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| The Animal Refuge Center, Inc. (ARC) began as a hope for a better way other than euthanasia to deal with the problems of unwanted, healthy animals and the prevention of cruelty to animals. Unfortunately, euthanasia was the solution in 1987 for most cats and dogs Lee County .
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| Pulling together a group of individuals with the same goals in mind of creating positive solutions to pet overpopulation, ARC was incorporated in March 1988. Starting on a small scale by vaccinating and worming pets prior to their being sterilized at the most inexpensive clinics available, ARC's reputation as humane caregivers began to grow and member volunteers hosted educational booths and visited public schools with programs on responsible pet ownership. Soon due to this reputation and ARC's obtaining legal status with Lee County as animal advocates; unwanted puppies, dogs, kittens and cats began showing up on its doorsteps. With few “foster homes” for placing the animals, the organization had to find another location for its “residents”. Temporary residences were found until September 1991 when ARC moved to a kennel near Page Field Airport .
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| A lease for two years was signed but when the owner of the airport vicinity property decided to reclaim the space, ARC lost its lease. By soliciting donations from a committed community, the Animal Refuge Center was able to purchase its current home situated on 20 acres in N. Ft. Myers. Throughout the last eighteen years, the number of animals has grown from 100 to over 500 and therefore the facilities in which to house these homeless pets have also grown. Presently there are 10 main buildings housing cats: the Gable Village , Wildcat Run, the Ekstrom Cottage, the Retreat, the Cat House, the Welcome Center and the Fitzpatrick House. In addition we have 4 small cottages where cats are often placed for their introductory period. The Krieger Canine Village is composed of 20 air-conditioned dog lodges for anywhere from 20 to 40 dogs to reside. A doggy door allows them to go in and out of their lodge at will into their own small play yard that has an awning for shade and a child's pool for wading. In that area, we also have our dog office for food preparation and laundry.
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| Late in the year 2002, ARC began an “animal behavior” program by bringing in a certified behaviorist to instruct staff and volunteers in the positive method of making all of our canine residents more adoptable and sociable. With the success of this program, ARC Academy was formed in 2004 for ongoing training of our canines. Additional training and exercise yards were constructed on an acre of property for canine social and behavioral training to enhance this program resulting in a dramatic increase in adoptions of our larger canines. A well-mannered and behaviorally sound dog is highly desirable to adopters. In 2005, ARC celebrated its 17 th Anniversary, and is now placing approximately 600 dogs and cats per year into responsible, loving homes through direct and indirection adoptions. Construction was completed in 2006 on 9 dog lodges with individual play-yards which can house 18 canines. Still under construction is a dual feline facility which will house 50 cats.
ARC's on-going mission is the education of the community regarding the importance of spaying and neutering their animal companions, with the ultimate result being the elimination of euthanasia. We have an active humane education program in both the public and private schools of Lee County . ARC is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals and to the prevention of euthanasia for abandoned dogs and cats. As the largest sanctuary in Florida our philosophy avows that once an animal is accepted for adoption, it will not be destroyed to make room for another.
Our current capital campaign is the construction of an indoor facility for dog behavioral training and surgical recovery area. Learn more about ARC
at www.animalrefuge.com.
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