Did That Really Happen?

Recent You-Can’t-Make-Them-Up Headlines From Sarasota and Beyond

Florida legislators have decided that you can still marry your first cousin, a woman recovers from a disastrous run-in with an alligator, Manatee County's "Monkey Whisperer" strikes again, and Saks Sarasota prevails in a game of corporate chicken—for now.

06/01/2026

Making a Splash

Meet Splash, America’s Only Underwater Recovery Otter

He sleeps in bed, throws hissy fits and helps when cadaver dogs and divers hit the limit.

06/01/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Art of the Ark

Joel Sartore’s Images of Endangered Species for the National Geographic Photo Ark May Be Crucial to Saving Wildlife

Sartore will come to Sarasota this month to show some of his images and share stories of his work in a Ringling College Town Hall program at the Van Wezel.

02/07/2026 By Kay Kipling

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