 The Animal Rescue Coalition began in 1999 when
leaders from all the Sarasota County animal welfare organizations and Sarasota County
Animal Services agreed to begin an intensive collaborative process to develop a plan to
stop the killing of approximately 6,000 adoptable homeless dogs and cats yearly. On
February 28, 2001, ten animal welfare organizations formally approved and agreed to
actively support The Animal Rescue Coalition Initiative. This document includes a concrete
plan, useful as a model for other grassroots efforts across the country to eliminate pet
overpopulation, increase adoptions from animal welfare organizations and promote
responsible pet guardianship.  In
2000
The Animal Rescue Coalition brought unprecedented local media attention to animal
welfare agencies by coordinating a media campaign which highlighted National Pet
Adoptathon, Sarasota County National Homeless Animals' Day, the first annual Sarasota Take
Your Dog to Work Day, the rescue of 123 cats from a private residence and the plight of a
local animal welfare organization that received 180 homeless animals in just one week's
time.
Facilitated and managed six committees with professionals from legal, medical, county
government, veterinary, human services and animal welfare disciplines focused on specific
solutions to the killing of adoptable animals.
Developed a comprehensive plan to lead Sarasota County to end the killing of adoptable
dogs and cats. |