A local nonprofit organization, For the Love of Cats, is going into its second year of partnership with FGCU to offer scholarships to undergraduate biology students interested in veterinarian medicine.

Last year, one scholarship was awarded. Due to donations from local businesses and expanded funding, For The Love of Cats can award two scholarships this year. The scholarship is $3,500, which covers tuition for a semester at FGCU.

“I’m hoping every year to be able to expand it a little bit. I mean, I’d love to be able to pay a full year’s tuition for two students. So, that’s my goal for next year,” Jan Rich, founder of For the Love of Cats, said.

This incentive was created in hopes that students will pursue veterinarian medicine and go on to work in southwest Florida, preventing the local veterinary community from struggling to find employees.

“The student we had last year, we were able to organize a veterinarian in northern Collier County that she could volunteer with over the summer to get some great experience,” Rich said. 

Staffing troubles prevent animals from receiving the care they need. For the Love of Cats wants to encourage more students to join the veterinary field by providing firsthand opportunities along with these scholarships.

For the Love of Cats, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ending cat overpopulation in Collier County by trapping, neutering, and returning free-roaming community cats to where they were found to prevent reproduction. Since 2002, they have been committed to helping any cats in need, no matter the situation.

Visit their website to learn more about this opportunity: https://www.fortheloveofcatsfl.com