A new nonprofit is helping bridge the gap between citizens and city services, tackling Corpus Christi’s stray problem through education

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A new nonprofit is stepping in to help address the city’s growing stray animal problem — and it’s doing it through education, outreach, and community partnerships.

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“Dreaming of Furever” officially became a nonprofit organization in April. The rescue works closely with Animal Care Services and People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) to reduce the number of stray animals on city streets. But founder and executive director Cati Tovar said their approach focuses more on prevention than enforcement.

“The city is enforcement. That is their primary job — enforcement and public safety,” Tovar said. “Rescues are in the middle. You’re trying to help that flow of animals before they get there, and you’re also trying to decrease the flow.”

The organization hosts education events and promotes low-cost spay and neuter services, helping residents understand how to manage stray populations responsibly.

“They let us know we have a whole colony of cats and they just keep reproducing,” Tovar said. “We talk to them about the importance of our TNVR program. We go out there, teach them how to set up traps, and how to keep these cats safely overnight.”

Marketing director Erica Valadez said affordability is a major barrier for many pet owners.

“I was once in that position where I wanted to spay and neuter my animals and couldn’t afford it,” Valadez said. “It’s important to watch social media and call these places to see when these grants are available.”

Volunteers like photographer Linda Gibeaut lend their talents to help the animals stand out to potential adopters — using her lens to capture their personalities and raise their chances of finding forever homes.

“You can’t pick up every animal you see, and it just breaks your heart,” Gibeaut said. “So that’s where rescues are trying to fill the gap between the citizens and the city.”

With a mission rooted in compassion and education, “Dreaming of Furever” is working to make a lasting impact — one pet at a time. If you’d like to help, check out their Facebook page here.