Community Corner

Nonprofit Spotlight: Lost Angels Animal Rescue

Each week, we feature a different nonprofit organization

This week's nonprofit spotlight is on Lost Angels Animal Rescue, which aims to help unwanted animals.

Patch recently talked to Jacquelin Wester of Lost Angels Animal Rescue about how the community can get involved and how the organization began.

Patch: What is the purpose or mission of the organization?

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Wester: Lost Angels Animal Rescue, Inc. in Tampa, Florida is a local no-kill animal rescue that is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of unwanted animals.  Our primary mission is to rescue as many dogs as possible who have been abandoned by their owners or taken to a shelter that does not yet support the no-kill philosophy. For many years, Lost Angels has been at the forefront of establishing and supporting a no-kill philosophy among the many animal rescues in the Tampa Bay Area.  

Patch: Who founded it and what year?

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Wester: Lost Angels was founded in 2003 by experienced and dedicated animal rescuers Desiree Guillen and Kelly Wilson who continue today to operate the organization.  The group is comprised of all volunteers, leaving 100 percent of donations received to go directly to the support of the animals in our care.

Patch: What are some activities that the organization has been involved in around Tampa Bay? Are those primary fundraisers for the nonprofit?

Wester: We are heavily involved in many different activities throughout Tampa and the surrounding areas.  Since our inception in 2003, we have held weekly adoption events each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Petco in Carrollwood located on the corner of north Dale Mabry and Fletcher Avenue. This is when the general public can come out to “meet and greet” our available dogs and apply to adopt. 

Another huge adoption event that we have always attended is held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It's called the Pet Adoption Expo, which on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

We receive no state, local or federal funding so private donations are our life line to saving these animals.  We are able to hold several different fundraisers during the year with the generosity of local businesses that support our mission.  Our most popular events are called Yappy Hours, where a small entrance fee is requested and our guests enjoy great food and wine that has been graciously donated by Tampa businesses. 

To learn more about upcoming events and how you can help our Angels, please visit our Facebook events page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/LostAngelsAnimalRescueInc?sk=events.

Patch: Why is the organization important for communities such as Carrollwood and Northdale?

Wester: We, as a community, are all experiencing difficult times right now, but none more so than our domestic companions. Traditional shelters are over burdened with animals, and unfortunately, they are being euthanized at staggering rates just to make room for the next influx to arrive. 

Private no-kill rescues such as Lost Angels can provide a safe haven for a dog until a permanent home can be found, but we are limited by space and funding.  These animals must receive proper vetting such as vaccines, heartworm and fecal tests, spay/neutering and micro chipping which are just the basics.  Many require additional treatment for such things as eye, ear and skin infections, grooming and in some cases surgery to repair broken bones.  Some require time to be rehabilitated from the neglect and abuse endured from their time spent on the streets or by the hands of humans. Others just need to be picked up off their feet and held tightly so they know that they are safe.

Patch: How can the community get involved if they want to donate or volunteer?

Wester: Donations can be made online at: http://www.lostangelsanimalrescue.org/Donate.html, or visit us in person at the Carrollwood on a Saturday. 

We are always desperately seeking new foster homes so that another Angel can be saved.  If you are interested in fostering or volunteering in some other way, please contact us at lostangelsanimalrescuefl@gmail.com.


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