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GOOD NEWSTHE NEWSLETTER OF ANIMAL RESCUE COALITION SPRING 2024

Dear Friends of ARC,We are thrilled to announce that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of ARC! Back in 1999, a crisis unfolded in Florida shelters, where thousands of dogs and cats were euthanized daily. Two Sarasota businessmen took action to change this reality. They united leaders from local animal welfare groups and Sarasota County Animal Services to find a solution to the crisis. Through collaboration, they promoted spaying and neutering services at affordable rates to pet families and rescue organizations, thus launching Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC).Thanks to your generous donations and unwavering support, ARC’s veterinary team has performed over 100,000 spay/neuter surgeries, alleviating shelter overcrowding and helping to prevent the unnecessary killing of animals in Florida. We have also administered low-cost vaccines to thousands of animals, protecting them from diseases like rabies and heartworm. Every day, families, rescues, and community cat trappers express their gratitude for ARC’s affordable rates, acknowledging that without ARC, many animals would not have received essential veterinary care.Our mission creates a tangible impact in 22 Florida counties. Your support has been crucial in sustaining our initiatives and enabling us to introduce innovative programs to cater to community needs. For example, our “Lend A Paw” program, launched last year, has subsidized numerous surgeries for families living at poverty levels. Looking ahead, we are optimistic and determined to achieve more milestones. In 2023 alone, 5,706 animals were spayed and neutered at ARC. However, we acknowledge that challenges such as the rising cost of pharmaceuticals and the shortage of veterinary staff can only be overcome with your ongoing partnership. Your belief in our cause strengthens our determination, and your generosity paves the way for our success. Together, we can continue saving animal lives.With Gratitude,Laura McCannExecutive DirectorNEW BOARD MEMBERMELISSA MESERVEWe are thrilled to announce Melissa Meserve as the newest member of our board. Bringing a love of animals, depth of professional experience and a deep commitment to community involvement, Melissa is poised to make a significant impact in her new role.A native of Madison, New Jersey, Melissa has called many places home, including New York City and Marblehead, Massachusetts. She settled in Sarasota in July of 2021, where she lives with her two Labradoodles, Tally Louise and Watson, and cat Ruby.Professionally, Melissa serves as the VP and Head of US Programs Business Development at AIG, where she has dedicated over 30 years. Melissa is also deeply engaged in local initiatives. Her passion for serving the community is evident through her involvement with ARC Board service, Impact100 SRQ, and the Sarasota Newcomers Club. Melissa also finds time for personal interests, enjoying activities such as Pilates, yoga, kayaking, and honing her skills on the golf course.We eagerly anticipate the fresh perspectives and dedicated service Melissa will bring to ARC.1 | ARC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR87% OF ARC CLIENTS SAY THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPAY/NEUTER THEIR PETS WITHOUT ARC’S AFFORDABLE RATES.

ARC’S NEW MEDICAL DIRECTORDR. ROBERT WEEDON, DVM, MPHDr. Robert Weedon is an experienced high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) veterinarian. ARC retained him as a consultant to evaluate our clinic flow, and he enjoyed working with our team so much that he decided to move to Sarasota full-time and take on the Medical Director role at ARC!Weedon received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Purdue University and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Before moving to Florida, he worked as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where he trained students in shelter medicine and HQHVSN techniques.Earlier in his career, Weedon spent 28 years in private practice at a small animal clinic. He also worked as a veterinary outreach coordinator for the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and as the lead shelter veterinarian at Champaign County Humane Society. A long-time advocate for solving pet overpopulation, Weedon serves on the board of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs. He recently joined a United Spay Alliance task force that is focused on alleviating the shortage of HQHVSN veterinarians and modifying state practice acts to allow veterinarians licensed in one state to practice in another. Welcome to ARC, Dr. Bob!ARCSRQ.ORG | 2FLORIDA ANIMAL FRIEND— In August of 2023, ARC received a significant grant from Florida Animal Friend (FAF), an agency which provides grants up to $25,000 for dozens of Florida nonprofit animal organizations that work to end animal homelessness. The agency is especially supportive of low- to no-cost spay/neuter shelters and clinics. The money used to fund the grants comes from donations and proceeds from the sale of specialty “Spay/Neuter” license plates. For every specialty plate sold, FAF receives $25 from the state of Florida. The 2023 grant from FAF was used by ARC to fund spay/neuter surgeries for residents of DeSoto and Charlotte counties. These two counties do not provide subsidies for animal welfare for families on government assistance. As a result of this grant, over 62 dogs and cats received free spay/neuter surgeries and 31 received discounted rabies vaccines. The grant money was exhausted in March. BISHOP PARKER— The Bishop Parker Foundation (Bishop SPCA) supports animal welfare projects in our community. Founded by Lillian and Edward Bishop along with Mary Parker, the Foundation continues the legacy of its founders, who loved animals of all species. In 2023, the Foundation awarded a very generous grant to fund ARC’s capacity. The grant has allowed us to hire quality staff and veterinarians who are essential to high volume capacity. As a result, ARC has had the resources to perform 5,706 surgeries in 2023! Thank you Bishop Parker Foundation SPCA!GRANT UPDATES

ALL ABOARD FOR ANIMALS is the primary fundraising event hosted by ARC each year at the Sarasota Yacht Club. This event plays a crucial role in raising donations to support ARC’s services. Donors fund 57% of the services provided by ARC, making this event essential for the organization’s operations.

THANK YOUSAVE THE DATE!VENDORSPRESENTING SPONSORSDAVID & JOANNA PACE BRACKETTWALTER & BARBARA CAREYJIM & NANCY TRIVISONNOLOU & ANN MARIE MARINACCIOLESLIE & JOE GRABOWSKI THE BENDERSON FAMILY FOUNDATIONNORA DUFFY & JEANNE WAGONERIRA & LEE BARSKY MITCHELL & DAWN EPSTEINMICHAEL KNEELAND & ROXZENE HUNTERTHE RON MORRIS FOUNDATIONPHIL KALTENBACHER & FAMILY CAPTAIN SPONSORSMICHAEL & KRISTIN GOLDBERGKARIN & NELS GUSTAFSONPAUL & CARINA BOWMANFIRST MATE SPONSORS JEFF & JAN MEISSNERSKIP & GAIL SACKNAVIGATOR SPONSORSJEAN MARTINTHE CALLIGAN FAMILY FOUNDATIONPAUL AHERN FOUNDATIONCHRIS AND PAM JONESNAVIGATOR SPONSORSTHE TILLIE JENNIE &HAROLD SCHWARTZ FOUNDATIONJAMES VAN EYCKSKINSMART DERMATOLOGYRICK AND MICHELE TROMBLEMARIE AND BOB DESANTISPEGGY ALLEN & STEVE DIXONCATALYST REALTYSATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025ALL ABOARD FOR ANIMALS AT THE SARASOTA YACHT CLUB 2024 ALL ABOARD FOR ANIMALS SPONSORS!DJ MIKETASTICSTEEL DRUMMER DAVID LAPIOVICKIE LUNA THE PET PSYCHICSUNNY DAYS ICE CREAMFLOWERS BY FUDGIEBRITTNEY CAMANTIGUE CREATIVEARCSRQ.ORG | 4

Did you know that one unxed female cat can have more than 100 kittens in her lifetime, and assuming that half of those kittens born are females, she and her offspring can go on to have upwards of 300-400 kittens in 7 years. 5 | ARC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024Multiply this by the hundreds of community cats in the area, and that number grows exponentially. The fact of the matter is that there are not enough homes to care for all of the kittens born each year, which is why we want you to know how you can help prevent unwanted litters. First, spay/neuter your pets! ARC’s rates for a cat spay/neuter surgery range from $85-$120. If you have a family income of under $75,000, a male cat neuter is $85. A female cat spay is $100. Often there are grants available which can further defray the cost. For Manatee County residents, families on government assistance are eligible for a free surgery. Sarasota County subsidizes spay/neuter surgeries for families on assistance. The rate is $25 for all animals. You can help assist with efforts to control cat overpopulation by supporting TNVR programs! TNVR stands for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release. Dozens of volunteers all over our community find colonies of unfixed outdoor cats and work with local vets and clinics to perform low-cost spays and neuters, treat and vaccinate, and release the pets back into their colonies where they are happiest. ARC dedicates four appointments a day, plus an occasional full day of surgeries for feral cats. In 2022, ARC altered and vaccinated over 1,000 feral cats, followed by a close second in 2023 of 856. Four months into 2024, 156 ferals have come through ARC’s TNVR program. All of these surgeries have been subsidized by ARC donations and grants. Beware of accidental KITTENnapping! Mother cats move their kittens frequently in order to keep them safe. When kittens are very young, their best chance of survival is with mom. If you find kittens alone, give them some space and wait awhile. Mom may be in the process of moving the litter, searching for food, or she may be hiding from you. If the kittens are in unsafe places like parking lots, drainage ditches, or under vehicles, or mom hasn’t returned after several hours, make sure they’re warm, and then reach out to your local shelter or rescue group for help. FOUR MONTHS INTO 2024, 156 FERALS HAVE COME THROUGH ARC’S TNVR PROGRAMCommunity Cats

Community Cats VVVVVVVV

County shelters, unlike private rescue groups, cannot decline an animal that is surrendered to them. As a result, kennels fill up quickly. Thankfully, shelters often transfer animals to rescue organizations, which spay/neuter them, and ready them for adoption. ARC’s Ready Set Rescue! program helps to alleviate euthanasia at county shelters by providing free surgery and vaccinations for animals transferred from county shelters by rescue organizations. The rescues are therefore incentivized to prioritize shelter animals for adoption. Since 2020, over 1800 animals have been transferred from 22 Florida counties.These dogs and cats all received free surgeries and wellness services and were adopted into loving families. The impact of this program has been tremendous. We thank the ARC donors and grantors who have generously supported this program.As of January 1, 2024, the RSR program was limited to 6 counties – Sarasota, DeSoto, Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades, and St. Lucie. The determination for participating counties was based on the Best Friends Animal Society (BF) database for their No-Kill 2025 Program and the availability of low-cost spay/neuter clinics and veterinary practices in other counties. Thank you to our rescue partners who continue to participate in our RSR program. ARC looks forward to continuing to serve as an affordable resource for spay/neuter surgeries for rescued animals.READY SET RESCUE!7 | ARC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024HUMANE SOCIETY AT LAKEWOOD RANCH (HSLWR) is one of the 55 rescue partners which utilize ARC’s Ready Set Rescue! program. Matcha, Tulip and Cruella were abandoned strays picked up off the streets by Sarasota County Animal Services (SCAS). HSLWR transferred these pups into their adoption program, freeing up SCAS kennels for other dogs. We are happy to announce that the pups have all found forever homes! Cruella even got a bonus sibling when her new dad Dennis adopted a cat from HSLWR as well. These heartwarming stories of Matcha, Tulip and Cruella (and Gigi the cat) showcase the power of collaboration between a high-volume spay/neuter clinic and a rescue group!Neil and Ginny with their new family member Matcha.Dennis with Cruella and her bonus sibling Gigi the cat!Joe and Tulip playing fetch before heading home

MORE HSLWR READY SET RESCUE! PETSPEPPERSTARLINGNOODLESCHEXTo learn more about our Ready Set Rescue! program and our other rescue partnersplease visit us online at arcsrq.org/programsARCSRQ.ORG | 8

VOLUNTEERSVolunteering at ARC isn’t just about lending a hand; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them.Volunteers play an indispensable role in the daily operations of ARC. From the cleaning of animal areas to the folding of laundry, these tasks, though seemingly simple, are vital to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for the animals. Furthermore, volunteers assist with client check-in and discharge, providing a smooth and efficient process for both the animals and their human companions. Reception duties, including returning phone calls and emails, ensure that ARC maintains open and effective communication with the community, facilitating quicker responses to those in need and ensuring the organization’s operations run smoothly. You can apply to volunteer at: arcsrq.org/get-involvedLESLIE GRABOWSKI ARC Volunteer Leslie Grabowski has dedicated her life to helping homeless animals. In 2016, she and her husband Joe, a retired engineer, moved to Sarasota with three adopted poodles. Two of those poodles have since gone to the Rainbow Bridge, and they welcomed two new adopted poodle mixes into their home. A retired Neonatal ICU registered nurse, Leslie is also an accomplished writer, with previous experience contributing to online newspapers. She is a registered artist with HeARTs Speak, a nonprofit that supports animal welfare organizations through creative initiatives. Although Leslie has been involved in rescue work since 2001, she began volunteering for ARC in 2022. Leslie’s writing expertise is a valuable asset for creating social media content, and her keen editing skills are highly appreciated. Apart from her volunteer duties at ARC, Leslie finds joy in writing, reading, and sailing with Joe on Sarasota Bay. Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of a nonprofit, and we are thankful for the time Leslie devotes to ARC and her unwavering dedication to helping animals.9 | ARC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESReception AssistAncepRepARing Kennel cARdsAssembling suRgicAl pAcKs Assisting with FeRAl cAt suRgeRy dAyspAtient checK-inARCSRQ.ORG | 10

1,629 ANIMALS SPAYED/NEUTERED1,473 NON-SURGICAL VETERINARY SERVICES, INCLUDING VACCINES, MICROCHIPS, AND HEARTWORM TESTS NUMBERS AT-A-GLANCEFROM JANUARY– APRIL 2024 The Giving Challenge may be over but it’s never too late toDonate!Your donations mean ARC can continue its mission of benefiting animals and the people who love them by providing access to affordable, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary services.April was Heartworm Awareness Month! Get your pet protected with ARC’s ProHeart & Bravecto combo for dogs! This combo protects from heartworms, eas and ticks for 12 months with just one injection and 4 tasty chews. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT: ARCSRQ.ORG