About Us
In 1998, a lady concerned with the growing population of stray cats in Miami Springs, placed a little classified ad in a local paper calling interested people to meet and discuss how they could control and help the homeless animals in their community. A dozen people showed up for the first meeting, and that was the start of Caring About The Strays.
Over the years, more volunteers have joined forces to help care, foster, and find homes for these lovable animals. Under the leadership and dedication of Laney Silver, Caring About The Strays has expanded its activities and has grown to approximately 50 hands-on volunteers. Each one of them, doing a little bit to make a lifesaving difference in these animal’s lives.
We are a privately funded non-profit organization, and depend heavily on donations to support our daily activities, which includes feeding over 200 colony cats, rescuing, spaying & neutering, treating, and socializing stray animals so that one day, they will be able to find loving permanent homes. Caring About The Strays does not have a shelter. We function as a foster network and rely on the kindness of individuals who open their hearts and homes to care for rescued animals. We believe that every life is precious and we strive to give each animal the best care and opportunity of a healthy and happy life.
Although our daily activities are filled with small tasks such as feeding and cleaning litter boxes, we dream BIG! Our ultimate goal is to one day build the first Animal Sanctuary in South Florida. Unlike a shelter, a Sanctuary is a place where homeless animals are not caged. They are free to explore, become the best they can be and if never adopted, the Sanctuary is a place they can call HOME for the rest of their lives.
We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we know our dream for these animals will one day come true. At Caring About The Strays we also believe that great things can be accomplished with the help of many hands and the determination of many minds. We welcome new ideas and invite you all to join us in the pursuit of a world where people care enough to do even just a little bit, so that no animal is left behind.
Who is Caring About The Strays?
Laney Silver
Laney Silver is the driving force behind Caring About The Strays. Although growing up she only had a parakeet and a small, mixed breed dog named Dulcanita, Laney has been an animal lover her entire life and growing up was constantly begging her mother to let her bring home every animal that crossed her path.
Today, saving animals’ lives is Laney’s mission in life. She has been known to rescue any animal in need; iguanas, raccoons, possums, fledgling birds, rabbits, ducks, you name it. She cannot ignore an animal in need and will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and well-being.
As a hands-on leader, Laney is involved in almost every aspect of our organization. Her daily routine includes leaving her house by 3:30am every morning to feed and care for community cats, trap animals in need of vet care and transporting them to the clinic where they are treated until they have a clean bill of health. She can be found at the animal hospital an average of 4-5 times a day.
When Laney's not caring for homeless animals, she is tending to her own assortment of pets. An enormous inspiration for her are the special needs animals that she has adopted: Homer, her blind cat; Becky and Wiley, both three legged cats; the Tennessee snotters, four cats with compromised respiratory systems. And the list goes on and on.
Laney’s big heart and commitment to the animal cause are inspiring. Her big dream is to acquire property for a sanctuary where the animals in our care have a home for the rest of their lives where their safety and security can be guarantee.
If you share a passion for animals contact Laney at: info@caringaboutthestrays.org and let us know how you want to help.
Marta A. Oppenheimer
Fundraising & Event Coordinator
Marta’s energetic personality and love for animals are a powerful combination. She leads Caring About The Strays fundraising events and has helped our organization acquire partnerships to promote adoptions and donations for homeless animals. Some of our events include: Macy’s Shop for a Cause, Lush Charities, Hooter's, Boca Java, Miami Heat & The Marlins.
This fiery redhead is also an occasional foster mom for newly rescued pets and you can even find her wearing a Santa hat during the holidays asking for pet food donations.
Always a multi-tasker, Marta currently has two careers. She is an Art Director and a freelance writer for a South Beach magazine. Her artistic talent is present in all Caring About The Strays Flyers, Cards and Signs.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she moved to Miami in 1999. She is the oldest of four sisters, and describes herself as being a loving daughter, proud new aunt, a loyal friend, an awesome sister and sister in law, and caring pet mother!
She lives with 3 wonderful rescued dogs and spoiled, fat, rescued cats in an old artsy house that barely has space for yet another street fair work of art, another book, or another pair of wannabe-converses. Then again, there is no such thing as too many shoes.... or pets!
If you want to partner with Caring About The Strays for your next event, please contact Marta at events@caringaboutthestrays.org
Where is Caring About The Strays?
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 661160
Miami Springs, FL 33266
