Construction begins on cat porch for Humane Society of Manatee County

Venice-based J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. (www.JECharlotte.com), a commercial construction company that offers a full range of construction management services, began construction on the newest addition to the Humane Society of Manatee County’s campus – an almost 500-square-foot feral cat porch.

The new building, the fourth on the nonprofit’s campus, will act as temporary outdoor holding facility for the free-roaming felines that are trapped and brought to the Humane Society of Manatee County for spay or neuter surgeries and vaccines. Following the procedures, the nonprofit tips each cat’s ear so the animal is not mistakenly trapped again. The animal is then released back into the colony where it was originally trapped.

Slated for completion in summer 2016, J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. is building the $30,000 add-on from the ground up, including the concrete foundation and chain-link fence with minimal plumbing and electrical work.

Rick Yocum, executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County, a nonprofit with a mission to lead Manatee County in fostering compassion and respect for animals through care, education and collaboration, hopes this trap-and-release program is modeled throughout the state.

“The construction of this feral cat porch will make the entire process easier for the trappers, caretakers and cats,” says Yocum. “This open-air environment is less stressful for an outdoor cat and provides a humane setting for them before they are re-introduced into the colony they came from. Each colony has dedicated volunteers who feed and provide water for the cats every single day.”

In September 2015, the commercial construction company revamped an existing 10,000-square-foot building that now holds the nonprofit’s spay-and-neuter operating rooms and its veterinary clinic. The former Salvation Army retail store’s interior and exterior was gutted and renovated. The facility is open to the public and services have recently been expanded to include wellness and dental exams.

Located at 2415 14th St. W. in Bradenton, the Humane Society of Manatee County houses its adoptable cats in a single-story building while the two-story building currently holds the administrative offices and the offices for the adoption program and its adoptable dogs.

About J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp.

J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., backed by more than 30 years of experience in the commercial building industry, provides a full range of construction management services. The company is among the top 50 contractors on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a portfolio of successful and distinctive buildings. J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp.’s specialties span a range of commercial applications, including the healthcare, retail and country club and recreational industries.

Jeff Charlotte, president and CEO of J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., and his team are dedicated to providing efficient and sustainable construction products and practices. The construction firm’s buildings are not only environmentally conscious but also provide immediate and long-term economic benefits. J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. helps build stronger communities — one commercial project at a time. For more information, visit JECharlotte.com or call 941-445-4045.

About The Humane Society of Manatee County

The Humane Society of Manatee County is a private nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that receives no funding from taxpayers or any other umbrella organization. The mission of HSMC is to provide critical life-saving sheltering, veterinary, adoption and humane education programs to our community. For more information, visit our website at www.HumaneManatee.org.