Capital Campaign Brochure

Our mission
est. 2007
Alaqua Animal Refuge believes that every abused, neglected, and
homeless animal deserves a second chance. Our private, nonprofit 501(c)3
animal sanctuary is committed to serving Northwest Florida as the premier
no-kill refuge, providing protection, shelter and care to animals in need;
a full-service animal adoption center; and a peaceful, proactive animal
welfare advocate through educational outreach and community programs.
second
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439
(850) 880-6399
www.ALAQUA.org
©2018 Alaqua Animal Refuge
Photography Credits: Lisa R. Miller Animal Photography, Brandy Brown, Patrick Gault
chances
start here.
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE

“
A living SOUL
I see a living soul in every animal
and feel compelled to be its voice.
Laurie Hood, Founder & President
Alaqua Animal Refuge
”
Our founding belief is stronger
and more sharply focused
today than at its inception
more than a decade ago:
Every abused, neglected, and
homeless animal deserves
a second chance...at life,
hope, happiness, and
most of all, love.
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE

A purposeful Founding
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
Laurie Hood founded Alaqua in 2007 after discovering that untold
numbers of animals were being euthanized in a five-county area due to
the lack of a no-kill shelter or adoption center of any kind in the region.
Propelled to make a difference, she envisioned a refuge that would be
different from traditional animal shelters: a place where happy animals
of all shapes, sizes, and kinds would live in a pristine, healing environment
and where people would find a peaceful place to adopt, volunteer, and
visit.
From the moment you enter our grounds, it is evident that there
is no place quite like Alaqua—spacious pastures and quality living
conditions, onsite medical staff and loving volunteers, and vast
educational and community programs that touch a diverse society.
No dream Too Big
Since Alaqua’s humble beginnings, we’ve continually
pushed the boundaries of animal rescue, welfare, cruelty
prevention, and advocacy. Today, we are a recognized
leader on these issues in our region, state, and around the
Laurie Hood has been a
passionate animal lover
since she was a child.
U.S. As Northwest Florida’s premier no-kill 501(c)3 refuge
and sanctuary, we are committed to the work of rescuing,
rehabilitating, and finding new homes for animals.
We believe that no dream is too big when it comes to
saving the lives of innocent animals. There is more we
want to accomplish, and the need is great, but Alaqua is
currently located in a high flood and evacuation zone and
is at capacity with no room for expansion.
Initially providing shelter
to 38 animals, Alaqua
has placed more than
15,000 animals into
loving homes and
environments since
its founding and helped
countless others through
our partnerships
and outreach.
Hermione
our resident lamancha goat

“Laurie Hood has that rare
combination of passion and
vision. Few people possess
both qualities. She’s an outlier
in the best sense of the word.
Laurie has a servant’s heart.
She’s raised the capacity of
this region to do good.”
Sheriff Michael Adkinson
Walton County, Florida
Past President,
Florida Sheriffs Association
Infused with Heart & Soul
We are undertaking a bold and daring endeavor to build a one-of-akind
refuge and sanctuary on 100-acres of donated land. Our goal is to
be a model for animal sanctuaries around the world, and a destination
for animal welfare advocates as a place that will inspire, educate, and
empower others to make change.
Our new location will increase our sheer land space tenfold where we will
have the ability to serve more animals, conduct safe educational tours,
host larger community educational programs, and provide an educational
and training center where people from all over the country and world can
come to visit and learn from us.
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
Lily and Merlin
cat cabin residents
A bold Vision
Alaqua’s new home isn’t just for animals.
During the practice of healing thousands of abandoned
and abused animals, we realized that we could also help
people through the powerful effects that interactions
with animals have on the human spirit and body. Our
new sanctuary will allow us to continue the important
work that is done now, expand our scope of animal
welfare services and programs, and be an inspiration
for creating a kinder, more empathic, and healthier
society by healing animals and people.
Now is the time for us to push above and beyond
the limits of our current footprint. The Campaign for
Alaqua Animal Refuge is a game-changer for our future
and will help us transform the shape of animal shelters
and sanctuaries around the globe.
Alaqua boasts a force
of hundreds of active
volunteers—the largest
on the Emerald Coast
of Florida—serving an
average of 2,500 hours
per month in support
of our mission. They are
an integral part of our
family and their love
of animals and caring
nature is a blessing to
our organization.

THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
campaign
The
Second Chances Start Here. The Campaign for Alaqua Animal Refuge
is a multi-million dollar fundraising initiative that will serve as the
foundation for Alaqua’s relocation and expansion. Alaqua’s new home
will redefine sanctuary for animals and people alike, and will represent
a renewal of life, a restored hope, and a second chance for all.
The Campaign will provide critical funding for the construction of
buildings and facilities ensuring long-term financial stability and growth,
while achieving our goals and furthering our mission.
Reminiscent of a small community, Alaqua’s new home has been
meticulously designed and carefully concepted to reflect our mission
and core values by keeping streamlined animal care, public outreach,
educational programs, and visitor engagement in the foreground.
“Alaqua Founder Laurie
Hood makes extraordinary
things happen for animals.
She’s a turnaround artist,
taking animals from the
darkest of places to the
promise of peacefulness.”
Wayne Pacelle
Former CEO of the Humane
Society of the United States
and New York Times
Best Selling Author
At any given time,
Alaqua provides respite
to over 300 animals of
all kinds in need—dogs,
cats, horses, birds,
goats, rabbits, turtles,
goats, cows, pigs,
donkeys, ducks, and
even emus.
Our new home will provide a safe shelter and loving
environment to accommodate larger numbers of all types
of animals in need of medical care and treatment (including
injured wildlife in the future); bring people together in
a common space for the community to share, learn and
grow; educate residents, visitors, and tourists about the
plight of abused, neglected, and homeless animals; and
offer concrete steps as to what we as a society can do to
help remedy these issues.
Serving as both a shelter and a sanctuary, and keeping in
alignment with its overall vision, Alaqua will continue its
commitment to these focus areas: Rescue, Rehabilitation,
Adoption, Education, and Training.
Redefining Sanctuary
Jack
Alaqua Alum

A haven For All
Development highlights
Nestled in a natural setting amidst tall, longleaf pines, Alaqua’s new
home will have a streamlined, visitor-friendly design for traffic flow,
visitor and animal safety, and access to amenities. Key components
will provide new avenues for increased engagement and learning
opportunities throughout the property.
• Welcome Center with French Quarter-Inspired Courtyard,
and Expanded Adoption Center and Gift Shop
• Dog Suites with Home-Like Environments and Outdoor Runs
• Cat Adoption Cabins and Interaction Areas
• Advanced Medical Quarantine and Rehabilitation Space with
Veterinarian Clinic, Infirmary Rooms, and a Forensics Lab
• Expanded Quarantine Areas with Quiet Spaces for Abused,
Agile, and Injured Animals to Heal
• Wildlife Animal Sanctuary
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
“Alaqua Animal Refuge is
an excellent role model
combining compassion for
the well-being of animals,
robust fundraising
techniques and non-profit
management practices.
Alaqua’s extensive education
and community programs
set the bar high for all animal
welfare organizations.”
Global Federation
of Animal Sanctuaries
Lucy
AFRICAN GREY SANCTUARY BIRD
• Covered Arena and Classroom for Special Events,
Educational Seminars, and Animal Training
• Unique and Exotic Bird Flight Aviaries
• Interactive Animal Exhibits and Natural
Wildlife Enclosures
• Vegetarian Café with Garden Seating Area
• Multiple Animal Therapy Opportunities
• Spacious Pastures, Walking Paths, and Nature Trails
• Chapel Perched on a Hill Overlooking Pond
and Surrounded by Serene Woods
• Meditation Areas and Classrooms
• Bridge of Hope National Memorial (Dedicated to the
Millions of Shelter Animals that Lose their Lives Each Year)
• Housing for Interns
Penned by one of our
faithful volunteers:
“Volunteering at Alaqua
has given me a purpose in
my life. I have met some of
the kindest people there,
as well as loved every
single pet I have cared for.
I have developed deep
and lasting friendships at
Alaqua. You truly meet
some of the nicest people
volunteering here.”

THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
impactful Experiences
Centrally positioned, the Town Square Viewing suites within our veterinarian
will serve as an open green space for
clinic will allow safe observation of
community gatherings and events,
medical procedures, exams, animal
such as concerts, farmers’ markets,
rehabilitation, and animal forensics.
fundraisers, and festivals.
Vet students can also receive hands-on
learning in shelter and wildlife medicine.
Guests and adopters will be greeted
in our inviting welcome center, where
Focused programs, camps, and classes
they can begin their quest to find the
designed to teach respect for animals
perfect pet or take a tour of our
and all life will introduce youth to animal
100-acre park surrounded by nature
welfare careers, such as becoming a
and animal encounters.
veterinarian, animal lobbyist or attorney,
or founder of a rescue organization.
Buildings are designed to maximize
outcomes from programs such as Equine An all-encompassing, educational
Interactions, where private sessions
curriculum will provide students handson
learning of refuge operations—from
can be held for students, special
needs invididuals, PTSD patients, and clerical to adoptions to medical.
abused children to facilitate the best
possible learning interactions for their Specialized studies and accredited
development and healing.
classes for law enforcement will review
hands-on examples of cruelty, hoarding,
Children and adults will enjoy multiple, or neglect situations and identify how to
creative spaces designed for corporate process cases more effectively for higher
retreats, community seminars, field
prosecution rates.
trips, volunteer groups, team building,
children’s parties, and health and
Guests will visit interactive exhibits of
wellness teaching for animals and
animals that they may have never been
humans.
able to touch or know before.
Pet-friendly weddings or memorials
Native wildlife species will be seen in
can be hosted in our beautiful chapel
their natural habitats, and visitors can
that will also be a sacred space for grief learn how to protect them.
counseling for those who have lost
loved ones.
The healing power of animals can be
experienced all over the refuge, where
Weekend seminars will be presented
people can find emotional, physical, and
on animal care and training, equine
social rejuvenation.
behavior, and canine obedience.
Creating change
“Alaqua Animal Refuge
checks all the boxes we look
for when making a charitable
investment: outstanding
leadership, inspiring mission,
and sustainable operations.
Our relationship with Laurie
and Alaqua goes back ten
years, and they have always
been very conscientious
stewards of the resources
provided to them.”
Cabot Pollard Pyle
Executive Director
Dugas Family Foundation
Penelope
ALAQUA ALUM

Zena
sanctuary HORSE
Join our Visionaries
you Are Essential
Second Chances Start Here. The Campaign for Alaqua Animal Refuge
will result in a one-of-a-kind shelter and sanctuary.
The Campaign is a tipping point for Alaqua’s future and will impact and
advance our vision to expand our rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption
services, and educational and community programs. It will allow us to
strengthen our presence, increase sustainability for our organization, and
boost the capacity to serve and grow. Our goal reflects the magnitude of
our aspiration to transform, educate, inspire, and engage.
We need your dedication and partnership. Join our visionaries on
this journey to build a new kind of animal welfare park and educational
sanctuary. There are many ways to participate in transforming the vision
into reality, from naming a building, park, arena, or kennel, to corporate
and individual giving.
THE CAMPAIGN for ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE
“Our family is committed to
making a difference for causes
both great and small. Alaqua
Animal Refuge holds a special
place in our hearts. It is where we
adopted an abused dog named
Bella and her five mischievous
puppies. We got to know Laurie
and her passion for helping
animals is unsurpassed.”
Ryan Jumonville
Alaqua Visionary
Chairman, United Networks
of America
This is not only a campaign, but a calling. It is your chance to be part
of something magnificent, and truly one-of-a-kind. Please invest in the
future of animal welfare, human-kind, and the power of generosity.
You will be giving Second Chances to all that
come to Alaqua for a new beginning, a restored
happiness, a renewal of hope, and most of all, love.
#Second Chances Start Here
#Campaign for Alaqua