Abandoned Pet Rescue

Want to join SAFCO in making a difference? We're raising money to benefit Abandoned Pet Rescue, and any donation will help make an impact. 

SAFCO will host “Paws For a Cause,” a virtual 5K (3.1 miles) race during the race period of December 11th through December 17th. Our team members can walk, run, use a treadmill, or even ride a bike to complete this event. 

For this special 5K, we are giving back to our community and raising funds for “Abandoned Pet Rescue” (APR), one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in  Florida.  Incorporated in 1996, over the past decade, APR has provided comprehensive care for 6,800 dogs and cats that have come through the shelter and have been placed in new homes, as well as for community cats that have been trapped, neutered and released.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to the South Florida community!

She walked right into the pool like it wasn’t there. When one year old, terrier mix, Brie, walked into the swimming pool, she might’ve drowned. Luckily, someone was there to pull her out. But, what it showed us was that this young, sweet dog with a full life ahead of her, couldn’t see.

Brie was an owner surrender to Abandoned Pet Rescue, and there was always something a bit off about her eyes. Dogs learn to compensate pretty well, but the pool incident led to a thorough evaluation of Brie’s eyes by a veterinary ophthalmologist, who diagnosed her with the rare disease called Microphthalmia. Affected dogs have smaller than normal eyes, which appear recessed in the socket, and this condition is often associated with other eye abnormalities. In Brie’s case, she also has juvenile cataracts and is completely blind in one eye and 50% blind in the other. Once you know this, you can see it in her tentative manner. As a terrier puppy, she should be bounding about, but Brie is cautious. Certain shapes frighten her and she’ll start shaking. But, despite her affliction, Brie is a very loving, trusting and sweet girl.

It’s very possible she will continue to go blind in that “good” eye. She was most probably born this way. Little Brie needs our help to have a chance to lead as normal and good a life as possible.

The good news is Brie is a good candidate for cataract surgery. She has an 85% chance of success to be able to see again. The bad news is that Abandoned Pet Rescue can’t afford Brie’s surgery without your help. Every dollar counts for Brie.

To operate on Brie’s blind eye, which is what we all feel is the best first step so as not to expose Brie’s “good” eye to the possible risks of this surgery, will cost up to $1,700.00. Brie will also need preliminary testing including complete blood work and a urinalysis prior to surgery. We are asking you to help us raise $2,000.00 as soon as possible so Brie can have her surgery and have a new lease on life in time for Christmas.

Please open your hearts and wallets for Brie. Finding a forever home for a blind young dog is going to be a tough order and Brie deserves the best we can give her. Her gift of sight would be the best present anyone could have. Thank you!