Meet Gina Stefanides

Nominated by Charles Saltzman.

Gina Stefanides is the founder and inspiration behind Feline Rescue, the only organized animal rescue group in Broward County, Fla., whose primary mission is practicing trap/neuter/return (TNR). Gina began trapping and fixing cats in 1997, and organized Feline Rescue in 1999. Since then, she and the group have been responsible for the sterilization of over 3,800 cats. Every cat is tested for FELv/FIV, vaccinated, altered and released only when it is 100 percent ready to resume its normal life. Currently, 13 colonies are maintained with a total of more than 300 cats, and we have been kitten-free for over three years. While other dedicated volunteers feed the existing colonies, Gina is out almost every night working the harder mission, trapping new areas. She has encountered numerous obstacles and without fail the biggest problems are people oriented. There's nothing like being in the 'Hood at night, coexisting with the local recreational pharmaceutical salesmen. She has staked out her positions in concert with them and they have since come to give her the space she needs. Even the sheriff's department and SWAT teams have learned to leave her be when they come through on their periodic sweeps. If there are others in this country more deserving, then we're a lot closer to solving the problems to which Gina has dedicated her life.