In a neighborhood just north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Carmen Morales Weinberg is on a heartfelt mission to rescue stray and feral cats.
As the founder of Animal Friends Project, Carmen dedicates her time, energy, and resources to care for these vulnerable felines.
Florida’s continuous “kitten season” keeps her busy year-round, with cats arriving in desperate conditions, including ringworm, mange, blindness, starvation, and flea infestations. Despite the many challenges, Carmen never turns a cat away.
Carmen’s efforts can be overwhelming, costly, and sometimes disheartening, but the rewarding moments fuel her passion. She finds joy and inspiration in transforming cats’ lives, like watching a once-suffering cat become a robust ginger beauty.
Even though Carmen’s organization is flooded with cases, she couldn’t ignore Simba, a cat in dire need. Recognizing the financial demands of his care, she launched a fundraising campaign, as Animal Friends Project relies entirely on donations.
Simba’s case came to Carmen’s attention through a resident who contacted her for help. When Carmen arrived, the cat’s suffering was evident, and his pitiful cries for help were impossible to ignore.
Using food as an incentive, Carmen easily coaxed him into a cage, realizing he must be in a lot of pain.
Back at her home, Carmen named the cat Simba and discovered his condition was severe, with mange covering his body like a hard shell.
Mange is caused by mites that burrow beneath the skin, leading to intense itching and hair loss. Fortunately, the condition is treatable.
Simba quickly adapted to Carmen’s care, eagerly accepting food, water, and attention. Within days, his skin began to heal, and the parasites died off. Encouraged by Simba’s progress, Carmen applied eye drops to help him open his eyes.
Remarkably, Simba allowed Carmen to administer treatments, such as using coconut oil to soften the crust on his skin. He didn’t resist much, except when it came to cleaning his ears, preferring a softer touch.
Simba’s comfort was evident as he began to stretch out contentedly instead of curling up, a sign of his growing happiness.
Carmen celebrated when a small glimpse of Simba’s eye peeked through the crust, allowing him to see his caretaker for the first time.
A visit to the Chasewood Animal Hospital further improved his condition, where his mange scabs were shaved off, and he tested negative for FeLV and FIV.
Simba’s recovery continued as his damaged fur fell away, allowing healthy new coats to grow. Even though he was still wary of ear cleaning, Carmen patiently worked to rebuild Simba’s trust, avoiding any setbacks in his healing.
With his mange no longer a threat, Carmen planned to find Simba a foster home where he could roam freely and learn the ways of indoor living. Despite his past, he still showed some “cat-like” traits by being selective about his ear care.
Simba’s transformation was evident, with healed skin and the promise of a full fur coat in the future. If you’re interested in helping Carmen with her rescue work or fostering a cat, you can learn more on their website.
Follow the inspiring stories of Carmen and Animal Friends Project on their Facebook page.
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