Creature Comfort

Therapy Animals Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Meet some of our region’s volunteer pet therapists.

09/01/2025

Swim Meet

What It's Like to Swim With the Stingrays at the St. Regis Longboat Key

Get up close and personal with stingrays and marine animals at The St. Regis Longboat Key’s Under the Sea lagoon.

07/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Wild Things

Southwest Florida Is Home to a Surprising Array of Exotic Animals

Get ready for a walk on the wild side.

06/26/2024 By Kim Doleatto Photography by Hannah Phillips

Reptile Rock Star

Katie Scaramozzino Shares Her Love of Reptiles Through Critter Club

Scarazmozzino says that her tortoises Radish and Sprout earn some of the most positive responses at events. But Spaghetti, her 5-foot-long boa constrictor, is the star of the show.

06/25/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Ride Along

The Life of a Sarasota County Animal Services Officer Is Way More Complex Than You Might Think

We recently spent a day with animal services officer Jeffrey Henry to find out what it's like to corral critters for a living.

02/19/2024 By Sylvia Whitman

Florida Woman

What to Know Before Moving to Florida

This December, I’m celebrating the anniversary of my three-year-long relationship with the Sunshine State.

12/29/2022 By Laura Paquette

Post-Ian

Anna Maria's Wildlife Inc. Has Taken in a Flood of Animals Ravaged by Hurricane Ian

The morning after the hurricane made landfall on Florida's west coast, the center took in roughly 160 animals in need of care.

10/10/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Globetrotter

This Sarasota Man Has Traveled the World Hunting Exotic, Dangerous Snakes

"I’ve been bitten by almost every creature there is. But I love what I do."

07/28/2022 By Allison Forsyth

Grants

Manatee Community Foundation Grants $100,000 to Honor Animal Rescue

The funds will support the rescue's plans for its new buildings and enhanced campus in east Manatee County.

03/14/2022 By Staff

Philanthropy

New Grant Will Boost Sarasota Animal Shelter

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded $7,800 to Satchel's Last Resort.

11/24/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Animal Rescue Coalition Hires Two

Kayla Murphy has been named clinic manager and Maggie O’Brien program manager.

07/21/2021 By Staff

Animals in Need

Animal Shelters Are Still Feeling the Effects of the Pandemic—and Now It's Kitten Season

The pandemic has contributed to an uptick of kittens and other animals in need of adoption in our area.

06/09/2021 By Emma Moneuse

The Invaders

Should Florida Exterminate or Accommodate Invasive Species?

Florida consistently ranks as one of the top five places in the world with the most invasive species. And the state is the world epicenter of invasive reptiles.

03/10/2021 By Isaac Eger

New Home

Bradenton Animal Rescue is Getting a $10 Million Upgrade in September

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue is building a 31,000 square-foot adoption, vet and training center as part of its original location.

02/25/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Fast Track

Animal Rescue Coalition Appoints New Executive Director

Most recently, McCann was the founder and president of Philanthropy Partners, which provided guidance to nonprofits, corporations and foundations.

01/11/2021 By Staff

Sip & Stay (Home) with Rare Napa Valley Wines

A virtual wine tasting will benefit Animal Rescue Coalition.

12/31/2020

Pets

DOGPerfect, Animal Rescue Coalition Team Up to Prevent Animal Homelessness

DOGPerfect will offer free Perfect Club memberships to all who spend more than $60 at ARC’s clinic through the end of the year.

10/21/2020 By Staff

Snorkeler's Delight

Sarasota's Waterways Are Filled With Vibrant Wildlife

Turtles, dolphins and stingrays, oh my! Here's some of the marine life you'll find in our local waters—and some best practices for sharing it with our fishy friends.

09/08/2020 By Sarafina Murphy-Gibson

Wildlife Scavenger Hunt

12 Wild Animals You Might See in the Everglades

Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, crocodiles, otters, deer, birds and more.

02/27/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Drinking beer for a good cause

Brewery's Shelter Dog Beers Spotlighted on National TV

Motorworks Brewery was featured on Thursday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

01/31/2020 By Rachel Suwak