JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Animal Friend, a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing pet overpopulation, has proudly announced its 2023 grant recipients.
A total of $779,590 in grants will be awarded to municipal and nonprofit organizations in Florida, marking the largest amount ever granted in the organization’s 18-year history.
The funds will be used to support essential spay and neuter programs across the state.
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Florida Animal Friend is renowned for its distinctive Florida dog and cat license plate, the sales of which contribute to these vital grants. These grants, which provide up to $25,000 each, aim to bolster organizations offering free or low-cost spaying and neutering services for cats and dogs, they reducing the number of homeless animals and ultimately curbing euthanization rates.
In the first quarter of each year, municipal and nonprofit agencies are encouraged to submit funding proposals for spay/neuter projects in Florida. These proposals undergo a rigorous evaluation process, considering factors such as the organization’s ability to target key animal populations, increase surgery numbers, maintain a favorable cost-to-benefit ratio, demonstrate a solid track record, and ensure long-term sustainability.
The alarming statistics of pet overpopulation in the United States, with an estimated 6 to 8 million homeless cats and dogs and over 1 million being euthanized annually, emphasize the urgency of expanding access to free and low-cost spay and neuter programs.
The Florida Animal Friend grant program operates through the sale of a specialty license plate, available at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in all counties across the state.
Florida Animal Friend is delighted to award funding to the following organizations:
- ANIMAL RESCUE COALITION
- ANIMAL SHELTER FOUNDATION
- ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL
- CALOOSA HUMANE SOCIETY
- CLAY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
- COMMUNITY CATS OF BONITA SPRINGS
- FELINE FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
- FLAGLER HUMANE SOCIETY
- FLORIDA KEYS SPCA
- GULF SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE
- HALIFAX HUMANE SOCIETY
- HUMANE SOCIETY OF MANATEE COUNTY
- HUMANE SOCIETY OF MARION COUNTY
- HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE TREASURE COAST
- HUMANE SOCIETY OF VERO BEACH & INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
- IT’S MEOW OR NEVER FOR FERALS, INC.
- JACKSONVILLE ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
- JACKSONVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY
- KEY WEST CAT SOCIETY DBA VENICE CAT COALITION
- MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
- NASSAU HUMANE SOCIETY
- OSCEOLA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
- PARTNERS FOR PETS
- PASCO COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
- PAY TO SPAY, INC
- PEGGY ADAMS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF THE PALM BEACHES
- PET ALLIANCE OF GREATER ORLANDO
- PET PAL RESCUE, INC.
- PINELLAS COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
- POLK COUNTY BULLY PROJECT
- PURRR INC.
- RAPSCALLION TO THE RESCUE
- RESCUE PETS (CATS?) OF FLORIDA INC.
- SPCA FLORIDA
- SUWANNEE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION
- VOICES FOR CHANGE ANIMAL LEAGUE
- YOUCANMAKEADIFFERENCE.COM, INC.
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About Florida Animal Friend
Founded in 2005, Florida Animal Friend is on a mission to save countless lives of cats and dogs by supporting organizations that provide free or affordable spaying and neutering services throughout Florida. The organization strives to raise awareness of available programs for pet owners and homeless animals, with annual grants funded through the sales of the unique Florida Animal Friend license plate.
For further information about the organization or to purchase a license plate, please visit www.floridaanimalfriend.org and http://www.floridaanimalfriend.org.
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