A Forever Home Animal Rescue (AFHAR), located in Tavares, Florida, has lost its building lease and is desperate to find a new location and funding needed to continue operations as soon as possible. AFHAR has been in existence for 13 years, providing Central Florida with a sanctuary for abandoned, abused, and sick dogs, many coming from high-kill shelters, puppy mills, dog fighting rings, and abusive homes.
AFHAR's mission is to provide our dogs with a safe, caring, and healthy environment where they can be loved and provided health care services that will enable them to be adopted into new, loving homes. At any given time, AFHAR houses 30 to 60 dogs, including puppies, as well as shy, traumatized, and untamed dogs that require additional time for domestication. AFHAR also provides care to sick dogs that require veterinary care and time to heal.
AFHAR finds homes for 400 to 600 dogs yearly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AFHAR rehomed more dogs than ever to senior citizens looking for companionship during their lonely, isolated times. None of these dogs were returned after the pandemic ended. We have enjoyed NUMEROUS success stories via photos and social media posts. This warms our hearts to see these animals thriving in new, loving homes. As mentioned earlier, many of our dogs come from high-kill shelters throughout Florida and the southeast United States, where they would normally be euthanized. Dogs taken in from outside of Florida are flown into Apopka Airport by Alabama Puppy Rescue Flights and brought to our rescue. AFHAR gives these dogs a second chance at life. We also adopt dogs from homes where the elderly owners have passed away and there is no one to take care of them.
AFHAR is run by a small paid staff and several dedicated volunteers. The Rescue operates solely on donations which cover the rent, food needs, beds, linens, cleaning supplies, and medical care. One of our volunteers writes numerous financial grant requests to local and national organizations that support animal rescue efforts. Without these grants and donations, AFHAR could not exist.
We are looking to rent a space that is located in Lake County, preferably in Tavares or Mount Dora, as many of our employees, volunteers, and veterinary services are in the area. The space must be at least 3,000 square feet and air-conditioned. An outside area is required to walk the dogs, including a fenced-in area for showing the dogs to be adopted. AFHAR will work with the prospective landlord on these requirements. Ideally, and if enough funds are raised, AFHAR would love to purchase its own building on a nice piece of property where a fence can be built so the dogs can run and play. Having our own building will ensure that AFHAR and its many dogs are never displaced again. Relocating is very stressful on the dogs (and all involved).
Any donation is truly appreciated. We realize that property values and rents are increasing in this economy and finding new space is going to be difficult. We also realize that without the space, AFHAR will not continue to exist. AFHAR, being a 501(3)(c), is looking for any financial considerations, such as reduced rent, which a prospective landlord could use as a favorable tax incentive, while also providing a service to the community. If AFHAR finds new space, the dedicated staff and volunteers, with the help of our regular donors, could provide the means to continue AFHAR services, without interruption. We are hoping the power of prayer and the continued generosity of our community keeps AFHAR operational.
This Go-Fund-Me fundraiser has been started with the hope of providing AFHAR with the resources needed to start operations in a new location. Any corporate sponsorship is greatly appreciated. AFHAR will cease to exist after 12/31/2023 if new housing cannot be secured. AFHAR will have to stop accepting new dogs and focus on adopting out the currently housed animals at the existing facility starting in mid-September. No dogs will be abandoned or euthanized!
If you would like to donate by check, please mail it to AFHAR Inc., c/o L. Masters, 900 2nd Street, Clermont, Florida 34711.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me at [phone redacted] or
[email redacted].com. On behalf of the AFHAR staff, volunteers, and dogs, thank you for your consideration.
The Rescue has been saving dogs in need for more than a decade, but now AFHAR is the one that needs saving. Please rescue the Rescuers, God Bless, and Thank You!
Sincerely,
Lori Mastrantoni
President and Owner
A Forever Home Animal Rescue
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