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Ayla’s Acres No-kill Animal Rescue is going through a though time after experiencing flooding at its thrift shop during Tropical Storm Ian.
Although it has been weeks since the storm passed, the damage the water did to the shop located in St. Augustine is still a work in progress.
“We got flooded just enough to where we need some new walls and inventory,” Owner Fran Charlson said. “We originally thought that we were going to be closed for a week, but’s it’s turned into much more than that.”
The rescue has been around for about 10 years, and it is not the first time it has had to bounce back from damage caused by flooding.
Rescue, foster and adoption of animals are the primary focuses of the rescue, which currently has about 60 animals in adoption homes, most of which are cats.
According Charlson, the not having the thrift shop up and running can have a lasting negative impact.
“We will lose about a month’s worth of revenue from the thrift shop,” Charlson said.
Not having that revenue source can create other issues as it helps fund the operation.
“Money is definitely key right now because it allows us to keep up with all that we offer,” Charlson said. “At the end of the day it’s all about providing our animals with the best care needed. We can also use volunteers in the shop once we are re-opened.”
Ayla’s Acres partnered with Underwood’s Jewelers in Ponte Vedra Beach to host an adoption event Oct. 8. It was also a part of a three-day trunk show at Underwood’s.
Actress Loretta Swit attended the event as a special guest. She is best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the television series M*A*S*H, as well as being an animal activist.
“Underwood’s has been a huge supporter of ours over the years,” Charlson said. “We enjoy doing our part to give back, and we love it when people are passionate back, because the need exists. We’re in a county that rallies when things are needed.
According to Charlson, she usually gets about 30 phone calls a day from various people who have questions or are looking for a home for stray animals they have run across.
Being a no-kill rescue is one of the things Charlson is most proud of about the approach to the business, and she has not wavered at all.
“I’ve always loved animals and worked with horses as a teenager,” she said. “I had a kitten that passed away when I was a 2-year-old, and my mom told me that if ‘God wants us to have a kitty he would give us one.’ The next day there was a cat looking for a home outside our door and that was that. There’s just something special about animals that brings such joy to our lives.”
Anybody looking for ways to donate money or time toward the cause can email fran@aylasacres.org or call 650-520-5201.
