Imagine you’re a dog or cat. You’re scared. You’ve learned that humans aren’t always good. It was people who neglected you, hurt you, starved you. And now you’ve been put in a van, and you don’t know what’s in store.

You’re in the Animal Care-A-Van, and it’s taking you to the Humane Society of Sarasota County. When you get there, some friendly humans—the staff and volunteers—will feed, shelter, heal, and love you. And they’ll do everything they can to find you a home of your own. You’re on your way to a better life, and it all starts with your ride in the Animal Care-a-Van.

In 2015, HSSC’s local transport van was vandalized. The air conditioning unit was rendered inoperable, among other damages. Because the van was already 16 years old, repairs were costly and would only be a short-term solution. HSSC relies on its transport van to make the weekly rounds to local high-kill and overcrowded shelters. The cost to purchase a new van was $70,000 once we factored in the expense of adding cages and other necessary features.

That’s where you came in.

During the 2015 Giving Challenge, HSSC hoped to raise $20,000 to put towards a new van. We didn’t meet our goal. We doubled it! Thanks to donors like you, HSSC raised more than $42,000 to purchase a brand-new Chevy Express 2500 Cargo Van. A $20,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation paid for the necessary interior customizations and the exterior graphics. We dubbed the finished product the “Animal Care-A-Van.”

It may seem like just a van, but the Animal Care-A-Van does important work. It brings homeless cats and dogs to HSSC. Then HSSC finds them their fur-ever homes. Since the van first hit the streets in May 2016, it has transported approximately 1,500 animals. Each one of these animals’ lives is better today because you participated in the 2015 Giving Challenge.

Thanks to you, the Animal Care-A-Van will be traveling many miles and saving thousands of lives for years to come. We truly appreciate your support.

What happened to the old van?

HSSC donated it to Vintage Paws Sanctuary. Vintage Paws is a local nonprofit that provides homes for senior and terminally-ill dogs.