THE ANIMAL RESCUE COALITION (ARC) was founded in 1999 by Ira Barsky and Ed Sarbey when they brought together leaders from local animal welfare organizations as well as Sarasota County Animal Services to collaborate and develop a plan to end the killing of adoptable dogs and cats in the area.  The most significant aspect of this initiative has been the purchase of the ARC Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic in 2002 which, to date, has spayed and neutered nearly 24,000 dogs and cats, thereby substantially reducing pet overpopulation in our community. Countless generations of innocent puppies and kittens have been saved from entering a world with no homes for them. Despite significant progress, there is still much work to do.

All of ARC's programs, which are designed to reduce overpopulation, provide emergency veterinary care, and arrange fostering and adoptions, are facing increased demand for services, and more households than ever before now qualify for ARC's free and subsidized spay/neuter surgeries.  Animal Rescue Coalition continues to bring much needed public awareness to animal welfare organizations and strives for Sarasota and Manatee counties to become true no-kill communities. 

ARC specifically supports the following initiatives:

• Reducing pet overpopulation.
• Increasing adoptions.
• Promoting responsible pet guardianship.