Pictured: Animal Rescue Coalition Inc. is one of 12 local nonprofit organizations supported by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County grants. Photo courtesy of ARC.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded 12 local nonprofit organizations through its annual Animal Welfare competitive grant cycle to promote the humane care of domestic, farm, wild and exotic animals across four counties. More than $196,000 will be awarded to support emergency veterinary treatment and capacity building for nonprofits that center on caring for animals with generous support from the Helen C. Schwieder Fund, the Robert Parker Fund, the Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund I, along with others. Awards this year reflect the diverse needs across animal welfare. Challenges are on the rise in both domestic and wild animal care, as factors ranging from environmental disasters to economic strain have impacted the health and humane care of animals of all types.

“Animals are an essential part of our ecosystem, and as their habitats are compromised, we must invest in organizations that can administer specialized care,” said Kirsten Russell, Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation. “That said, there is also emphasis placed on supporting shelters as they provide care for the growing number of domestic animals seeking forever homes.” The following organizations are supported by this year’s grant cycle:

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary Inc., a group that cares for animals in need by offering them a place to live out their lives in as natural a setting as possible; Save Our Seabirds Inc., an organization with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured wild birds while educating the community about preventing injuries and preserving habitats; Wildlife Center of Venice Inc. d/b/a The Paul A. and Veronica H. Gross Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, protecting and preserving Southwest Florida's native wildlife through educational outreach in Sarasota, Manatee, Lee and Charlotte Counties; Honor Sanctuary, Inc. d/b/a Honor Animal Rescue, saving the lives of homeless pets by changing the way our community views animal sheltering and shelter pets;  Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County Florida Inc., an advocate group for animal protection and welfare with a vision to achieve a community void of homeless animals; Animal Rescue Coalition Inc, providing affordable, accessible, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary services; Humane Society of Sarasota County Inc and Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, Inc., nonprofit, no-kill, animal rescue and shelter organizations that provide assistance and care for at-risk animals until forever homes can be found; Satchel’s Last Resort, Inc., a no-kill rescue based in Sarasota on 12 acres of land; Venice Cat Coalition, a group that helps control the community cat populations through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return and cat/kitten adoptions; Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, Inc., provides and delivers meals to Sarasotans who are homebound, mentally or physically disabled or elderly, and unable to prepare meals for themselves; St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice, Inc., whose mission is to rescue and care for homeless cats and kittens until we find them loving homes.

To learn more about Animal Welfare Grants or view available grant opportunities, visit www.cfsarasota.org/nonprofits/grants.

Pictured: Animal Rescue Coalition Inc. is one of 12 local nonprofit organizations supported by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County grants. Photo courtesy of ARC.