Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) Celebrates 50,000th Surgery

From the Animal Rescue Coalition: When Ira Barsky and Ed Sarbey started ARC in 1998 in an effort to reduce the killing of adoptable dogs and cats in Sarasota and Manatee counties, they never anticipated performing the 50,000 spay and neuter procedures that mark this month's milestone. As a result, millions of unwanted pregnancies and euthanasias have been avoided. ARC marks the milestone with “Dog”, a four year-old rescued Pitbull that received ARC's 50,000th procedure.

From a mobile clinic purchased in 2002, ARC moved to a stand-alone, fully equipped 3800 sq./ft. facility in 2014 and adopted the Humane Alliance, a nationally recognized organization with an operating model based on offering high-volume, high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter services to low-income families. The volume of procedures went from 2,500 to 5,000 a year. ARC now serves Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties and provides a free transport program within the four-county area as well.

Joanna Pace, ARC's Board Chair, credits founders Ira and Ed's generosity, dedication and vision for the existence of ARC. She adds, “In addition to Ed and Ira, we want to thank the community and our donors for allowing ARC to prevent countless numbers of cats and dogs from ending up in shelters and facing potential euthanasia. As animal lovers, we believe that every animal deserves a loving home and preventing litters of unwanted animals is the best way to achieve that outcome.”

According to the ASPCA, spaying or neutering pets helps control the pet homelessness crisis which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized in the United States each year simply because there aren't enough homes to go around. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying and neutering that help animals live longer, healthier lives.

For more information, to schedule a procedure, or to donate please call 941-957-1955 ext. 3.

Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue Coalition