MIAMI — Jeannine Frontela’s heart is with the community of stray cats at PortMiami, which spans across 500 acres on three islands.

Two years ago, the port and Miami-Dade Animal Services partnered to care for the cats through the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return program or TNVR.

Miami-Dade Animal Services has sterilized 146 cats since the program started. Frontela, an advocate and volunteer, has helped to trap and feed the cats.

“I am the voice of some of these cats,” Frontela said. “No food is being provided.”

The program relies on food donations and counts on 14 volunteers, including Frontela. But, they need more.

“We are looking for volunteers that either work at the port, or they are familiar with the port, to assist feeding the cats,” said Raysa Samper, the port’s property manager.

Last year, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to allow the lawful feeding of stray animals and to prohibit the dumping of animals at the port.

The port opened five designated cat feeding stations, but four are behind security fences. Samper said the volunteers donate food.

“It’s a commitment, so it has to be someone that really, really, really loves the cats,” Samper said.

Volunteers have to go through an application process to become “authorized individuals” in the “lawfully established” feeding program.

For more information about volunteering for the Miami-Dade Animal Services, visit this page.

For more information about volunteering at the port, contact Samper at 305-347-4908 or Raysa.Samper@miamidade.gov

PortMiami’s regulated feeding program for stray cats needs volunteers, food donors

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Jacey Birch