Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the family? How about something cute, cuddly and full of unconditional love?
S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue is holding a holiday pet adoption event on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Pet Supermarket, located at 880 A1A North in Ponte Vedra Beach. S.A.F.E.’s mobile van will be there with a load of adoptable pets looking for a forever home. The event will feature live music, a holiday bake sale and Santa will also be on hand to take photos with pets from noon to 2 p.m.
“These adoption events help to give the dogs and cats exposure outside of the shelter settings,” said S.A.F.E. volunteer Jean Gleason, who focuses on events in the Ponte Vedra area. “People who might otherwise not visit our S.A.F.E. shelters come to visit the mobile van to see the dogs in their own communities. These events help to get dogs adopted, and also give S.A.F.E. exposure and let people know who we are and what we do. S.A.F.E. awareness is so important as many here in Ponte Vedra are not familiar with the amazing tireless work that S.A.F.E. does in finding homes for the homeless dogs and cats.”
Gleason said S.A.F.E. volunteers partnered with the Ponte Vedra Pet Supermarket about four years ago to bring dogs to the store on weekends, and the partnership has been a big success, resulting in several hundred dogs finding permanent homes.
“The reception by the residents was heartwarming as so many opened their homes and hearts to the idea of a rescue dog,” she said. “It has been so gratifying to see these wonderful dogs who have gone through so much and need so much love find forever homes right here in Ponte Vedra Beach.”
S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue, based in St. Augustine, was founded 10 years ago, and has rescued more than 14,000 dogs and cats. S.A.F.E., which stands for Saving Animals from Euthanasia, is a no-kill shelter with four locations in the greater St. Augustine and Palatka areas. S.A.F.E. also maintains a thrift store at its headquarters shelter at 1250 County Road A1A in St. Augustine to help fund the organization.
Gleason said the addition of the mobile van has expanded S.A.F.E.’s reach and saved more lives.
“Several years ago, a kind and generous individual donated the funds that allowed S.A.F.E. to purchase a self-contained, fully outfitted mobile adoption van,” she said. “We can now transport over a dozen dogs to adoption events all over the greater Jacksonville area.”
Gleason said S.A.F.E. also plans to have the mobile adoption van visit the Pet Supermarket parking lot in Ponte Vedra once a month and is seeking volunteers.
In addition, she noted that SAFE never turns an animal away, which makes donations particularly vital to the nonprofit’s mission.
“Since SAFE is run entirely by donations, monetary donations are welcome to cover costs directly related to saving animals,” Gleason said. “Vet bills are always a huge expense as so many of these animals need to be rehabilitated before they can be adopted.”
For more information on SAFE or to donate, visit www.safe-pet-rescue-fl.com. If interested in volunteering for pet adoption events, call (904) 273-0757.
