WELCOME TO OUR HOMELESS
KITTY HAVEN

Discover our heartwarming journey!

Our Organization

Welcome to Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary on the AQUASITA, a 509(a)(2) & 501(c)(3) non-profit cat rescue, also known as Homeless Kitty Haven. Founded by Franco Antonio Blanco, Owner/Chef of the House of Food Porn Restaurant in Little Haiti, Miami, in honor of Mr. Charles Marshall, a pioneer feeder, rescuer and cat lover in the Little Haiti, Miami Community who’s untimely passing in 2020 left a community filled with homeless, hungry helpless cats. Our sanctuary continues his legacy by providing a safe haven for our beloved feline friends from the Little Haiti Community where Charlie lived and fed over 150 kitties daily.The unforeseen journey originally began on the streets of Little Haiti in Miami, Florida 2016 when Chef Franco met Charlie Marshall while Charlie was on one of his feeding routes around the neighborhood. The selflessness and love for animals that Charlie Marshall displayed really moved Chef Franco is what led Chef to assist Charlie with feeding, spaying and neutering stray cats that were coming around the back of the restaurant.After Charlie’s untimely passing in 2020 from Lung Cancer, Chef Franco, along with other amazing and dedicated feeders, rescuers and cat lovers, who took on the daunting task of feeding the insurmountable amount of cats Charlie would feed on a daily basis.The Mission since has become simple, to Spay and Neuter all the Cats in the neighborhood and to find “FURRREVER” loving home for New Kittens Rescues and Seniors that deserve a loving home their last few years of their lives.In 2021, we took a bold step forward by leasing an old coin laundry in Little Haiti, directly across from Chef's restaurant. This place was meant to be a safe haven, a space where a coin laundry would serve the community in the front, while the back would transform into a multifunctional Cat Café. But our dreams were crushed. Sabotaged by a landlord who delayed construction and offered inadequate lease terms, the project quickly spiraled into a nightmare. After a grueling year and a half of trying to gather the necessary funds to bring this vision to life, Chef was left with no choice but to vacate the premises, devastated and financially drained, with a loss exceeding $100,000. Even more heartbreaking was the fate of 16 precious felines of all ages and genders, already rescued, now left in limbo as our dream crumbled before our eyes.It was then that our Cat Sanctuary location shifted from the Coin Laundry to our AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT where offering them a second chance at life to the Homeless Kitties of Little Haiti has become our priority. Now nestled in the Florida Keys, our cats enjoy a paradise surrounded by Dolphins and Manatees and nature, while our Mission and efforts in spaying/neutering and fostering kitties in Little Haiti, continues to thrive with the support of our present and future donors.Join us in our mission to rescue and care for adorable stray cats from the bustling streets of Little Haiti, Miami, providing them with a cozy refuge at Homeless Kitty Haven on the AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT at Casa Blanco in Key Largo, Florida.Together, let’s change lives. Your donation can turn a desperate meow into a purring symphony of gratitude, ensuring every cat finds love and safety at Homeless Kitty Haven!

Our Mission

The stray cat population in Little Haiti, Miami and its surrounding areas continues to grow at an alarming rate, leading to increased suffering for these animals due to starvation, disease, and exposure to harsh elements. Without intervention, many of these cats face a life of hardship, often resulting in premature death. The overpopulation issue also poses challenges for local wildlife and public health.Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary addresses this problem by providing a haven for these cats, offering medical care, spaying/neutering services, and ultimately, finding them forever homes. However, the cost of maintaining the sanctuary and caring for so many animals is significant. Up to now, we have relied on our income generated from the restaurant, however, this has taken a toll since the cost of goods have gone up tremendously. Now, we rely on donations and grants to continue our work and expand our reach.Join us in our mission to rescue homeless stray kitty cats from the bustling streets of Little Haiti in Miami, Florida, and offer them a cozy refuge on the AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT, also known as Homeless Kitty Haven at Casa Blanco in Key Largo, Florida!

Our Vision

The Homeless Kitty Project: An Innovative Solution for a Growing ProblemWe are excited to announce the relaunch of a community cornerstone in Little Haiti, Miami—an old coin laundry that has been closed for over four years. However, this is no ordinary reopening. The project comes with a bold, compassionate twist: it aims to tackle the growing homeless cat population in Little Haiti, Miami-Dade, and surrounding areas. Introducing The FAB Cat House Café & Coin Laundry—a unique fusion of community service, animal welfare, and local engagement.A Vision Led by PassionChef Frank Antonio Blanco, the acclaimed owner of Little Haiti’s top-rated private fine dining restaurant, House of Food Porn, is not only a culinary innovator but also an animal lover and advocate for spaying and neutering homeless cats. Since opening his restaurant in 2016, Chef Frank has getting involved with animal rescue efforts, personally feeding and assisting with spaying/neutering nearly 100 cats in the Little Haiti community. Now, Chef Frank is turning his long-held vision into reality, and we invite you to be a part of it.The FAB Cat House Café & Coin Laundry: More Than Just LaundryThis new space will not only provide laundry services but will serve as a haven for both humans and cats alike. The FAB Cat House Café & Coin Laundry will feature:Cat Café & Lounge: A cozy space for gatherings, meetings, and special events, with the possibility of participating in Art Basel and other cultural activities—catered by House of Food Porn, of course!Cat Adoption Center: Offering a chance for homeless cats to find loving forever homes.Spay & Neuter Program: A dedicated in-house facility to immediately address the cat overpopulation problem by providing spaying and neutering services.Recovery Isolation Chambers: For cats recovering from surgeries or other medical procedures.Improved Feeding Program: Including a marked golf cart to assist in the daily feeding of stray cats around the neighborhood.Cat Shop: Offering an array of cat and dog supplies for the community.
Incentivizing CompassionThe FAB Coin Laundry will offer a unique incentive to the community: for every cat spayed or neutered through our program, residents will receive a $15 Wash Card redeem for complimentary wash/dry cycles at our facility—creating a powerful link between community service and animal welfare.Looking to the FutureThis project is just the beginning. The Homeless Kitty Project is a model that we aim to replicate in other communities in need. Starting with Little Haiti, we believe that small steps, taken consistently, can lead to lasting change.How You Can HelpEven after the unsuccessful endeavor, we still have the hope of raising the $300K necessary to fully launch the vision of Community Program that will help to revitalize the community while keeping the stray cat population under control. Check out our Funding Proposal for Program Details.In the meantime, we invite you to join us in this groundbreaking endeavor. Your support will directly contribute to reducing the homeless cat population, improving community engagement, and creating a compassionate space where humans and animals can coexist harmoniously. Together, little by little, we can make a big difference.

Kitty Kat Slide Show

Homeless Kitty Gallery of Rescues

Our Funding Proposal

Fundraising Proposal for Charlie’s Kitty Kat SanctuaryCharlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary at Catsa Blanco Inc.
known as: Homeless Kitty Haven at Casa Blanco
AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT, Key Largo, Florida
Francisco Blanco: Founder/Director
www.HomelessKittyHaven.org
Tax ID: N24000001421
EIN: 99-1394912SUMMARY:
Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary, a 509(a)(2) & 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome homeless stray cats in Miami and surrounding areas. We currently care for over 30 cats in our dedicated sanctuary on the AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT at Casa Blanco, Key Largo, Florida, and provide food and medical care for an additional 50 outdoor cats. Our sanctuary offers these vulnerable animals a second chance at life, free from the dangers of the streets.We are seeking funding of $50,000.00 to support our ongoing efforts, which include daily care, medical treatment, spaying/neutering, and eventual adoption of our rescues. Your support will directly impact the lives of these animals, ensuring they receive the care and love they deserve while contributing to the larger goal of reducing the stray cat population in our community.BACKGROUND:
Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary was founded by Chef Franco Antonio in honor of Mr. Charles Marshall, a devoted animal lover. What began as a small effort to rescue local strays has grown into a full-fledged sanctuary, where we now house over 30 rescued cats and support the wellbeing of over 50 outdoor cats in our community. Our sanctuary operates out of the AQUASITA HOUSEBOAT, providing a unique and safe environment for these animals to recover, socialize, and thrive.Our organization is entirely volunteer-driven, with a dedicated team that handles everything from daily feeding and cleaning to medical care and adoption coordination. We work closely with local veterinarians, animal shelters, and community members to ensure each cat receives the best possible care.SITUATIONS:
The stray cat population in Little Haiti, Miami and its surrounding areas continues to grow at an alarming rate, leading to increased suffering for these animals due to starvation, disease, and exposure to harsh elements. Without intervention, many of these cats face a life of hardship, often resulting in premature death. The overpopulation issue also poses challenges for local wildlife and public health.Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary addresses this problem by providing a haven for these cats, offering medical care, spaying/neutering services, and ultimately, finding them forever homes. However, the cost of maintaining the sanctuary and caring for so many animals is significant. Up to now, we have relied on our income generated from the restaurant, however, this has taken a toll since the cost of goods have gone up tremendously. Now, we rely on donations and grants to continue our work and expand our reach.PROJECT:
Project Name: Sustaining and Expanding Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary
Project Duration: 12 monthsOBJECTIVES:
1. Provide Daily Care: Ensure that all 30+ resident cats and 50+ outdoor cats receive proper nutrition, shelter, and medical care.2. Medical Treatment: Continue to provide necessary vaccinations, treatments for illnesses, and spay/neuter services to reduce the stray cat population.3. Adoption Programs: Increase the number of cats rehomed by enhancing our adoption outreach efforts.4. Community Education: Educate the public/neighborhood on the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership to prevent further overpopulation.5. Community Involvement: Provide homes in the community with trapping crates for cats that comes with a $10 per cat trapped stipend. Paid, immediately once the cat has been retrieved from the neighborhood trapper.OPERATIONS:
- Daily Operations: Purchase food, litter, and other supplies; provide routine and emergency veterinary care.- Spay/Neuter Campaign: We have already partnered with local veterinarians along with Miami Dade Animal Services to spay/neuter all incoming rescues and outdoor cats within our care.- Adoption Outreach: Organize adoption events and enhance online adoption listings to find loving homes for our cats.- Community Workshops: Host workshops and distribute educational materials on the importance of spaying/neutering and proper pet care.Yearly Budget
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (USD)
| Food and Litter | $15,000
| Veterinary Care | $15,000
| Spay/Neuter Services | $5,000
| Shelter Maintenance | $10,000
| Adoption Program | $3,000
| Community Workshops | $2,000
| Total | $50,000OUTCOME:
With the requested funding, Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Provide continuous care for all resident and outdoor cats, ensuring no cat goes hungry or untreated.
- Spay/neuter at least 100 cats, significantly reducing the future stray population.
- Increase the number of cats adopted by 30%, resulting in more animals finding permanent, loving homes.
- Educate at least 500 community members on the importance of spaying/neutering and humane treatment of cats.EVALUATION:
We will track and measure our success through:
- Monthly reports on the number of cats fed, treated, and housed.
- Spay/neuter records to track progress in reducing the stray population.
- Adoption statistics, including the number of successful rehoming.
- Feedback from community members attending our educational workshops.
These metrics will be regularly reviewed and shared with grantors to demonstrate the impact of their support.SUSTAINABILITY:
Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary is committed to the long-term care and support of our rescued cats. In addition to this grant, we are actively pursuing additional funding through local fundraising events, partnerships with businesses, and ongoing donations from supporters. Our goal is to create a sustainable model that allows us to continue our work for years to come, with the potential to expand our efforts as resources allow.CONCLUSION:
All Funding will be instrumental in helping Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary continue our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray cats. Your support will directly impact the lives of these animals, providing them with the care and love they desperately need while helping to address the broader issue of stray cat overpopulation in our community.
We thank you for considering our proposal and look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to make a lasting difference in the lives of these animals.WITH JUST SIX (6) DONORS AT $50K PER DONOR, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REOPEN AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THE COIN LAUNDRY HOMELESS KITTY PROJECT.Franco Antonio Blanco
Founder/Director
Charlie’s Kitty Kat Sanctuary at Catsa Blanco, Inc.
www.HomelessKittyHaven.org

Get In Touch with Us

We’re always here for our furry friends! Whether you want to learn more about our mission or share a heartwarming story, drop us a message below. Don’t worry, our team at Homeless Kitty Haven will respond faster than a whisker’s twitch!

Thank You

Thank you for your support and for joining us in our mission to rescue and care for homeless kitties! Together, we’re making a real difference in their lives.