“Big Wishes” List

1. An endowment donation. Our absolute long-term goal is to establish an endowment, so that we can ensure the future of our no-kill shelter and adoption center. By having an endowment, we could continue our efforts at saving the lives of innocent animals, but we could also direct our additional fund raising efforts toward expanding educational and community-outreach programs.

2. A donation dedicated to operation expenses. We have a strong track record of landing grants that allow us to carry out our mission, but this type funding often excludes operational money. It costs $50,000 a month to run our shelter, and we are surviving, but it remains a struggle.

3. A mobile adoption unit. Since opening in 2007, we have found permanent homes for more than 6,000 animals. While we are proud of this accomplishment, I know we could do so much more with a mobile adoption unit. Such a vehicle would bring Alaqua Animal Refuge into the community, allowing us to save the lives of many more animals and give us priceless exposure at events held across the Emerald Coast. This vehicle could also double for a hurricane evacuation unit, as we are located in a flood zone.

4. A grant to fund a full-time veterinarian and vet tech. We can afford only one vet for three days a week, but with more than 250 animals at any given time, including the intake of nearly 100 animals each month, we are in great need of a full time veterinarian staff.

5.  Funds to continue our S.N.A.P. Program. We the only spay and neuter program in our county and currently spend $100,000/year, which alters approximately 2,000 animals.  Currently, we are without funding for 2012.

6.  Funds for Grant Writer / Development Person. Our founder, Laurie Hood, serves as our executive director, grant writer, development contact, and shelter manager.  A professional in the grant writing/developmental position could help provide the funding to continue to move forward.

7.  A new operating suite/equipment additions and upgrades. Our current operating room is located in a trailer and its condition is deteriorating. It is in constant use when the veterinarian staff is on site, as we not only spay and neuter, but we also perform life-saving procedures to many of the animals that come here with serious physical injuries from neglect and abuse. Our equipment is used and sometimes ineffective, and often we need to send animals out for blood work and X-rays, which is expensive.

8. Alaqua Unleashed  Development Funding. We recently acquired a 3-acre off-leash dog park in South Walton.  Research showed that there was 18 acres total, which we now have control over.  Long term plan is to develop the property as a training facility for dogs, improved off-leash areas, “doggie county club” with water/pool features, and facilities to hold fundraising events and concerts.

General Items:

Digital video camera
Industrial printer
New computers
DVD player
Bungee cords
Vehicles – cargo van
Trailers – horse trailers needed
Gift cards for Walmart or store that supplies can be purchased

Animal Items:

Canned dog, cat and puppy food (dry food is bulk purchased in-house)
Small, medium, large dog and cat carriers/kennels
Cat and dog toys
Cat trees
Unscented non-clumping cat litter
Bird Seed – mixed seed, finch seed, thistle seed, safflower seed and sunflower seed
Hay – round and square bales
Horse feed (purchased from Laura’s Pet & Horse in Niceville 850-678-2270)
Saddles, bridles, bits, blankets for horses
Round pen panels for livestock
Welded dog kennels
Kuranda Beds
Leashes, collars
Pet sweaters
Barn heaters – 12 needed (http://www.buytack.com/products-ranch/kec/hs-2420rs.htm)

Office Supply Wish List:

Alkaline batteries, AA, AAA, 9-Volt, D
Bankers storage boxes
Binder clips, all sizes
Bleach
Canned air duster
Cardstock/thick paper
Clip boards
Color copy paper
Clorox Cleanup, or similar cleaning product
Copy machine paper
Dishwashing liquid, especially blue Dawn
Disinfectant Wipes
Drawer organizers
Dry erase markers
Electric pencil sharpener
Electrical tape, colored
Envelopes
Facial tissue
Filing cabinet 
Folders, 2-pocket
Garbage bags
Hand sanitizer, pump bottles
Laser Jet Mailing Labels
Manila folders
Mailing envelopes – 9X12, 10X13
Packing tape
Paper towels
Paper trimmer – large size
Paper plates
Pens, black or blue
Post-it note pads
Rubber bands
Sharpies
Staplers
Stamps
Steno notebooks
Swiffer Dusters
Swiffer Duster Refills
Tape, invisible or clear
Toilet paper
Zip ties

Medical Wish List:

Digital medical thermometers
Disinfectant wipes for hands
Grooming clippers
Towels (bath size)
Oster clippers with #40 clipper blades
Pediatric Neo-Synephrine drops
Vitamin suppliments (specificially…)
Baby food – fruit, veggie meat varieties
Cottonballs
Lactated Ringer’s Solution
Pedialyte – unflavored
Digital baby scales
Alaqua Unleashed Wish List

Alaqua Unleashed Wish List:

Volunteers to help with construction projects, park monitors, photography, fundraising events
Lumber, stones, railroad ties
Plants and flowers for the St. Francis statue area
First aid kit: gauze pads and rolls, vet wrap, antiseptic wipes and cream, tweezers, scissors, instant ice pack, bee sting ointment, gloves, soft muzzle, towels
Security system for gate entrance
Dog wash station
Water feature for dogs to play
Shade features
Bandstand
Bleachers
Grant writer
Signage