Barbara Schmidt, known for caring for a colony of cats near a Port Orange Walmart, has resumed her mission after an attorney helped lift a trespass order that had been placed against her. Schmidt had been feeding the cats and working to prevent the colony from growing for nearly six years when, on March 5, her routine was abruptly interrupted. After finishing her task of feeding the cats, Schmidt was surprised when Walmart security and police appeared and informed her she was trespassed from the property, preventing her from returning to feed the animals or even shop at the store.
Schmidt, 81, had a longstanding, positive relationship with the Walmart managers, and was caught off guard by the trespassing order. She had no indication that there were issues prior to the incident. Schmidt, in addition to feeding the cats, spent about $15,000 annually on food and worked diligently on a trap, neuter, and release program to manage the colony’s growth. She also sought to find homes for any cats that could become pets.
The incident stemmed from a situation where a mother cat and her kittens took refuge in Walmart’s garden center. Schmidt tried to remove the cats, but when an employee saw her, an altercation occurred, which led to the employee yelling at her. This was followed by another encounter in the parking lot, which Schmidt described as hostile. Despite these tensions, she had no formal complaints about the employees and had generally enjoyed good relations with the Walmart staff.
When Schmidt was banned, she did not publicize the incident on social media, but someone else did, which led to attorney Raquel Levy offering her assistance. Levy, who specializes in personal injury but also advocates for animal rights, took on Schmidt’s case pro bono. By March 27, Levy had successfully resolved the issue. Walmart apologized, lifted the trespass order, and pledged a $2,500 donation to a local animal charity, Paws and Tails.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed that the issue had been resolved, and praised Schmidt for her dedication to the animals. The spokesperson added that Schmidt would continue to care for the cats in an area away from the store’s entrances, which was part of the agreement. Levy noted the strong community support Schmidt received, with many people expressing their desire to help her continue caring for the cats. Levy, who sees her work as fighting for justice, expressed admiration for Schmidt’s commitment to the cats.
Upon her return, Schmidt was warmly received by Walmart employees, with one manager even crying upon seeing her again. Schmidt expressed deep gratitude for Levy’s support, acknowledging that without her help, the cats would have gone hungry.
While Schmidt was unable to tend to the cats during her ban, others stepped in to help. Cindy Nour, who also manages a cat colony in Daytona Beach Shores, provided food to the Port Orange cats. Nour, who practices trap, neuter, and release, found it troubling that the animals, accustomed to regular feeding, were left without food. She later assisted Schmidt in cleaning the area around the brush where the cats live, which had been used by homeless people and contained drug paraphernalia.
Schmidt, who continues to care for the cats daily, emphasized the importance of keeping the animals out of sight and away from danger. Some of the cats have been part of the colony for over a decade, and Schmidt knows each one personally. Despite her efforts to control the population, new cats keep arriving, and the challenge of managing the colony remains an ongoing task. Schmidt is dedicated to her role as the cats’ caregiver, saying they know who she is and depend on her.
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