Have a Heart for the Animals by Karen Coney Coplin

Karen Coney Coplin

If you’re ready to unleash the joy this holiday season and next year, make note of a great event set to benefit SNIP Collier: the first annual Bark and Build dog house design competition. This 501c3 organization hopes this unique event will help meet goals of public awareness, education, and outreach. SNIP Collier is a spay and neuter initiative program with the goal of ending pet overpopulation as well as the hard existence lived by homeless dogs and cats in Collier County.

Their services are especially needed during periods of time, like now, as the local Domestic Animal Services and Humane Society are taking a hiatus on community cats programs, like TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs which sterilize feral cats and homeless strays.

The SNIP Collier organization will establish a low-cost full service surgery and wellness clinic and education center, to be constructed in Immokalee. This not-for-profit organization secured a 30 year lease of a facility formerly used as a DAS shelter.

The existing Immokalee structure needs to be transformed and rebuilt as an intake shelter for local cats and dogs, including strays. This will provide comprehensive and affordable spay and neuter services and related veterinary care, including vaccines & preventative care, to an underserved area.

SNIP Collier is currently working on architectural designs and site plans. (Local builders interested in bidding on this project should email marketing@snipcollier.org)

Life in Naples readers can also help by participating in the aforementioned Bark and Build competition by requesting a team entry form at www.barkandbuild.org and making plans to attend the SNIP Collier annual gala at the Tiburón Golf Club on February 8, 2025.

For information about tickets to this event, please call 239-778-8572 or send an email to marketing@snipcollier.org (You can also send an email to this address for more information about volunteering.)

All of the dog houses entered into this competition will be auctioned that evening, with all proceeds to benefit the services SNIP Collier extends to the pet, stray, and feral populations of Collier County.

Consider also supporting this organization through donations, particularly through their Helping Paws Medical Fund; spreading the word about their events, fostering an animal in need or even better, adopting one into your home. SNIP Collier has many partner agencies to assist in placing
animals in permanent loving homes.

SNIP Collier is largely comprised of volunteers who truly emulate the “boots on the ground” principles of service to help animals, whether injured, homeless, or otherwise in need. Sharing their posts on Facebook or Instagram is also an easy way to help connect their services with other Life in Naples readers.

“Saving one dog will not change the world, but for that one dog the world will be forever changed.” ~author unattributed

“A cat has nine lives; three to play; three to start, and three to stay.” ~English proverb

And you can help with any of these! Please contact Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with suggestions for future article coverage, which is often centered on charitable organizations in Naples and the programs/services these groups offer. Additionally, for more vignettes about life in Naples,
give her a follow on Instagram @Naplesbythenumbers.