We’re In This Together

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many of our lives in so many ways. Loss, financial hardship and illness/fear of illness are experiences being felt across our nation, in homes and businesses. At Suncoast Animal League, we have been affected also. But through it all, we have continued acting on the commitment we made more than 13 years ago to helping animals.

Although we have been closed to the general public, we have managed to operate behind the scenes with limited staff, volunteers and resources. We have continued taking in cats, dogs and wildlife. We have helped them heal. We have found them new forever homes, or in the case of wildlife, released them back to the wild. We have continued working hard to save lives and help our community.

The one thing we have not been able to continue doing are fundraising events. Since March 14th, nine Suncoast Animal League fundraisers have been cancelled. Plus, our thrift shop has been closed. All in all, the fundraising cancellations and closing of our shop have cost Suncoast Animal League more than $52,000 in lost revenue.

In the meantime, the vet bills keep coming. In March and April, we have spent $40,324 in medical care for our shelter animals. We are now at a $92,324 loss since March with the end nowhere in sight. We do not receive government funding and have not been able to secure a PPP loan. With fundraising efforts at a complete standstill, we are relying entirely on individual and business donations.

Now consider the actual animals. Little Hugo, with his x-rays, MRI, spinal tap and other medical procedures, has totaled over $4,500. Beagle mix Maddie had a $2,200 surgery to repair a damaged hip, likely from being hit by a car. Whisper, a 7-year-old dog we received from the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, cost us $850 at an eye specialist in an attempt to correct her near-blindness. Every animal has a story AND a medical bill.

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This Tuesday May 5th, Suncoast Animal League will be participating in Giving Tuesday Now. Our goal on this Giving Tuesday Now is $30,000. We hope to raise this amount between the hours of 8:00am until midnight. And we need YOUR HELP. You can provide much-needed support by making a donation via this Go Fund Me page.

And to sweeten the deal, there will be a $10,000 match by a very generous anonymous donor if we can raise the first $10,000 between the hours of 8am-6pm! Our very generous donor has also added a fun twist. If we raise the $10,000 between 8am-6pm, Executive Director, Rick Chaboudy will have his head shaved and nails painted by dog groomer Clint Wilson at Island Dog Outfitters on Clearwater Beach live on Facebook at 6pm. It's a win-win situation! The animals win and Rick gets a much-needed haircut.

You can help make that happen by making a donation via this page.

It doesn't matter whether it's a hurricane, tornado, flooding, or COVID-19, when animals need us, they need us and we want to always be there to take care of their needs. Thank you and remember, we will get through this together!

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Special thanks to our Giving Tuesday Now business supporters:

- WDUV - The Dove 105.5

- East Lake Pinch A Penny

- Hungry Howies of Florida

- Walmart #3415

- Island Dog Outfitters

- Dobies Funeral Homes & Crematory

Suncoast Animal League

Fundraising Campaigns

Giving Tuesday - May 5, 2020

#TeamDenali

Kathryn OBrien

Samantha Billings

Victoria Ride4Rescue

Kara Sirois

Team Aiden Loves The Honey Pot!!!

Cheri Cooper

Multiple Teams Campaigns

12th Annual Dogtoberfest Pledge Drive

11th Annual Dogtoberfest Pledge Drive

Cisco's Circus; a Ride 4 Rescue benefiting Suncoast Animal…