyone who has donated so far, but we still need help covering the cost of the care that got him to this point. Please consider making a donation today to support Purcy’s continued healing and help Operation Catnip remain a lifeline for cats suffering just like he was. Every dollar helps provide medical relief, safe foster recovery, and second chances. Purcy is sweet, safe, and finally comfortable — and that is because compassionate people chose to help. 5/14/26 Update Because of your incredible support, Purcy’s story has a happy ending. When Purcy first arrived at Operation Catnip, he was living in constant pain from severe, long-term ear infections, open wounds behind his ears, and a painful hematoma that had already caused significant damage. Watching him finally experience relief for the first time — leaning into gentle ear cleanings, relaxing in foster care, and soaking up affection — reminded us exactly why this work matters. Today, we are so happy to share that Purcy is healing beautifully after his second surgery and thriving in foster care. The constant itching, pain, and discomfort that once controlled his life are finally behind him. Instead of suffering outdoors, Purcy now spends his days safe, comfortable, and surrounded by love. His sweet personality has completely blossomed, and he has become such a happy, affectionate companion. None of this would have been possible without the kindness and generosity of supporters like you. Because people chose to care, Purcy received the exams, medications, vaccines, surgeries, recovery support, and loving foster care he desperately needed. Your donations gave him relief, healing, and a true second chance. From all of us at Operation Catnip — and especially from Purcy — thank you for making this transformation possible. Every donation, share, and word of encouragement helped change his life. Your support allows us to continue helping cats who are suffering in silence and gives them the opportunity to heal, feel safe, and finally know comfort. Purcy’s future is now bright, peaceful, and full of love — and that is because of you.
Kitten Shelter Diversion
Kitten Shelter Diversion in Gainesville, FL, needs $2,000 for Spay/Neuter Program
Gainesville, FL • Operation Catnip of Gainesville, Inc.
Operation Catnip of Gainesville needs $2,000 to keep kittens out of shelters. Our Kitten Shelter Diversion (KSD) Program is the alternative to relinquishment at our over-crowded shelters for residents who find kittens in their backyards. By keeping these kittens out of the shelters, the KSD program prevents overcrowding and the risk of euthanasia. In 2023, Operation Catnip kept 1,249 kittens out of local shelters through the KSD. Those kittens who would now be living outside are instead in loving homes, sourced by their caregivers through social networks or online rehoming resources. It also decreases the burden upon resources and staff, increasing resources that can be spent on other animals. Operation Catnip spays and neuters all the kittens, provides tools necessary for the caregivers to find homes for the kittens through their social networks, and works with the caregivers to trap the queen and other cats in their area to stop the cycle. Operation Catnip provides support for success, including preventative medical care, sick kitten care, vaccines, worming, and finally spay or neuter upon graduation from the program. Without this program, caregivers would either surrender the kittens to one of our local shelters or give them away to family and friends unaltered, thus extending the reproductive cycle. At Operation Catnip, spay-neuter is always our priority. This fundraising goal of $2,000 will provide full services for 30 kittens in our KSD. Together, we can make amazing things happen for animals.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread is a three-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat in Gainesville, FL, who needs $1,910 for urgent hip surgery.
Gainesville, FL • Operation Catnip of Gainesville, Inc.
Gingerbread had a brush with death after she was hit by a car. Her caregivers found her with devastating injuries and contacted Operation Catnip of Gainesville. "She had a shattered leg with exposed bone," Audrey G., with the rescue group, tells Waggle. "It required immediate amputation, but that wasn't the end of Gingerbread's troubles. She also had a broken pelvis, and the hip bone in her remaining hind leg was dislocated." Gingerbread needed a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) surgery to help fix her hip so she can walk without pain. She required crate rest and an exercise routine. "Gingerbread is one of our special, critical care cases, who never acted feral even though she had been an outdoor cat" Audrey says. "She has been super-friendly the entire time she has been with us. Her caregivers, who love her deeply, know that they had to let her go because they could not keep her indoors, as will be required for her from now on." She will be transferred to an adoption program where she can find a loving indoor home! Please help Gingerbread by funding her medical care after suffering such tragic injuries. "At Operation Catnip, spay-neuter is always our priority," Audrey adds. "But community cats also deserve high-quality medical care when they're ill or injured. With your help, we can offer second chances at life for the unowned cats of our county and surrounding rural neighbors."