Hope Gold has always been an avid lover of cats long before she founded Castaways Animal Rescue Effort, Inc. (C.A.R.E.). “Cats tend to represent a part of my personality. They are independent, loyal, and they provide unconditional love. It broke my heart to see them suffering on the street.”

Hope took in a foster kitten for a friend, but she wanted to do more. In 2009 she trapped her first feral cat, an injured tabby who appeared in her neighborhood. She named him Mr. Orange, caught him in a trap, and brought him to receive medical care. Veterinarians found gunshot wounds in his body. Hope took Mr. Orange into her home, nurtured him back to health, and her passion for rescue was born.

Hope realized she had a special talent for trapping cats. “I know how to think like a cat. I communicate with them, and they trust me.” She utilizes a range of equipment to ensure success when trapping. “It’s important to understand which tools to use for the situation,” she says. Drop traps can be used for targeted trapping and multiple cats, while a set over trap is a better option for injured or sick cats.

Working as a probate paralegal, Hope frequently worked on cases where owners had passed away without arranging for the care of their pets. Deciding she could make a difference, Hope began to devote herself to finding new homes for these “castaway” animals.

Castaways Animal Rescue Effort, Inc. (C.A.R.E.) was founded by Hope Gold in 2015, and received its 501(c)(3) designation in 2020, enabling the organization to receive grants and donations to help more animals.

“My long-term vision for C.A.R.E. is to have a free-standing adoption and medical facility,” she says. Until then, CARE is partnered with the Florida Humane Society, a private adoption facility in Pompano Beach providing community education, spay/neuter programs, and a disaster preparedness team.

Hope has also worked with her employers to implement pet trusts for elderly or dying pet owners, to ensure their beloved animals are cared for when the owner is no longer able to.