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COCOA, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - A not-for-profit animal sanctuary is getting closer and closer to building a giant haven for special need pets, and even while it’s a work in progress, three horses and a donkey call it home.
Founder Katherine Johnson wants Brevard County to become a no-kill county. For that to happen, there has to be places for unwanted animals to live, and if problem animals can be helped and adopted, Johnson says she wants to lead that mission. She is now developing some land into The Friends For Animals Sanctuary.
“We need more donors, more volunteers, we need contractors to come out and help us and there’s even some naming opportunities -- if you want to put your name on a building or in a room, a cat room or dog room or bunny room, which would be great,” Johnson said.
Johnson owns 17 acres of land in Cocoa, but there’s still a ways to go before all of the land becomes her animal kingdom. Johnson showed us a mock-up of what the facility will look like, including plans for a veterinarian clinic on property. Johnson said bringing this from concept reality will cost $2 million, but she’s making it her life’s work. Johnson is an accountant-turned-thrift-shop-owner and animal advocate.
“It takes a lot of your life to do this and it takes a huge passion to be able to help those animals. They really don’t have a voice for themselves,” Johnson said.
The sanctuary’s first residents are a trio of horses and a donkey. We coaxed them on camera with cheerios. Johnson said she loves all animals but is especially sensitive to those who have been neglected or injured, her misfits.
“They just need some work and they get over-looked at the shelters because they’re not highly desirable, there is something wrong with them,” Johnson said.
When the sanctuary is complete, Jesse the donkey and the three horses will have a lot of friends -- some 250 to 300 animals.