We live in what is known as the "Panhandle" of Florida, also known for high kill rates in local shelters and overpopulation of animals. It's sad, yet things are looking up all the time.
In 2017, our organization formed to reduce intake at local animal shelters by getting animals the vetting they needed to be happy, healthy, and in their homes. We also knew getting the dogs and cats sterilized (spayed/neutered) was vital. The resources just aren't as easy as the thought.
That next year we advocates for immediate change and began work on the breed discrimination policies for dogs, the high return to owner rates for impounded animals, and the killing of cats deemed "feral" on intake. In 2018, the shelter animals suffered their highest month of death with over 80% of animals being killed for being born. That was also the last.
The next two years we work tirelessly, with the cohesive minds of our shelter friends, to end the breed bans, start TNR programs, and open eyes in our community by being transparent. In 2020, the last animal was killed just for showing up pregnant.
Those changes have empowered the community to step into roles which creates a foster program, trap/neuter/return groups, and transportation services to get animals over 2 hours away to be spayed/neutered. We have hosted one of these trips for the past 5 years and sterilized over 6,000 cats and dogs.
In 2019 we signed off as owners of a piece of property located in Milton, Florida because we knew we had another mission ahead of us....a high volume low cost clinic for affordable spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchips.
We were plowing ahead with the county surveys, a pre fabricated building company ready to drive the structure here, and even a donor who offered to pay for it all.
As if hurricane Michael wasn't enough for our area, COVID hit next, followed by hurricane Sally. This collectively took our inventory away and increased the prices DRAMATICALLY. On top of this, the company we secured for the building had to shut down and, the biggest blow.....our donor backed out.
We have decreased the building size, removed the rooms we dedicated to continuing our current pet food pantry, and changed to a less expensive metal building. But we know with the stocks wavering and the shortages present, this is a hard sell for most to give to.
This is our way of begging the community to understand we do not want to move backwards. We want to continue to plow forward and prove that we can continue to lead change by saving so many animals lives.
Our local animal shelter now SAVES 93% of the animal lives meanwhile the intake is already so much lower. The only way to sustain such a Lifesaving commitment from our community is to open a facility dedicated to the long term health and prevention of unwanted offspring.
During COVID we witnessed what our area would look like without any veterinary office open. It was tragic. Maggots, stomped on kittens, inbreeding defects, and other horrible illnesses were witnessed by our animal rescue team. We were stretched thin to do even more, with even less.
This is why we continue to drive to our nearest affordable spay/neuter clinic, over 100 miles away, every other week to help 200 animals each month in our community. This is why we advocate every day for these lives.
Now, we are turning to you. Animals are our family members and we cherish them enough to celebrate birthdays with them and set wheels in motion to have them cared for after we're long gone. We're the PEOPLE people who want to celebrate our neighbors by helping care for their pets.
We want YOU to be more than a resource or a rescue.
We want you to be their hero.
Thank you for being here when I need you most.
Love, The Future
**These funds will cover the cost of the driveway, foundation, site clearing, grading, and waste management system. We've applied for many grants yet they will not cover the cost of the "dirt work". They want to invest in the tangible building items. We understand and are trying other routes for this part of the project. **
You can make a difference by donating today to A HOPE, Inc.
Mission statement: To educate our community on responsible ownership of companion animals and proper care for community cats by providing access to affordable sterilization/vaccine services, rescue support and community outreach programs, leading to the prevention of unnecessary euthanasia
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