In Memory of Bruce; in Honor of Liz

Elizabeth (Liz) Holbrook, has volunteered at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network for over 15 years. She has volunteered in every sense of the word and has never received a salary, often using her own funds to provide interim care. As well as helping animals on her own time, she has served a critical role in the rescuing and transportation of hundreds of thousands of animals over the many years of her involvement, never asking for reimbursement for gasoline or mileage. It is because of this that she has several rescue dogs. Liz, together with her soulmate of three decades, Bruce Brown, have rescued these dogs from over-populated kennels with plans for euthanasia, from the streets after being dumped, from neglected and abusive homes, and hoarding situations. Liz has been financially supported by Bruce for over 30 years, allowing her to volunteer full-time. As Liz does not have an income due to her dedication to rescue, Bruce’s financial contribution is essential to ensuring their ability to provide food and incessant medical care required for their dogs, of which many have special needs.

Due to tragic circumstances, Bruce suddenly and unexpectedly passed away the evening of September 10, 2019. His role in the community as husband, brother, brother-in-law, coach and neighbor will never be replaced as Bruce was very special. In addition to the heartbreaking cessation of true love, Liz now faces the stress of trying to find ways to continue supporting her rescue dogs. Liz, who owes tens of thousands of dollars in student debt, faces a $25,000 veterinary bill for chemotherapy treatment for one of their dogs, Spot, as well as other outstanding bills for the others.

Bruce’s remaining finances will not even begin to touch the debt that has been incurred. We worry that if she does not find adequate means to support her dogs, she will reallocate these sparse funds away from herself and towards her animals, or be forced to find homes for them all. She truly loves them more than anything. As she recently said, "My dogs are all that I have left."

It is because of this that my family has organized this fundraiser, as Liz is too humble to reach out. We are advocating for her to access the help she deserves and needs. It would break our hearts if Liz was forced to lose her dogs as a result of a lack of funds, after suffering the great loss of a partner who has been by her side for more than half her life. We are begging for help— as Liz has given so much of her life, finances, and energy to rescuing animals. She is truly deserving of everyone’s help in contributing to the rescuing of her own. She has literally risked her life to rescue the innocent. Her huge giving heart is shattered beyond words, so it is up to the communities she has served to reach out and help Liz in her time of need.

Thank you so much for listening and I hope you can help us raise the needed funds by sharing our story and contributing your donations. Bruce will be painfully missed by us all. May he rest in peace, and may Liz live in peace as well. Thank you