The Joanie Bernard Foundation has long been a champion for the well-being of cats in the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area. The Foundation supports organizations and projects that align with its vision of a life filled with love and care for every cat. One of its primary missions is to address the critical issue of cat overpopulation and related health concerns, working to reduce the number of homeless and sick cats in the community.
In partnership with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), the Joanie Bernard Foundation (JBF) has enabled the counties of Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton to provide spay and neuter services for approximately 600 cats each year. This initiative significantly reduces overpopulation and helps address health issues associated with it. Organizations receiving funding from the JBF through the Regional Cat Spay/Neuter Program include the Ohio Alleycat Resource and Spay/Neuter Clinic (OAR), the United Coalition for Animals (UCAN), the Humane Society of Oldham County, Bach Veterinary Clinic, and Heineke Veterinary Hospital.
A generous contribution from the JBF is also supporting the Boone County Animal Care and Control (BCAC) team in their impactful work with the opening of a new animal shelter that features a community spay and neuter clinic. A grant from the JBF to the NKADD further supports low-cost spay and neuter services at the Boone County Animal Shelter. This clinic operates without relying on taxpayer dollars and is the first of its kind in Northern Kentucky, providing affordable services to pet owners who may otherwise struggle with the costs.
With funding from the JBF, the BCAC can safely and humanely manage the stray cat population. This new facility is a significant advancement, allowing the shelter to implement best practices in animal care, focusing on enrichment, community engagement, and creating a welcoming environment for both animals and visitors. This essential resource, made possible in part by the Joanie Bernard Foundation and the NKADD, plays a crucial role in addressing feline overpopulation and ensuring better health for countless animals in the region.
The Joanie Bernard Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of cats is helping turn this vision into reality for the Boone County Animal Shelter and other shelters in the eight-county region. For more information on the Regional Cat Spay and Neuter Program, please visit the NKADD’s website. Additional information can also be found on The Joanie Bernard Foundation website.