Fourteen years after Fran Charlson founded Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, the nonprofit is about to take a major step forward for animal welfare.
On Saturday, May 30, representatives of the organization and local dignitaries broke ground for Ayla’s Acres Animal Resource Center, a $6 million, 10,000-square-foot facility that will provide a comprehensive suite of services benefitting cats and dogs in this area.
“Today marks a very exciting milestone for our organization, for our community and the countless animals whose lives will be changed through the compassion and the support that’s represented here today,” said Ayla’s Acres Director of Operations Joan Guglielmo.
The center will offer shelter, nutritious food and meaningful interaction between people and animals. It will include an onsite veterinary clinic that will provide vaccinations as well as free and low-cost spay and neuter services.
There will be private adoption rooms, a community gathering area, walking trails, a memorial orchard and two caretaker residences. An education center will offer field trips for children and adult education programs.
The facility will take a non-institutional approach. The kennels will be a sizable 8-by-10 feet, the enclosure walls plexiglass. There will be living rooms for interaction. And the cats will be able to stroll out onto a lanai to climb and frolic.
The 17-acre property is located at 5051 County Road 208 in St. Augustine.
Addressing the sizable gathering at the site Saturday, Charlson reflected on Ayla’s Acres’ long journey to make this dream a reality.
“We’ve imagined this moment, worked for it and pushed through challenges to get here, and now, standing on the edge of something real, we’re reminded that dreams don’t just happen; they’re created by people who refuse to give up,” she said.
“Ayla’s Acres was founded on the belief that every animal deserves compassion, protection and opportunity for a loving, forever home,” said Board President Paul Thompson. “Today, that vision takes a major step forward.”
The ceremony was held, coincidentally, on the first anniversary of TV actress Loretta Swit’s death. Swit had been a longtime supporter of Ayla’s Acres, and a portion of Saturday’s event served as a tribute to the “M*A*S*H” star and her contributions to the nonprofit.
“She helped us immensely,” said Charlson. “She didn’t have a lot of money; people think she did. But what she couldn’t give us in money, she gave us with her name and her hard work.”
Swit, who regularly took part in fundraising activities, was made an honorary board member for the nonprofit.
“She lent her support, her influence and her heart to help advance our mission and bring greater awareness to the life-saving work being done for the homeless and neglected animals,” Charlson said.
The center is expected to be complete within 18 to 24 months. DiMare Construction Co. is the general contractor. The nonprofit has raised $2 million toward the cost of the project and continues to pursue funding. For donors, naming rights are still available.
In addition, there is a unique opportunity in two planned murals: one for cats, one for dogs. Pet owners will be able to have their cat or dog painted into one of the murals, giving them a bit of immortality.
“This project represents hope,” said Charlson. “It represents growth. And it represents what can happen when a community comes together for a shared purpose.”
