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News
Latest News Items:
A Tragic Loss for A.R.F. -- Wednesday January 3rd, 2024
With the heaviest hearts, we are devastated to share that our own Kristin Larson, co-founder of A.R.F., passed away on January 1, 2024.
Kristin was deeply committed to her work with A.R.F. since our founding in 2005. She held a special passion for saving the most needy and overlooked dogs and cats from the county shelter. Back in the days when few to no other rescues were working to save shelter animals, Kristin was there. Even when she couldn't pull every animal she wished she could from the shelter, she made sure to be there every weekend to take shelter animals out to A.R.F. adoption events to help get them adopted. No matter how much work or commitment was needed, no matter how many hurdles she had to jump, she did what needed to be done. She was never one to turn her back. She fought for those that needed it most, even when she was fighting alone. Her dedication never wavered, in all these years. She saved thousands and thousands of lives.
Kristin did everything she could to help people, too. She lived a life of service. She also volunteered her time to other passions, like sea turtle conservation and the arts. She always fought to do the right thing, and she always did it with integrity and grace. She was never hateful, never mean. She was kind, compassionate, and patient. She was one of a kind.
We've lost a fierce animal advocate, a selfless human being, and a very special friend. Thank you, Kristin, for your true devotion to animals in need. Thank you for living a life so full of love and generosity. We will miss you so much.
A.R.F. Loses Another Special Volunteer -- Sunday October 2nd, 2022
We are very sad to report that Margaret Stock passed away last month on September 22nd. Margaret spent over ten years as a dedicated volunteer at our adoption center. She really was a vital part of our rescue. We will really miss her sweet smile, gentle and generous nature, and that twinkle in her eyes. Margaret would do whatever was needed, and she continued working hard for us at the center for as long as she could. Then, even at home, she continued to rescue, nurturing many kittens taken in from her neighborhood. A bit of Margaret will continue to be felt at our adoption center. We are so thankful for all she did for the animals! She will not be forgotten!
A.R.F. Loses a Special Lady -- Friday July 8th, 2022
A.R.F. is grieving the loss of a wonderful friend, Director, and hard-working, and passionate volunteer. Abby Reiter left us far too soon on June 30th, 2022. She had a real passion for rescue taking in homeless cats from all areas: strays, owner surrenders, and those in shelters. Abby could not resist helping animals in need and would do all she could to make a rescue happen. Just one more… She found a way to balance working, rescue, and fostering while raising two beautiful boys.
Abby had a beautiful smile and a sparkle in her eyes. She would light up a room and you would leave her feeling better than you did when you got together. Abby was a real light in our rescue. She will be sorely missed. We will not forget our dear friend Abby and will work diligently to continue the work she was such a big part of to honor her memory. There will be a candlelight service in tribute to Abby at Bryant Park on the intracoastal in Lake Worth at 7:30 p.m on Sunday July 10th.
Tribute to Barbara Volkmuth -- Thursday July 29th, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, dedicated volunteer, and director Barbara Volkmuth. Barbara gave 15 years of terrific service to A.R.F. attending all of the big events and even posing with pets as Santa Barbara on many occasions. Barbara will be remembered for her bright smile, her terrific sense of humor, and her boldness. We will miss her dearly, and are so thankful for all of her dedicated service to A.R.F. There will be a visition on August 1st from 4-7 p.m. at the Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home at 3041 Kirk Road in Lake Worth. There will also be a church service on August 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on 1000 W. Lantana in Lantana followed by an 11:30 A.M. burial at Lake Worth Memory Gardens. All are welcome.
A.R.F. Loses a Wonderful Woman -- Wednesday April 29th, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our long-time friend, director, and dedicated volunteer Joanne Moore. Joanne was A.R.F.'s fundraising coordinator for many years and a faithful member of the "A" team, attending events from start to finish. Joanne will be greatly missed. She was a beautiful person inside and out with a catchy smile. Joanne had a great attitude and would brighten your day whether in person, over the phone or by sharing funny e-mails. We will have a Celebration of Life in tribute to our good friend when we can all be together. Joanne we love you, and we thank you for all you did for A.R.F. and the animals in our care! You will remain in our hearts. We will smile when we think of you remembering good times and laughter.
Celebration of Life for Val Figueroa -- Thursday April 25th, 2019
A.R.F. lost a friend last week on April 14th. William “Val” Figueroa was a real friend to animals (even fostering and adopting some difficult ones). Among many things, Val was loved for his energy, his warm heart, his great sense of humor, and his sense of style. He generously filled our Adoption Center with items for sale when we first opened and made A.R.F. several wonderful signs. Please join Robert Kussner and Val’s sister as they celebrate Val’s life this Saturday the 27th at 2 p.m. at 13721 155th Place North in Jupiter, 33478. All are welcome.
Remember A.R.F. in The Great Give -- Thursday April 19th, 2018
In just four days on April 24th, A.R.F. will be a part of The Great Give! Please show your support by making a donation to A.R.F. at www.greatgiveflorida.org. You can find us by searching under “Animals.” This is our first year being a part of this wonderful 24-hour event (00:00 hrs. – 23:59 hrs.) that celebrates the spirit of giving and supports non-profits in Martin and Palm Beach counties. The more donations we receive from you, the more money we will get back! This is a great single day event where you can support your favorite local non-profit directly. As shockingly reported by Humanewatch.org, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is under investigation for decades of scandals, and provides only 1% of its $120 million budget to local pet shelters. More than half of every dollar they receive goes towards raising more money! We thank you for your continued support in helping us find loving homes for the homeless dogs and cats in our area and encourage you to please donate to us this Tuesday through The Great Give. Thank you!
Special Service Sunday August 23rd Honoring JoAnne Garretson -- Monday August 17th, 2015
The First Baptist Church of Greenacres, FL (201 Swain Blvd.) invites you to attend a special service this Sunday at 11:00 at the church. The service will be honoring JoAnne and her love of music and animals, and will feature a prayer over the new Bibles and hymnals generously donated to the church by JoAnne. Please RSVP ASAP if you would like to attend the Fellowship Luncheon following the service, which you are greatly encouraged to attend by visiting FBCGreenacres.org or calling the church at (561) 964-3115.
A Tribute to Our Lady of Rescue -- Thursday December 25th, 2014
South Florida has lost a truly great animal advocate this week. JoAnne Garretson was most surely met at the Rainbow Bridge by countless animals that she helped to rescue over the past forty plus years; twenty of those years here in south Florida. JoAnne brought her idea of bringing shelter animals to the public via mobile unit to south Florida after co-founding Animal Rescue Force in NJ with her husband Ronald, and seeing that mobile units work! With the help of others, JoAnne and Ronald co-founded A.R.F. here in Florida, and JoAnne was there again as a co-founder when A.R.F. of South Florida formed to continue A.R.F.'s rescue mission almost ten years ago.
A.R.F. operated the first Petmobile in our area, adopting out animals at various locations. Following A.R.F.'s lead, now many other rescues in our area successfully bring animals to the public via mobile units where they are then adopted and taken to their new homes that day. JoAnne tirelessly dedicated her life to the animals: recruiting others to help A.R.F. rescue animals, collecting donations to help A.R.F. continue to rescue, and encouraging the public to adopt rescued animals after sharing how rescue benefits both the pet and the new owner.
JoAnne loved this time of year and was most generous in her giving. Please join us in celebrating JoAnne's amazing life at 12:00 p.m. this Saturday the 27th at The First Baptist Church of Greenacres. The church is located at 201 Swain Blvd. in Greenacres, 33463.
JoAnne has inspired us all. We are so thankful for her friendship, her generosity, her leadership, and most especially on behalf of the animals, for all that she has done for them, and for all that she will continue to do for them through her inspiration.
Major Changes at ARF -- Saturday September 3rd, 2011
Animal Rescue Force has had major changes in the last year. At one time, we were a dedicated group of volunteers who got together on weekends to adopt out animals. However, with a whole lot of work, we managed to raise enough money to open our new Adoption Center. We are now a non-profit business with our own location! We opened our Adoption Center, which is the center of our operations, in December, 2010. We have a pet supply store, selling foods, collars, leashes, dog clothes, toys and animal collectibles. All proceeds from sales go to benefit the animals. We also have a groomer who does a beautiful job of making people's best friends look gorgeous. Unlike many groomers, she also specializes in cats. Having a groomer helps keep the Adoption Center in operation. In addition, we showcase a few of our cats and dogs at the Adoption Center, making sure they rotate into foster homes so that there is never too much stress on them, and they get a taste of having a real home.
With all of these changes, we are in great need of volunteers who can help out at the store, and at our adoption events. In addition, we sure could use some more foster homes who can temporarily take in dogs and cats and love them until they get adopted. Come check us out at 5115 S. Dixie Hwy, in West Palm Beach, and join us in our efforts to save lives!
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