How Caboodle Ranch Changed Nanette Entriken’s Life, Part I

The Caboodle Ranch experience changed Nanette Entriken’s life forever.

Nanette is a lovely woman, whose passion for cats has changed her life. She made her first visit to Caboodle Ranch in 2007.

After observing the excellent care the cats received and feeling the devotion they were given at the 30 acre no-kill sanctuary in Lee, Florida, she fell in love with the Ranch. This is Nanette’s story; one that is both inspirational and presently heartbreaking, due to an ongoing animal cruelty case at Caboodle Ranch.

How Nanette’s Caboodle Ranch Journey Began

After a close friend of Nanette’s passed away, she was desperate to find homes for 30 cats. Since her friend’s son had threatened to kill them all, she started an extensive search to find them a safe and caring home. This task seemed overwhelming to her since placing 30 cats is quite a challenge.

Fortunately a friend living in the Jacksonville area, close to Lee, informed her about Caboodle Ranch. She immediately made arrangements to visit the Ranch, with which she was greatly impressed. After Craig Grant, the owner of the facility heard her story, she was greatly relieved when he extended a helping hand and offered these cats a safe, forever home.

Getting the cats to Caboodle Ranch was not an easy task. It took Nanette five separate trips from her home in North Carolina to transport all the kitties to their new location. Once settled in, the cats were delighted with the sunshine, the fresh air, romping on the grass and the good food and gentle love Craig showered upon them.

Shortly thereafter Nanette made a life-changing decision to become a Caboodle Ranch volunteer, a role in which she continued for the next four years.  She was kept very busy working with the staff and the compliment of volunteers.

Along with helping to feed, care and tend to the Caboodle’s feline residents, she and her husband built all the enchanting mini-buildings, which added the unique charm which transformed Caboodle Ranch into a small cat-town. Finally, in 2011, Nanette was hired on staff as part of the Caboodle ranch team. As Craig’s assistant, she updated the Caboodle website and blog, and responded to all Ranch inquiries. Once a month she traveled to the sanctuary to help take care of the cats.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens

After five years of driving from North Carolina to Caboodle, following an amicable separation from her husband, Nanette decided to make a fresh start.

She followed her bliss by relocating to Florida with her own cats. She was excited upon her arrival, knowing she would be taking care of the Caboodle kitties she had grown to cherish. Little did she know that the wonderful dream would soon turn into a nightmare.

To be continued . . .

Turning one’s life around take courage and conviction, don’t you agree? Share your thoughts in a comment.