November 13, 2025 • 55 mins
Get ready for an inspiring and heartwarming episode of Calling All Creatures!
This week, we’re taking you to Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida — a truly special place where second chances begin. Alaqua is a no-kill sanctuary giving abused, neglected, and homeless animals a safe haven to heal, grow, and find love again. From dogs and cats to farm animals and wildlife, every creature is given the care and compassion they deserve.
Don’t miss this uplifting episode that reminds us of the healing power of kindness and second chances.
This week, we’re taking you to Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida — a truly special place where second chances begin. Alaqua is a no-kill sanctuary giving abused, neglected, and homeless animals a safe haven to heal, grow, and find love again. From dogs and cats to farm animals and wildlife, every creature is given the care and compassion they deserve.
Don’t miss this uplifting episode that reminds us of the healing power of kindness and second chances.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good evening everybody, and welcome to Calling All Creatures. I
am your host, Lori, and tonight I hope you guys
will find the podcast as interesting as I will. I
have Lori Hood on with me tonight. She's the founder
of the Laqua Animal Refuge. I hope I said that correctly,
(00:21):
and she's on tonight to tell us more about the
refuge and why she started it and what some of
the animals are that she helps out. Because she doesn't
just help out the domestics, she also helps out the
wildlife with the rescue. So I think you guys should
enjoy this one and I'm looking forward. Thank you for
(00:42):
being on tonight, Laurie. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So let's kind of start out with what inspired you
to start a Laqua Animal Refuge back in I guess
it was what two thousand and seven.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yeah, it's actually Aliqua. Aliqua the only one that mispronounced it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
It's a Native American name after our areas, so it's
a little bit tricky, but it's Aliqua Animal Refuge.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
And you know what, my last name is five and
just oh goodness, I just screwed up a Native American name.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yes, yes, so sure. So So back in two thousand
and seven, I had just had my two children back
to back, two.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Boys, and and.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Something just came in front of me that you almost
couldn't deny. You know, once you know something, you can't
know it. I guess it was one of those situations.
And long story, but we were looking for a puppy
for a lady that was helping me with my kids
when I was pregnant, and I went on our county website.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I said, you need to adopt, you know, And and
went on the county.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Website and it was a little puppy and it looked
just like one she had lost. So we were excited
and I started calling about trying to get this puppy
adopted for her.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
But that led to a very.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Disturbing reality that the puppy had been picked up in
our county but transferred several counties away because our county
was without an animal shelter animal control facility of any kind,
as was seven surrounding county.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
So we were in an area of seven counties.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Without a shelter at all, and when animals were being
picked up from those areas, they were being transferred to
a holding facility that was not open to the public.
They literally took them in, held them and euthanized them.
So we were almost at one hundred percent euthanasia rate
in seven counties in two thousand and seven. And when
I found that out, I just had to do something
(02:48):
about it, like that was totally unacceptable, and so I
started aliqui am were refuge to adjust the problem and
it just grew from there.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Wow, that's just crazy. One hundred percent use in Nasia
rates of over seven counties. I can't believe they didn't
have any kind of a shelter or even collaborate together
to try to build a shelter. That is just crazy.
But then again, I have to think back about my
own county here. I'm not even going to get into it,
(03:19):
and we still don't have a county shelter either, and
they're trying to rely on two little city shelters that
do not have enough realm.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, I mean sometimes, you know, and you know, it takes.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Somebody to really advocate for that, because you know, a
lot of these counties are rural and they're you know,
they're poor counties, and you know, they don't even have
proper health care for humans or housing for humans. So
now animals unfortunately fall at the very bottom of the
wish list and it's a shame. So fortunately they depend
(03:52):
on private shelters like mine to come in and try
to be the band aid.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
I did animal control for twelve years, so oh you did, Yes,
I did, so, I completely know. And as a matter
of fact, I worked for my county. We have, yeah,
in two different local municipalities, and we as county officers.
Back when I was there, we were pushing for our
(04:17):
county to build our own shelter because we knew we
knew the stress. At that point, then they had four
local municipality shelters that would take in animals from the
county and now it's down to two. So yeah, we
pushed for way back years and years ago and never
got done. And then just more recently we were pushing.
(04:38):
It's been being pushed for again and some stuff went
through and they were actually able to acquire like state
grant funds to help build the shelter, and that's wonderful. Yeah,
it wouldn't be if they'd use it, but yeah, we
still haven't got a shelter. And this has been a
couple of years, so it's like and then never trying
(05:01):
to buy a shelter. But I think because usually when
you write a grant, because I've had to write them,
you have to use the money for what you specify
in the grant. So like literally, if you specify, you know,
you're you probably know you you know what your refuge.
If you write for a certain thing, that's where your
money is going to have to go. Now, if you
(05:21):
say you're going to build a you know, new shelter
and match money to this money to do it, then
that's what you got to do. You can't go out
and try to build or buy something. So yeah, it's
it's just been one of those things. So I don't
know where we're at at this point on trying to
kill that. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. So sorry,
I didn't mean to get off topic, but yeah, no.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
It's okay, it's okay, and you know, you're seeing it
firsthand and that's what's so hard.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
And so many people.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Think that the Animal Constall officers are the bad guys,
but they're not. They're just they're trying to make a
difference and you know, they unfortunately are the ones that
have to go out and do the work that no
one else wants to.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Do, and so thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
I mean, it's it's hard to find passionate people that
stick with that because.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It's so difficult to watch it is.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
It's very hard. And I actually haven't been in that
field for nine years now, but my friends still that
I worked with here. She actually moved up by Phoenix
and she still does it up in that area. But yeah,
it's just one of those things that you know, we
do see it firsthand, and we walk a very fine
(06:29):
line because you know, we're the ones that have to
try to advocate for the animals, but we're also the
ones that are the ones in the end that have
to take their lives, if you know, right, And so
especially when you're people don't understand when we have to
go in and do like these felony type cases where
there's been neglect and abuse and stuff and we're taking
those animals out of there and then they get euthanized
(06:51):
because of space or because you know someone that's crazy.
You know it is, and that just kills you inside,
but it is, it's crazy. So thank goodness, we're making
at least trying to make strides. I mean, more people
have become more proactive when it comes to you know,
animal control and things like that, but there's still long
(07:13):
ways to go. Hopefully we'll get there someday.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yes, there is. There is a long way to cass.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
I know, you take animals as a rescue. I know
it's crazy for you guys, so believe me. I still deal.
I have rescues around here. I still am involved with
them and do things and help, you know, promote them
and stuff like that. So yeah, I know.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, we worked directly with all the sheriff's department. That
was something that immediately came upon that you know, started
an organization and all these animals were coming in, and
there were animals coming in with horrific.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Things that had been done to them.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
And found out that that there had never been an
animal cruelty prosecution ever in my county since the county began.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
And I couldn't believe that, and so.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I went to the you know, Shaff's department, a sharge
department said the state attorneys didn't take it seriously. I
went to the State Attorney's office and they're like, well,
they don't give us what we.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Need to build the case.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
So I started teaching animal cruelty training classes and.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
It was amazing.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Because these officers, it's not that they didn't want to
do anything, it says they didn't know how to, you know,
what the process was. I mean, they barely touch on
it when they're you know, learning how to be a
law enforcement officer. And so we gave them the tools
that they need. We taught them what the laws were.
My organization comes in and when there's a large hoarding
(08:40):
case or cruelty case that you know, involves sometimes as
many as two hundred animals, well actually the largest we
took was four hundred. But we figure out how to
take those animals and do the medical work and build
the case around it, even if we have to, you know, we.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
End up paying for it ourselves. We just put it
out there.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And the public has been very kind to donate to
make sure we are able to take care of these animals.
And you know, without that, it's very hard to build
a case because.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
You know, it's so expensive.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
I mean, they come in just the worst of the worst,
and it takes so much.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
To get them back, and so, you know, that's something
very near to my heart. Because what you just said, it's.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Heart wrenching to take these animals out of such a
horrible place where they've lived their lives knowing you know,
nothing but fear and you know, sadness, and then you
want to give them the life that they deserve. So
you know, it's tough, and it does put a strain
on your organization because there's so many of them, but
(09:44):
you know, we try to take every single one that
we're you know, we're asked to, and sometimes.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
It's a lot.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, yeah, I understand that. I know. Like I said,
I see what goes on around here in our county
and we're kind of a more rural county two and it's,
you know, kind of the same thing. Everybody's kind of
scattered out and around, and yeah, it's it's a big thing.
So it would be wonderful if if one day we
could get the county shelter in place and have a
(10:13):
It's not going to solve the problem, obviously. I'm not
saying that it would help the smaller community shelters obviously,
because then they would just which actually it wouldn't in
a way because I know people, well, you could use
the smaller city shelters for the overflow, and I'm thinking, okay,
that would be within a couple of days, because that's
(10:35):
just how that goes.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
You.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
People don't understand this. It doesn't matter how big or
how many shelters you build, they're always going to be
full because yeah, because of the way society is. So yeah,
so yeah, it just will never end unless people start
changing their mindsets and what they're doing. That's and you know,
I was talking to someone the other day, you know
a little bit about this too, because you know, people
(11:00):
are always saying, you know, spae and neuter is a
very important thing. You know, get your pets and stuff
spade and neutered and things like that, so you're not
having you know, the accidental litters and everything. But another
important thing is is if your dog gets out of
your yard, go get it. Quit leaving it at the shelter.
Just going and getting another dog, you know, I mean, seriously,
(11:20):
let's quit be in the throwaway society. That's the hugest
thing in our society is oh well it got out
of the yard, it's at the shelter, It'll find a
new home. I'm just going to get another dog because
I don't want to put effort in to going down
there to pick up my dog or maybe you know,
having to face reprimand or a fee, you know, which. Actually,
the shelters here, because they're so overfull all the time
(11:42):
a good part of the time, aren't even charging fees
to give your dogs back. They just want them out,
especially after like the holidays July fourth and stuff. They
don't charge to give the dogs back.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
So yeah, it's just crazy that these animals are being
left in these facilities when they get out of their
yards because people that's what they do. They just it's okay,
I don't know if that's what they're thinking, that it'll
just find a new home, so they're not going to
put the effort in and instead they just don't. Yeah,
they just think, well, maybe it'll come home on its own,
(12:13):
and if it doesn't, oh, well you know that thing too.
So I don't know anyway. So yeah, the mindset and
people is what has to change before we'll be able
to address the animal overpopulation problem.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Correctly agree, So.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Well, anyway, so now that we've kind of talked a
little bit about that stuff, let's kind of go back
to where we were at. So you guys started back
in two thousand and seven because you were helping the
lady to adopt the puppy. So I'm assuming that was
your moment where you you know, kind of pushed you.
You said, to get the refuge and everything going, and
you have gone back and rescued multiple animals over time.
(12:57):
Let's go ahead and take a look at how you
would describe the Refugees mission in your own words, so
that the listeners out there know, well.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
We've been through many phases. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Initially I was just trying to give these animals another option,
you know, and give them a chance to find a
home and you know, be seen in.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
That sort of thing. And then it grew into.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Realizing that, you know, we needed to, like what you said,
change society, you know, and create a more empathetic world for.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You know, animals that live with us. And so I
started doing.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Like field trips and trying to educate children and reach
them at a younger age. And I started the refuge
on about ten acres of my own property, and you know,
I had a barn and that sort of thing, and
it kind of grew into you know, a pretty successful
(13:58):
piece of land. I guess it was kind of mishmash.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Together, I guess, because it was just as we had
a little.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Bit of money or somebody you know, donated to build
something that we just added on, but we weren't able
to fully you know, get those children out. We couldn't
you know, we wanted to reach seniors, we wanted to
reach special needs, we wanted to do equantsies to therapy classes,
and you know, we really wanted to make a difference
touching human lives as well.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And so we were donated one hundred acres.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Of land down the road and that was about eight
years ago, I guess, and as we raised the.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Funds to build, we started building on that.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Property and that's completely changed everything because we're able to
do those programs and really make a difference with children.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's just so important.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Like so many kids come out and they've never seen,
you know, been able to touch a horse or or
meet a goat, or you know, see some of.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
The animals that they don't.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Know anything about because they've never had the opportun unity
to meet or touch one. And this past year we
I think we had twenty two hundred kids come through
last year and we're on target this year to do
double that I and that's just amazing. And so with
all of that, it's it's we're just trying to you know,
our main mission is just to create a more kinder
(15:19):
and empathetic world. I mean, that's just what is the
first and foremost of everything that we do, and we
try to bring that into every meeting and you know,
make sure staff and volunteers are acting in that way.
And it's it's a challenge in today's time because you know,
it's frustrating when you encounter certain things, but that's kind
(15:39):
of our goal.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
And you know, we're making a den in it.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know, we'll never we'll never completely get there, but
it's important and so that's that's kind of what we
strive for.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Right yeah, I mean, and it's a great mission. You know,
a couple of the rescues around here, you know, they're
doing some of the stuff to the horse rescues. I know,
she you know, does some education and stuff with the horses.
She has volunteers. They come out, they literally help to
work with the horses and uh, you know, make sure
(16:15):
they're you know, rideable and things like that for people
for when they're adopted and things like that. So these guys.
It's a pretty cool program that they've got going on
out there, And I think I thought they were going
to set something up for like veterans to come out
and do stuff or they maybe they already wonderful. Yeah,
so it sounds like you kind of do the same thing.
(16:37):
You know, you're doing your education and stuff like that
with kids and people coming out, and I'm assuming you
probably have your own volunteers and stuff that come out
as well and learn and help out with things. Correct
we do.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
We have we have about seven hundred volunteers in our system,
and about four hundred of them are active, you know,
on a regular basis, which is amazing, Like we could
not do it without them. It's it's a lot to
organize and a lot of training, and you know, you
want to make sure that that you've got, you know,
people able to handle some of these animals that may
(17:11):
have issues where they could you know, get hurt if
they didn't have the proper training.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
So it's a lot to have that many people.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
It's like, you know, they're basically your unpaid staff, and
so it's wonderful and it's challenge all at the same time.
But we definitely could not do it without them, because
so many animals come through, and it's just it's you know,
we're nonprofits, so you can't you can't really fully staff
the way you need to, and so the volunteers are key.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, yeah, that's for sure. I know I always liked
having volunteers just in my little shelter. It always helped
out a bunch.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
So would you say that what makes your refuge different
from other shelters or sanctuaries is the fact that you
deal with kind of both sides of the coin. You
deal with domestic and wildlife as well.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Do that, Yeah, definitely. And the way that came about is.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
You know, we were working some cruelty cases early on,
and I started for just dogs and cats, and you know,
you get to the house and you know the dogs
and cats are being you know neglected, and there's a goat,
and there's a horse and there's a pig, and there's
all these things that you know, you can't leave them behind.
You know, you can't just say, oh, we're just here
for the dogs and the cats.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
So quickly we started taking in.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
You know, farm animals and horses, and you know, sometimes
the the quirky exotic pet you know, everything from hedgehogs
onto you know, ferrets and parrots and everything else. And
so we quickly, you know, started started being a rescue
that that took basically anything that was legal and and
(18:53):
then you know, we people people are able to buy
wildlife in stores, which is just horrible, like so we
ended up it's crazy to me, like fox and you know,
raccoons and skunks, and so we ended up taking in
some of the ones that you know, they bought them
and then you know, even though they weren't raised in captivity,
(19:15):
they're still a wild animal. And so yeah, so we
started taking some of those and.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
We have so we've developed.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Fifty acres of our hundred acres and the other fifty
acres was set aside just for wildlife. So we're about
to start working on that, and we want to help
native species that are in our area so the public
can learn about, you know, the animals that we we live,
you know, live in our backyards and live around us,
(19:46):
and how to peacefully coexist with them. But also you know,
we're we're a high tourist destination. We're on the Gulf
of Mexico. We're Gulf of America whatever they call it now.
And and you know we I mean we are infiltrated
with you know, tourists and especially in the summer season,
(20:07):
so you know, we have an opportunity to reach people
outside of our area as well, and so that's exciting
to us because we know we can be a tourist
destination and an alternative to when you get sunburned on
the beach, you know, somewhere to take your children. And
it's not a zoo, it's not something that exploits animals,
but a way to really truly learn about them and
(20:29):
hopefully learn to care about them, so you know that'll
pass on to future generations.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Yeah, most definitely considering the fact that you are doing
both domestic and wildlife. So what's that kind of look
like on a day to day kind of thing for you?
I Mean, do you have certain I'm assuming you have
certain volunteers and stuff that are more skilled in some
(20:56):
of the like the wildlife animals and then some that
are more towards the domestic side, or is there certain
I know, like with some of the wildlife refugees I've
had on you have to have like certain permits and
and certain training and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
For some of the animals, you definitely do, and we
don't have a lot of the wild animals right now.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
So it's not that big of an issue.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
You know, as we grow, we we definitely need to
have the right people involved because you know, it's important,
it's important to follow the rules and to make sure
that you know, we're setting the right example too. We're
not trying to have people meet these raccoons and say.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Well I want one. You know, that's not the goal.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
I mean, it's so yeah, So it's it's it's definitely
a challenge and it's different, and you know, it's a
challenge from the vetinary side because even even just with
the amount of animals non wild that we have, it's
hard to find vetinary care for you know, your your
vet that does our vet that does dogs and cats
(21:59):
knows nothing about out a parrot or a femu or
a horse. You know, it's such different specialties. So that's
been the biggest challenge I think, is to make sure
you know, we have proper veterinary chair and the and
the right specialists that are in our area because you know,
we're not a big city. It's like you said, we're rural,
(22:20):
and that's that's been a real challenge, I'll be honest.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
I can imagine because if you're taking in some of
those exotics like you mentioned, like the parrots and the
ferrets and stuff like that, you have to have that's
that know those animals and can work with them. So yeah,
I mean, now you're looking at having an exotic that
as well as you know, your large animal vet for
your horses and cows and stuff like that and bigs
(22:45):
you might get. So yeah, I mean you you really
kind of are running the whole gambit with your with
your refuge there and half and a half all that stuff.
So and it's got to be a heck of a
challenge for you being in a rural area to try
to find especially I would think, an exotic type that.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, it's true.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
We just had there was a marine animal place here
that just recently got shut down and it was in
the news, and you know, they had dolphins and all
sorts of things, and they had two giant African tortoises
and we already had several of those. You know, we
(23:26):
were used to taking in those type animals, but they
were you know, they've always been healthy and no issues.
And these tortoises had been not treated well through their lives,
so their.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Shells were not developed the.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Way that they were supposed to, and you know, we
wanted to take them and we did, but you know,
we really reached out on a national level and made
sure that we were providing what they needed moving forward,
because you know, these animals lived to be one hundred
and we wanted to do what was right by them
and make sure that you know, we were we were
(24:00):
taking to them and then doing exactly what they needed
to thrive moving forward. So yeah, it's a challenge, but
you know, I think, I don't know, sometimes.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I feel like our vets are excited.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
To research something like that because it's different, you know,
and it's not their same day to day routine patients
and spays and meters.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
And so they do a really good job.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Reaching out for a specialist, and I think the vet
community does a great job talking with one another and
you know, making sure that they're doing the right thing
for the animals.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Well that's good, and I'm glad that they were able
to research and find out mooring and get together with
other vets and stuff. That's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
It is I love it.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
So you have one hundred acres and we've talked about
some of the challenges obviously when it comes to like
the medical care and stuff like that, But what are
some of the other challenges that you guys can to
face on a basis of having that large of a refuge.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Well, you know, we we grew because there was a
need there, but you know, it's so expensive and so
you know, I feel like almost all I do is
try to figure out ways to pay for it all
because it's you know, we don't get any state funding,
we don't get any federal funding. It's it's one hundred
percent donations. So we have to be really creative and
(25:28):
telling our story and making sure our needs are out
there without you know, I hate to just constantly ask
people for money. You know, there's kind people that you know,
give on a monthly basis, and even if it's five
or ten dollars, everything adds up. But it's it's a constant,
it's a constant trying to figure out how to pay
for it. And you know, and then people when you
(25:51):
when you are this large, there's a perception that you know,
we can help every single animal out there in need
and you know, we have our cap you know, we
can't we can't help every animal that we're called about,
and it's tough, and you know, sometimes people get bent
out of shape because they you know, they did give
us five dollars a month for you know, a couple
(26:12):
of years, and then you know, they call and.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
We can't take this single kitten.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
But it may be because you know, we have a
disease going through our you shelter at the time. You know,
we take animals in from the worst situation. So it's
you know, it's very challenging to keep everybody healthy in
our quarantine area because you know, they get exposed to
other things that are coming in and so we're always
challenged with you know, the right way to say we
(26:38):
can't help you and you know, provide resources for them
to be able to help the animal themselves or you know,
it's a challenge. I mean, sometimes we're turning away one
hundred plus animals a day and that's that's heart wrenching.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
And so you know, that's that's one of the tough things.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
And it's tough for our staff that have to take
those calls or read those emails or you know, we
reached out to social media. I mean that we're just
bombarded every day with you know, people asking us to
take in animals, and we try, you know, but you
can't help them all.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
And that's I think that's really tough for people that care.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
So much and come into this thinking that they're coming
into you know, make a difference and to help animals,
but then they see so many that we can't.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
So right, you know, right, do you guys any of
like local businesses or anybody that help sponsor you gays
at all?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
We do, you know, we have, you know, we've become
really good at putting on events because that's you know,
you put on events and it brings awareness and you're
able to get sponsors for the events, but it's still charged,
you know, it's still cost.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
You to put them on. Yeah, so you know.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
We get creative, We get creative. Yeah, you know, you're
running a business within you know, our refuge. So it's
it's yeah, there's a lot that goes into it.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Yeah, I know, a couple of the rescues out here, well,
I've seen they do different things like actually one of
the larger car dealerships and Tucson. He lets them they
raffle a car off nice. Yeah, so I'm assuming maybe
they split the price of the raffle tickets. I'm not
exactly sure how they worked that all out, but anyway, Yeah,
so he'll donate a car to let him raffle, which
(28:23):
is kind of cool. And then some of the restaurants
and stuff like that, will you know, if you come
in and buy, they'll donate part of the proceeds from
the dinner to the or to whatever meal you buy
to the rescue or whatever. So and then they have
different wine tastings and stuff. I think they just had
(28:44):
an adoption event at one of the wine tasting place
or something. So yeah, it was kind of kind of
interesting things that you guys come up with.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
It.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
It is so just kind of lightening the moved up
just a little bit. Could you share rescue story that
has stayed with you and maybe really touched you.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Oh wow, there's so many, you know, there's just so many.
I mean everything from you know, like we took in.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
This one particular dog that just popped in my head.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
We took in a great Pyrenees that was you know, neglected,
and I forget where he came from the side of
the road or something, and and he ended up being
adopted and becoming a service dog and went on to
just do so many amazing things, and his owner, you know,
even wrote a book about him because it was just,
(29:41):
I mean, this dog came from the worst situation and
was turned around and became a service dog and helped
people and was a greeter at the airport and like
all these really wonderful things, and there's so many stories
like that, and you know, it's it's funny because we
have been doing this for so many years and only
what is that eighteen years ago? You know all that
(30:03):
even people that adopted puppies from me, you know in
the very beginning, you know, they've passed and so you
still get like, you know, you get letters and pictures
and stories and you know about how these animals have
change their lives. And you know, there was one man
that came early on and he adopted this.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Pit pull from us, and.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
He was just the sweetest man and he came in,
He's like, I want one of the dogs nobody else wants.
And this dog had been with us for a long
time and he adopted her. And he later on told
me that he, you know, had considered committing suicide.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
He was so depressed.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
And you know that Aliquais and this dog literally saved
his life. And you know, I get I hear from
him every Christmas. He comes out and you know he's adopted.
He's on his third dog now from us and always
takes the one nobody you know that he thinks nobody wants.
I mean, there's always somebody that a home for everyone
if you just wait long enough. But with an amazing
(31:04):
you know, you're you're literally you literally saved someone's life
with you know, providing them with the best friend. So
those stories are the ones that you just can't hear
enough of.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
And you know, when you're having a bad day and
you'll get a letter and.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
You know they're telling you, you know what this dog
you know did with them their whole lives, and it
just it really makes it all worth it.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
Yeah, I can agree with that. It does make it
more worth it. So we talked a little bit earlier
about animal cruelty things and animal laws, and you obviously
are involved quite a bit when it comes to animal
cruelty and advocate for laws and stuff like that. What
(31:50):
changes would you most like to see in the laws
or public awareness.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Well, it just depends. Like through the years, we've we've.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
Changed a lot of laws.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Like I've been involved in changing a lot of laws
for the better for animals. And the very first one
we changed was we had a case with about one
hundred or so dogs involved, and it was a clear
abuse case. You know, some are just you know, people
just don't know better, but this one they knew better.
And I was so excited that the sheriff's department took
(32:27):
it seriously, and the state attorneys took it very seriously,
and we were moving forward. And when it came down
to it, this individual was only charged with one count
of animal cruelty and there were over one hundred animals
in her care. And you know what in the world,
and that's the way the Farger law was written. No
matter how many animals you had, you can only charged
(32:48):
with one count. So that was one of the very
first laws that I was involved with changing. I went
to our representative and he took it on and we
pushed it through and so now it's one count per animal.
So look at what that does.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I mean, that just changed.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
You know, an entire state and and you know, made
it so much better for animal So we you know,
we're always trying to get you know, stiffer penalties or
you know, to change it from a misdemeanor to a
felony for certain things, and you know, we chip away
at it, but it's I don't know, there's just so
(33:23):
much and it's so hard to it's so hard to
change the law, and sometimes it takes years and years
and years, and then it's still you know, they change
it to the point where it wasn't originally what you
were trying for.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
But it's a small win. So it's you know, it's
a lot. It takes a lot of work.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
And I don't think people realize just how detailed that
is when you're when you're doing something like that.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Oh yeah, it most definitely is. Yeah. I had one,
and it was crazy how this even turned into a
felony case. I've had a couple of felony cases, but
the one that got picked up, it was crazy how
it even turned into felony cases. She didn't she I
(34:07):
don't even know. She had almost forty dogs and I
got called out to do a welfare check. And it's
not that the dogs were in bad shape or anything
like that, or it was extremely messy. But none of
them had RABY shots, none of them had their county licenses,
which they had to have at the time. And I
(34:29):
was willing to work with her on getting all this
stuff done. And I said, you know, I understand, it's expensive,
you know, and you've got a lot of dogs. So
if you just took a couple at a time and
you know, and work with me, I understand. So she
didn't even attempt to do that. Instead, she decided she
was going to get these Raby certificates downloaded and printed
(34:54):
from offline, and then she was going she was going
to forge for Narian's name.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
And oh boy, oh boy.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
Number on those documents, and she just happened to pick
our state.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Very smart.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
Oh no, because the vet she chose was our state
health vet. Oh yeah, that was even better.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
No.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
So yeah, so then of course, you know, now we're
going into like multiple because I was able to prove
that they weren't legal Rabies documents, and she literally went
into court and my attorney and it's funny you mentioned
that about every single charge, because my attorney literally picked
up every single Rabies document in court and looked right
(35:40):
at her and said, do you testify this this is
true and accurate to your knowledge? And she said yes,
almost forty times. Oh yeah, so she also her perjured herself. Wow,
So I ended up with over one hundred and some
accounts against hers. Yeah, and they ended up in the
end rolling them into like three felony counts and she
(36:03):
pled out on them. But yeah, all over not having
some rabies vaccinations and county licenses to go to that
extreme that you chose to state health vet too for wow. Yeah, anyway, somebody, no,
not a good move. Some people are very smart. But anyway,
(36:27):
so it was funny that you said, because that's literally
how my attorney did it. She every single one, she
held it up, so it was a count for every
single one.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
Yeah, and you have to get creative sometimes you do
go like sometimes we you know, it's a health department.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
You know, there's you know, you can bring the health
department and are you.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
Know, unfortunately child services a lot because you go in
and they're neglect and animals, but then there's children involved
and oh yeah, you know it's just it's all intermingled.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
So it's oh.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Yeah, most definitely we all know that. So yeah, you've
got to make it. You got to do what's right
for the animals and for the other people that might
be involved in goods and stuff. So yeah, it's crazy.
So now you have mentioned that you did get you know,
your one hundred acres donated to you, and that you
guys are now progressing with getting it developed and everything
(37:18):
for both some for domestic some for the wildlife side.
So what do you see kind of happening in the
future for Aliquis?
Speaker 3 (37:29):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Do you see any more expansion maybe down the road?
Are you guys going to try to hold it, you know,
to what you have now and call it good? What
do you kind of see going on?
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Well, if we build out the wildlife side the way
we want it to, it's it's going to be a
you know, multi year project because we you know, I
would like to get into some specialized endangered species recovery
work and you know, some really important work like that.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
So I think it's going to take us a while
to get there.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
But if I could close my eyes and see it completed,
I see this place where you know, it's a destination
for animal lovers from all over the world, and it's
a place where you know, you can come and learn
how to do.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All of what we do part of what we do,
you know.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I feel like the more we empower other people to
learn from us and learn from my mistakes and my
you know, wins that you know, if we can help
them help animals where they live, you know, we all win.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
So I see it as a.
Speaker 3 (38:32):
Huge, you know, educational facility for you know, other shelters
like I said, and other nonprofits, but also to bring
the community together and get behind you know, helping animals
of all kinds. It's we're we're one of the fastest
growing counties in the in the country, I was told.
So development is going off the charts. I mean, every
(38:54):
time I drive down the road, these huge plots of
woods are being clear cut and buildings going up on
So we're driving.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
So many of our wild animals out of their homes.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
And so it's it's so important for us to to
understand that, you know, they deserve to be here too.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
And it's it's tough.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
I've found that it's tougher for people to come and
step on board, you know, to help wild animals because
they just don't they don't really know them, or they
don't really understand the plot, and you know, most people
have had a dog or a cat, and you know
can understand that we need to save them. But you know,
we need to save we need to save the planet.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
I hate to say, but we do.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
It's there's just so much going on in this world
that you know, you would hate for your grandchildren to
not know a species because you let it go extinct
on your watch.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
So it's it's a big vision and a lot of
work to do.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
But you know, I think if we can be a
small part of that and empower other people to do
the same work, that would be something that would you know,
be a success in my mind.
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Yeah, I agree with that. I think some people would say, well,
how can they go extinct? We can clone? Now, look
what we just did. We brought we brought dire wolves back. Okay,
and you're talking about now dinosaurs. Are you people out
your minds?
Speaker 2 (40:13):
I know, no, I know, and you know they're going
to do it. I mean, I just I don't know.
Why do we keep.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Making these movies and then people call actually do what
the movie was about.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
I know it's true though it is true, you got
how much money that takes? And I just I don't know.
Speaker 3 (40:31):
If you can just but you know, even if you
did bring them back, their ecosystems that they need.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
To thrive are gone.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
So I don't know, you know.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
It's it's I don't know. I don't know how we
need to protect no spaces that we have now they've
have plenty of eat out. Yeah. I was just out
in Yellowstone.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
I was at a conference at the in Grand Teetons,
which is an amazing place and right in the Grand
Teetan National Park.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
And it was the.
Speaker 3 (40:57):
End of the season and I was there during when
the shut down first started.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
So it was it was crazy because we.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
Went in one day and you know, there were rangers
everywhere and you know, I saw Grizzly and he's trying
to cross the road and there's you know, fifty cars
with you know, they're trying to figure out a way
for this.
Speaker 2 (41:14):
Poor bear just across the road, and.
Speaker 3 (41:17):
The rangers were there and making sure he crossed safely
and all of that. But the very next day the
shutdown happened and the gates were open, but there.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Were no rangers.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
There were no people, you know, helping the animals, and
it was I was really.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
Scared for them.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Because you know, some of these people don't think I
mean they're out trying to.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Pat a buffalo. I mean really they were.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
And I just thought, you know, and it was sad
because you know, I went online and people know these
bears by number or the wolves by number. You know,
there's only a few hundred, and that's supposed to be
one of the last wild spaces left, and so it
was a humbling experience. I'm glad I got to see
some of those animals, but it was sad because they're
(41:58):
basically in the big zoo, you know, and I just,
I don't know, it was sad for me because the
reality that you know, there's not that many of them left,
you know, was first and foremost in my in my mind,
and I saw it, and I don't know, it was sad.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
You know.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
It's funny. I had Professor Phillip Ursau on the podcast
with me, and he is the assistant professor of bison
studies at South Dakota State. Oh wow, and so we
were talking about I couldn't help it because I see
all these crazy people out there trying to pet the bison,
and it's like quit it, just quit it.
Speaker 3 (42:35):
Yeah, I know, I called them the wrong name.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Oh no, that's okay, But I mean they a lot
of people. They do. Bison and buffalo do look quite
a bit alike. But yeah, it was just too funny
because we literally talked about that stuff because I had
to mention it because I've seen so much of it.
I'm like, and like we said, I said, the one
the woman was literally trying to shove ea piled up
there to get a picture with it, and I'm like,
(43:03):
are you stupid?
Speaker 2 (43:05):
I know, I know they're not animals.
Speaker 3 (43:09):
The same with the bears, Like they feed the bears
and then they you know, yeah, scratch a human and
then they kill the bear and it's like.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Come on, I mean, just yeah, I don't know, I
just hate it.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
Yeah, I know. We have the people around here that
like to feed, and it's so funny because they don't
put two and two together. So they'll feed the small
wildlife like the squirrels and you know, that kind of
stuff at which brings in, of course, you know, other
wildlife like skunks, and but then now you got the
predators also coming in because you're providing them with a
smortgage board of small animals and they don't realize that
(43:43):
they're the ones that drew the Mountainlon or the Bobcat
into their yard. That's what kills me. It's like, are
you people you really? I just don't even know. I
think they get dumber every year.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Oat I agree.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
My goodness. Anyway, Okay, So for our listeners out there,
if they would like to try and help support you
guys's mission, no matter where they may be at, how
can they help you guys out How can they find
your website to go donate if you can do it
through there, or you know, what can they do to
(44:21):
help you guys?
Speaker 3 (44:23):
Well, our website is www dot Aliqua dot org and
it's a l a q u a dot org. So
there's all sorts of information there and there's a ways
to help button which you know, there's everything from you know,
donating money to you know, sponsoring beds and food and
(44:44):
you know Amazon wish lists and even.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Donating cars, you know, anything that you no longer want.
Speaker 3 (44:50):
We're like really good at taking free to get home things,
even if they're buildings.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
It's funny.
Speaker 3 (44:55):
But yeah, and then we would let you know, we
would love for people to come visit it. I mean,
we're a beautiful area, and our facility is very welcoming
and you know, you can come and learn more about it.
You can come volunteer. You know, there's lots of ways
to help and follow us on social media. We have
great social media channels with all of our fun animal
(45:17):
stories and it's just an uplifting thing to watch all
of the good work that we do.
Speaker 1 (45:22):
And you guys are located in Florida on that side
of the Gulf, right we are.
Speaker 3 (45:27):
We're in northwest Florida, so we're in the Florida Panhandle,
which is kind of up to the northwest.
Speaker 2 (45:33):
Side of this Florida, So it's.
Speaker 3 (45:36):
It's still you know, it's still got some of that
wild Florida feel to it.
Speaker 2 (45:41):
There's all kinds of things to do other than the beach.
Speaker 3 (45:43):
There's you know, natural springs and rivers and trails and
it's a beautiful part of the country.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
Good good, you guys, haven't I have to I have
to ask because I've watched my shows. You guys haven't
had any problems with any of the bowls and stuff
that Florida's been having issues with. Have you up in
your area?
Speaker 2 (46:03):
No, it gets cold here, so they're not able to
make it through the winter.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Yeah, I've heard that, but I I know people I
love to watch different shows. I watched the Swamp People Serpent.
They go out and are you know, catching these snakes
to try to to save the wildlife and in the
ex system. So there's they were They were saying that
(46:28):
they're starting it looks like they're starting to adapt to
the Cold War because they're starting to move for they are.
So that's why I was wondering farther north.
Speaker 3 (46:35):
Yeah, they're not to us yet, but I mean they're reproducing.
Speaker 2 (46:39):
It just unprecedented. It's scary because they've developed.
Speaker 3 (46:46):
Some of the newer ones that newer strings. I don't
know if that's the proper word for it.
Speaker 2 (46:50):
But they're becoming a little more aggressive as well.
Speaker 1 (46:53):
And so yeah, yeah, yeah, they were saying that there's
two different varieties of we're out there that have been
now meeting and they're combining and it's making them more aggressive. Yeah. Yeah,
that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (47:08):
It is crazy, I know, I know.
Speaker 1 (47:10):
And then those females can lay forty to fifty eggs
apiece and there's yeah that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (47:16):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (47:17):
Wow. Well, hopefully they don't adapt enough to where they'll
finally be able to get really far north and maybe
they'll I know, Oh my goodness, what do you do? Well,
we're getting ready to wrap up the show, So if
you for one last thing, if you could leave, the
listeners would say one message about animals and second chances.
(47:40):
What would that be?
Speaker 2 (47:43):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (47:44):
I just say, support, you know, support your local organizations.
Everyone's doing such hard work and you know they they
need your support, They need you volunteer hours, they need
you know, you to bring awareness to what they're the
hard work that they're doing. So I think you can
do something in your own community and it just really
makes a difference. So I just encourage all the viewers
(48:05):
to just learn more about it and you know, be
part of this solution, not the problem.
Speaker 1 (48:12):
Yeah, exactly. And it really does take a village when
you've got to get things done. So you know, if
you guys, you know, are like Lori and you don't
feel that your animal laws are up to par and
where they should be, start contacting your your representatives and
stuff and your your you know, your local or your
county or your state whichever, and start letting them know
(48:35):
you're not happy with these laws. You want things changed.
You want stiffer penalties for animal abuse and cruelty, you know,
things like that, right, But if you guys don't speak
up and talk, it's not going to happen. That's the
that's the worst. So all right, well, Laurie, I really
appreciate you being on tonight and filling us in on
Aliqua and your guys's mission and everything that you do
(48:58):
over there. It's pretty cool. And if I ever get
back of it, because I'm in Arizona, but if I
ever make it back over to that side, I might
have to stop down in there and see you guys
and check out the refuge. I know there's a lot
of places I know, and there's a lot of places
I'd love to go after doing these podcasts. And there's
actually the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Rescues down there as well, in
(49:22):
Lower Lower Southern Florida. I think if I remember it, yeah, yeah,
and I've been. Yeah, I'd love to go see you know,
they run the podcast and we talked about chimps and.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
Stuff, so wonderful.
Speaker 1 (49:35):
I know, I'm just gonna have to make this round
trip maybe one day if I ever get to retire,
it would be great. But you got to have the
money to do those things, so I got to keep
working right.
Speaker 2 (49:45):
Now, understand, Well, thank you for having me on. I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (49:51):
Yeah, it was great talking with you and learning more.
And right now I'm just gonna go ahead and announce
my next couple upcoming podcasts. You're welcome to stand if
you like, but I know most people would like to
get going and doing things, especially when it's later their time,
so you're welcome to jump off and not listening if
you don't want.
Speaker 2 (50:08):
Well, thank you. You have a blessed day.
Speaker 1 (50:10):
All right, Thanks, you have a great day too.
Speaker 2 (50:12):
Okay, bye bye.
Speaker 1 (50:15):
All right, everybody, So Laurie just jumped off. I hope
you guys enjoyed that podcast.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
It was great.
Speaker 1 (50:21):
I thought it was a really good conversation. I had
a great time obviously talking with her about some of
the animal stuff because we have a bit in common there,
but we also learned quite a bit about Aliqua and
what they do. So if you guys are ever in
the Florida area, go by and check them out. If
you want to help them out, go check out their website.
I will be putting a link to the website on
(50:45):
my Facebook page for the podcast as well, like I
do for everybody. So yeah, go check them out, guys
and give them a hand. What they're doing is great stuff.
So for the next podcast, actually am going to be
off for the next weeks because the next podcast would
have actually been on Thanksgiving Day, the twenty seventh, and
I'm not going to be doing my podcast on Thanksgiving
(51:07):
Day because like most of you, I'm going to be
enjoying a turkey dinner and I am going to be
as stuffed as that turkey when I'm done, and I'm
not going to want to be doing a podcast and talking.
So I will be off for the rest of this
month and then I will be back on December fourth,
And on that Thursday, I am going to have Jennifer
(51:32):
cat Purr on with me. Yes, that is her name,
and I know I love it, and she is going
to be talking with us about happy feed line homes.
So if you guys are kitty cat owners, you might
want to tune in and listen to this podcast because
Jennifer is going to be talking about how we can
(51:54):
help make our feend lions more happy in their homes
and maybe you away with some of those issues that
you may be having, say if you're having, you know,
any kind of wars between your cats, for maybe litter
boxes or space and things like that. So tune in
on December fourth and listen to Jennifer give us some
(52:16):
tips on how to make our feelines happy. And then
I am going to have December eighteenth. I'm going to
have Lauren anders Brown as my guest. She's going to
be talking about pads pass and this is about pet travel,
our pets and traveling. I should say, not just pet travel,
(52:38):
but you know, when we have to travel with our pets,
a lot of us don't understand or know about some
of their requirements that are in place when we want
to travel with our pets, especially if we're going internationally.
And you, guys, Jennifer, I'm sorry, Jennifer. Lauren has endured
(53:01):
all this grueling pet travel stuff and she has some
pretty good tips that she's willing to give out to
help you guys maybe prepare yourselves when you have to
travel with your pets. And I will say, you know,
most of a lot of the things have to do
with international quarantines and stuff like that, but also Hawaii,
because Hawaii doesn't really have rabies over there. Ever, there's
(53:25):
a lot of requirements that have to be met for
you to take your pets to Hawaii as well. So
if you guys are ever planning to travel with any
of your pets and you would like some great tips
on what to do to get ready for that travel,
then you might want to go ahead and tune in
on December eighteenth and listen to my discussion with Lauren
(53:47):
about pads Pass and travel with your pets. And then
after that, guys, I will be off until the beginning
of the new year. The next podcast won't be until
January eighth, so have a couple of weeks off after
the pads Pass podcast, and then I'll be back with
(54:07):
some new ones. But anyway, so hopefully you guys enjoyed
the podcast tonight like I hope y'all did, and again,
don't forget to come back on December fourth if you're
a kiddie owner or even if you would like more
tips on how to make your feenline happy and it's home,
and then on December eighteenth to listen to me and
Lauren talk about pads Pass and pet travel and how
(54:29):
you can hopefully get yourselves ready for that kind of
grueling situation, because it can be quite harrowing from my understanding.
But with that, everybody, I am glad you all tuned in,
and hopefully you'll be back to listen in for the
next podcast. And I hope you all stay safe out there,
(54:49):
and I hope you all have a really great, great
weekend coming up. And I hope you all have a
very very good Thanksgiving Day, because obviously I won't be
back on before Thanksgiving, so I hope you all have
a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy watching the Macy's Day Parade or
(55:13):
whatever you watch, and the football, and enjoy having dinner
with your families and just being together everybody. That's what
it's about. So all right, and I'll be back with
you guys soon. Bye now,
Good evening everybody, and welcome to Calling All Creatures. I
am your host, Lori, and tonight I hope you guys
will find the podcast as interesting as I will. I
have Lori Hood on with me tonight. She's the founder
of the Laqua Animal Refuge. I hope I said that correctly,
(00:21):
and she's on tonight to tell us more about the
refuge and why she started it and what some of
the animals are that she helps out. Because she doesn't
just help out the domestics, she also helps out the
wildlife with the rescue. So I think you guys should
enjoy this one and I'm looking forward. Thank you for
(00:42):
being on tonight, Laurie. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So let's kind of start out with what inspired you
to start a Laqua Animal Refuge back in I guess
it was what two thousand and seven.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yeah, it's actually Aliqua. Aliqua the only one that mispronounced it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
It's a Native American name after our areas, so it's
a little bit tricky, but it's Aliqua Animal Refuge.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
And you know what, my last name is five and
just oh goodness, I just screwed up a Native American name.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yes, yes, so sure. So So back in two thousand
and seven, I had just had my two children back
to back, two.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Boys, and and.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Something just came in front of me that you almost
couldn't deny. You know, once you know something, you can't
know it. I guess it was one of those situations.
And long story, but we were looking for a puppy
for a lady that was helping me with my kids
when I was pregnant, and I went on our county website.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I said, you need to adopt, you know, And and
went on the county.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Website and it was a little puppy and it looked
just like one she had lost. So we were excited
and I started calling about trying to get this puppy
adopted for her.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
But that led to a very.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Disturbing reality that the puppy had been picked up in
our county but transferred several counties away because our county
was without an animal shelter animal control facility of any kind,
as was seven surrounding county.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
So we were in an area of seven counties.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Without a shelter at all, and when animals were being
picked up from those areas, they were being transferred to
a holding facility that was not open to the public.
They literally took them in, held them and euthanized them.
So we were almost at one hundred percent euthanasia rate
in seven counties in two thousand and seven. And when
I found that out, I just had to do something
(02:48):
about it, like that was totally unacceptable, and so I
started aliqui am were refuge to adjust the problem and
it just grew from there.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Wow, that's just crazy. One hundred percent use in Nasia
rates of over seven counties. I can't believe they didn't
have any kind of a shelter or even collaborate together
to try to build a shelter. That is just crazy.
But then again, I have to think back about my
own county here. I'm not even going to get into it,
(03:19):
and we still don't have a county shelter either, and
they're trying to rely on two little city shelters that
do not have enough realm.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, I mean sometimes, you know, and you know, it takes.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Somebody to really advocate for that, because you know, a
lot of these counties are rural and they're you know,
they're poor counties, and you know, they don't even have
proper health care for humans or housing for humans. So
now animals unfortunately fall at the very bottom of the
wish list and it's a shame. So fortunately they depend
(03:52):
on private shelters like mine to come in and try
to be the band aid.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
I did animal control for twelve years, so oh you did, Yes,
I did, so, I completely know. And as a matter
of fact, I worked for my county. We have, yeah,
in two different local municipalities, and we as county officers.
Back when I was there, we were pushing for our
(04:17):
county to build our own shelter because we knew we
knew the stress. At that point, then they had four
local municipality shelters that would take in animals from the
county and now it's down to two. So yeah, we
pushed for way back years and years ago and never
got done. And then just more recently we were pushing.
(04:38):
It's been being pushed for again and some stuff went
through and they were actually able to acquire like state
grant funds to help build the shelter, and that's wonderful. Yeah,
it wouldn't be if they'd use it, but yeah, we
still haven't got a shelter. And this has been a
couple of years, so it's like and then never trying
(05:01):
to buy a shelter. But I think because usually when
you write a grant, because I've had to write them,
you have to use the money for what you specify
in the grant. So like literally, if you specify, you know,
you're you probably know you you know what your refuge.
If you write for a certain thing, that's where your
money is going to have to go. Now, if you
(05:21):
say you're going to build a you know, new shelter
and match money to this money to do it, then
that's what you got to do. You can't go out
and try to build or buy something. So yeah, it's
it's just been one of those things. So I don't
know where we're at at this point on trying to
kill that. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. So sorry,
I didn't mean to get off topic, but yeah, no.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
It's okay, it's okay, and you know, you're seeing it
firsthand and that's what's so hard.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
And so many people.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Think that the Animal Constall officers are the bad guys,
but they're not. They're just they're trying to make a
difference and you know, they unfortunately are the ones that
have to go out and do the work that no
one else wants to.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Do, and so thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
I mean, it's it's hard to find passionate people that
stick with that because.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It's so difficult to watch it is.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
It's very hard. And I actually haven't been in that
field for nine years now, but my friends still that
I worked with here. She actually moved up by Phoenix
and she still does it up in that area. But yeah,
it's just one of those things that you know, we
do see it firsthand, and we walk a very fine
(06:29):
line because you know, we're the ones that have to
try to advocate for the animals, but we're also the
ones that are the ones in the end that have
to take their lives, if you know, right, And so
especially when you're people don't understand when we have to
go in and do like these felony type cases where
there's been neglect and abuse and stuff and we're taking
those animals out of there and then they get euthanized
(06:51):
because of space or because you know someone that's crazy.
You know it is, and that just kills you inside,
but it is, it's crazy. So thank goodness, we're making
at least trying to make strides. I mean, more people
have become more proactive when it comes to you know,
animal control and things like that, but there's still long
(07:13):
ways to go. Hopefully we'll get there someday.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yes, there is. There is a long way to cass.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
I know, you take animals as a rescue. I know
it's crazy for you guys, so believe me. I still deal.
I have rescues around here. I still am involved with
them and do things and help, you know, promote them
and stuff like that. So yeah, I know.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, we worked directly with all the sheriff's department. That
was something that immediately came upon that you know, started
an organization and all these animals were coming in, and
there were animals coming in with horrific.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Things that had been done to them.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
And found out that that there had never been an
animal cruelty prosecution ever in my county since the county began.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
And I couldn't believe that, and so.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I went to the you know, Shaff's department, a sharge
department said the state attorneys didn't take it seriously. I
went to the State Attorney's office and they're like, well,
they don't give us what we.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Need to build the case.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
So I started teaching animal cruelty training classes and.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
It was amazing.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Because these officers, it's not that they didn't want to
do anything, it says they didn't know how to, you know,
what the process was. I mean, they barely touch on
it when they're you know, learning how to be a
law enforcement officer. And so we gave them the tools
that they need. We taught them what the laws were.
My organization comes in and when there's a large hoarding
(08:40):
case or cruelty case that you know, involves sometimes as
many as two hundred animals, well actually the largest we
took was four hundred. But we figure out how to
take those animals and do the medical work and build
the case around it, even if we have to, you know, we.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
End up paying for it ourselves. We just put it
out there.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And the public has been very kind to donate to
make sure we are able to take care of these animals.
And you know, without that, it's very hard to build
a case because.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
You know, it's so expensive.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
I mean, they come in just the worst of the worst,
and it takes so much.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
To get them back, and so, you know, that's something
very near to my heart. Because what you just said, it's.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Heart wrenching to take these animals out of such a
horrible place where they've lived their lives knowing you know,
nothing but fear and you know, sadness, and then you
want to give them the life that they deserve. So
you know, it's tough, and it does put a strain
on your organization because there's so many of them, but
(09:44):
you know, we try to take every single one that
we're you know, we're asked to, and sometimes.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
It's a lot.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, yeah, I understand that. I know. Like I said,
I see what goes on around here in our county
and we're kind of a more rural county two and it's,
you know, kind of the same thing. Everybody's kind of
scattered out and around, and yeah, it's it's a big thing.
So it would be wonderful if if one day we
could get the county shelter in place and have a
(10:13):
It's not going to solve the problem, obviously. I'm not
saying that it would help the smaller community shelters obviously,
because then they would just which actually it wouldn't in
a way because I know people, well, you could use
the smaller city shelters for the overflow, and I'm thinking, okay,
that would be within a couple of days, because that's
(10:35):
just how that goes.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
You.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
People don't understand this. It doesn't matter how big or
how many shelters you build, they're always going to be
full because yeah, because of the way society is. So yeah,
so yeah, it just will never end unless people start
changing their mindsets and what they're doing. That's and you know,
I was talking to someone the other day, you know
a little bit about this too, because you know, people
(11:00):
are always saying, you know, spae and neuter is a
very important thing. You know, get your pets and stuff
spade and neutered and things like that, so you're not
having you know, the accidental litters and everything. But another
important thing is is if your dog gets out of
your yard, go get it. Quit leaving it at the shelter.
Just going and getting another dog, you know, I mean, seriously,
(11:20):
let's quit be in the throwaway society. That's the hugest
thing in our society is oh well it got out
of the yard, it's at the shelter, It'll find a
new home. I'm just going to get another dog because
I don't want to put effort in to going down
there to pick up my dog or maybe you know,
having to face reprimand or a fee, you know, which. Actually,
the shelters here, because they're so overfull all the time
(11:42):
a good part of the time, aren't even charging fees
to give your dogs back. They just want them out,
especially after like the holidays July fourth and stuff. They
don't charge to give the dogs back.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
So yeah, it's just crazy that these animals are being
left in these facilities when they get out of their
yards because people that's what they do. They just it's okay,
I don't know if that's what they're thinking, that it'll
just find a new home, so they're not going to
put the effort in and instead they just don't. Yeah,
they just think, well, maybe it'll come home on its own,
(12:13):
and if it doesn't, oh, well you know that thing too.
So I don't know anyway. So yeah, the mindset and
people is what has to change before we'll be able
to address the animal overpopulation problem.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Correctly agree, So.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Well, anyway, so now that we've kind of talked a
little bit about that stuff, let's kind of go back
to where we were at. So you guys started back
in two thousand and seven because you were helping the
lady to adopt the puppy. So I'm assuming that was
your moment where you you know, kind of pushed you.
You said, to get the refuge and everything going, and
you have gone back and rescued multiple animals over time.
(12:57):
Let's go ahead and take a look at how you
would describe the Refugees mission in your own words, so
that the listeners out there know, well.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
We've been through many phases. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Initially I was just trying to give these animals another option,
you know, and give them a chance to find a
home and you know, be seen in.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
That sort of thing. And then it grew into.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Realizing that, you know, we needed to, like what you said,
change society, you know, and create a more empathetic world for.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You know, animals that live with us. And so I
started doing.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Like field trips and trying to educate children and reach
them at a younger age. And I started the refuge
on about ten acres of my own property, and you know,
I had a barn and that sort of thing, and
it kind of grew into you know, a pretty successful
(13:58):
piece of land. I guess it was kind of mishmash.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Together, I guess, because it was just as we had
a little.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Bit of money or somebody you know, donated to build
something that we just added on, but we weren't able
to fully you know, get those children out. We couldn't
you know, we wanted to reach seniors, we wanted to
reach special needs, we wanted to do equantsies to therapy classes,
and you know, we really wanted to make a difference
touching human lives as well.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And so we were donated one hundred acres.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Of land down the road and that was about eight
years ago, I guess, and as we raised the.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Funds to build, we started building on that.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Property and that's completely changed everything because we're able to
do those programs and really make a difference with children.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's just so important.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Like so many kids come out and they've never seen,
you know, been able to touch a horse or or
meet a goat, or you know, see some of.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
The animals that they don't.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Know anything about because they've never had the opportun unity
to meet or touch one. And this past year we
I think we had twenty two hundred kids come through
last year and we're on target this year to do
double that I and that's just amazing. And so with
all of that, it's it's we're just trying to you know,
our main mission is just to create a more kinder
(15:19):
and empathetic world. I mean, that's just what is the
first and foremost of everything that we do, and we
try to bring that into every meeting and you know,
make sure staff and volunteers are acting in that way.
And it's it's a challenge in today's time because you know,
it's frustrating when you encounter certain things, but that's kind
(15:39):
of our goal.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
And you know, we're making a den in it.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know, we'll never we'll never completely get there, but
it's important and so that's that's kind of what we
strive for.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Right yeah, I mean, and it's a great mission. You know,
a couple of the rescues around here, you know, they're
doing some of the stuff to the horse rescues. I know,
she you know, does some education and stuff with the horses.
She has volunteers. They come out, they literally help to
work with the horses and uh, you know, make sure
(16:15):
they're you know, rideable and things like that for people
for when they're adopted and things like that. So these guys.
It's a pretty cool program that they've got going on
out there, And I think I thought they were going
to set something up for like veterans to come out
and do stuff or they maybe they already wonderful. Yeah,
so it sounds like you kind of do the same thing.
(16:37):
You know, you're doing your education and stuff like that
with kids and people coming out, and I'm assuming you
probably have your own volunteers and stuff that come out
as well and learn and help out with things. Correct
we do.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
We have we have about seven hundred volunteers in our system,
and about four hundred of them are active, you know,
on a regular basis, which is amazing, Like we could
not do it without them. It's it's a lot to
organize and a lot of training, and you know, you
want to make sure that that you've got, you know,
people able to handle some of these animals that may
(17:11):
have issues where they could you know, get hurt if
they didn't have the proper training.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
So it's a lot to have that many people.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
It's like, you know, they're basically your unpaid staff, and
so it's wonderful and it's challenge all at the same time.
But we definitely could not do it without them, because
so many animals come through, and it's just it's you know,
we're nonprofits, so you can't you can't really fully staff
the way you need to, and so the volunteers are key.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, yeah, that's for sure. I know I always liked
having volunteers just in my little shelter. It always helped
out a bunch.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
So would you say that what makes your refuge different
from other shelters or sanctuaries is the fact that you
deal with kind of both sides of the coin. You
deal with domestic and wildlife as well.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Do that, Yeah, definitely. And the way that came about is.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
You know, we were working some cruelty cases early on,
and I started for just dogs and cats, and you know,
you get to the house and you know the dogs
and cats are being you know neglected, and there's a goat,
and there's a horse and there's a pig, and there's
all these things that you know, you can't leave them behind.
You know, you can't just say, oh, we're just here
for the dogs and the cats.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
So quickly we started taking in.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
You know, farm animals and horses, and you know, sometimes
the the quirky exotic pet you know, everything from hedgehogs
onto you know, ferrets and parrots and everything else. And
so we quickly, you know, started started being a rescue
that that took basically anything that was legal and and
(18:53):
then you know, we people people are able to buy
wildlife in stores, which is just horrible, like so we
ended up it's crazy to me, like fox and you know,
raccoons and skunks, and so we ended up taking in
some of the ones that you know, they bought them
and then you know, even though they weren't raised in captivity,
(19:15):
they're still a wild animal. And so yeah, so we
started taking some of those and.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
We have so we've developed.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Fifty acres of our hundred acres and the other fifty
acres was set aside just for wildlife. So we're about
to start working on that, and we want to help
native species that are in our area so the public
can learn about, you know, the animals that we we live,
you know, live in our backyards and live around us,
(19:46):
and how to peacefully coexist with them. But also you know,
we're we're a high tourist destination. We're on the Gulf
of Mexico. We're Gulf of America whatever they call it now.
And and you know we I mean we are infiltrated
with you know, tourists and especially in the summer season,
(20:07):
so you know, we have an opportunity to reach people
outside of our area as well, and so that's exciting
to us because we know we can be a tourist
destination and an alternative to when you get sunburned on
the beach, you know, somewhere to take your children. And
it's not a zoo, it's not something that exploits animals,
but a way to really truly learn about them and
(20:29):
hopefully learn to care about them, so you know that'll
pass on to future generations.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Yeah, most definitely considering the fact that you are doing
both domestic and wildlife. So what's that kind of look
like on a day to day kind of thing for you?
I Mean, do you have certain I'm assuming you have
certain volunteers and stuff that are more skilled in some
(20:56):
of the like the wildlife animals and then some that
are more towards the domestic side, or is there certain
I know, like with some of the wildlife refugees I've
had on you have to have like certain permits and
and certain training and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
For some of the animals, you definitely do, and we
don't have a lot of the wild animals right now.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
So it's not that big of an issue.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
You know, as we grow, we we definitely need to
have the right people involved because you know, it's important,
it's important to follow the rules and to make sure
that you know, we're setting the right example too. We're
not trying to have people meet these raccoons and say.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Well I want one. You know, that's not the goal.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
I mean, it's so yeah, So it's it's it's definitely
a challenge and it's different, and you know, it's a
challenge from the vetinary side because even even just with
the amount of animals non wild that we have, it's
hard to find vetinary care for you know, your your
vet that does our vet that does dogs and cats
(21:59):
knows nothing about out a parrot or a femu or
a horse. You know, it's such different specialties. So that's
been the biggest challenge I think, is to make sure
you know, we have proper veterinary chair and the and
the right specialists that are in our area because you know,
we're not a big city. It's like you said, we're rural,
(22:20):
and that's that's been a real challenge, I'll be honest.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
I can imagine because if you're taking in some of
those exotics like you mentioned, like the parrots and the
ferrets and stuff like that, you have to have that's
that know those animals and can work with them. So yeah,
I mean, now you're looking at having an exotic that
as well as you know, your large animal vet for
your horses and cows and stuff like that and bigs
(22:45):
you might get. So yeah, I mean you you really
kind of are running the whole gambit with your with
your refuge there and half and a half all that stuff.
So and it's got to be a heck of a
challenge for you being in a rural area to try
to find especially I would think, an exotic type that.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, it's true.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
We just had there was a marine animal place here
that just recently got shut down and it was in
the news, and you know, they had dolphins and all
sorts of things, and they had two giant African tortoises
and we already had several of those. You know, we
(23:26):
were used to taking in those type animals, but they
were you know, they've always been healthy and no issues.
And these tortoises had been not treated well through their lives,
so their.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Shells were not developed the.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Way that they were supposed to, and you know, we
wanted to take them and we did, but you know,
we really reached out on a national level and made
sure that we were providing what they needed moving forward,
because you know, these animals lived to be one hundred
and we wanted to do what was right by them
and make sure that you know, we were we were
(24:00):
taking to them and then doing exactly what they needed
to thrive moving forward. So yeah, it's a challenge, but
you know, I think, I don't know, sometimes.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I feel like our vets are excited.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
To research something like that because it's different, you know,
and it's not their same day to day routine patients
and spays and meters.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
And so they do a really good job.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Reaching out for a specialist, and I think the vet
community does a great job talking with one another and
you know, making sure that they're doing the right thing
for the animals.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Well that's good, and I'm glad that they were able
to research and find out mooring and get together with
other vets and stuff. That's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
It is I love it.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
So you have one hundred acres and we've talked about
some of the challenges obviously when it comes to like
the medical care and stuff like that, But what are
some of the other challenges that you guys can to
face on a basis of having that large of a refuge.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Well, you know, we we grew because there was a
need there, but you know, it's so expensive and so
you know, I feel like almost all I do is
try to figure out ways to pay for it all
because it's you know, we don't get any state funding,
we don't get any federal funding. It's it's one hundred
percent donations. So we have to be really creative and
(25:28):
telling our story and making sure our needs are out
there without you know, I hate to just constantly ask
people for money. You know, there's kind people that you know,
give on a monthly basis, and even if it's five
or ten dollars, everything adds up. But it's it's a constant,
it's a constant trying to figure out how to pay
for it. And you know, and then people when you
(25:51):
when you are this large, there's a perception that you know,
we can help every single animal out there in need
and you know, we have our cap you know, we
can't we can't help every animal that we're called about,
and it's tough, and you know, sometimes people get bent
out of shape because they you know, they did give
us five dollars a month for you know, a couple
(26:12):
of years, and then you know, they call and.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
We can't take this single kitten.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
But it may be because you know, we have a
disease going through our you shelter at the time. You know,
we take animals in from the worst situation. So it's
you know, it's very challenging to keep everybody healthy in
our quarantine area because you know, they get exposed to
other things that are coming in and so we're always
challenged with you know, the right way to say we
(26:38):
can't help you and you know, provide resources for them
to be able to help the animal themselves or you know,
it's a challenge. I mean, sometimes we're turning away one
hundred plus animals a day and that's that's heart wrenching.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
And so you know, that's that's one of the tough things.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
And it's tough for our staff that have to take
those calls or read those emails or you know, we
reached out to social media. I mean that we're just
bombarded every day with you know, people asking us to
take in animals, and we try, you know, but you
can't help them all.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
And that's I think that's really tough for people that care.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
So much and come into this thinking that they're coming
into you know, make a difference and to help animals,
but then they see so many that we can't.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
So right, you know, right, do you guys any of
like local businesses or anybody that help sponsor you gays
at all?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
We do, you know, we have, you know, we've become
really good at putting on events because that's you know,
you put on events and it brings awareness and you're
able to get sponsors for the events, but it's still charged,
you know, it's still cost.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
You to put them on. Yeah, so you know.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
We get creative, We get creative. Yeah, you know, you're
running a business within you know, our refuge. So it's
it's yeah, there's a lot that goes into it.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Yeah, I know, a couple of the rescues out here, well,
I've seen they do different things like actually one of
the larger car dealerships and Tucson. He lets them they
raffle a car off nice. Yeah, so I'm assuming maybe
they split the price of the raffle tickets. I'm not
exactly sure how they worked that all out, but anyway, Yeah,
so he'll donate a car to let him raffle, which
(28:23):
is kind of cool. And then some of the restaurants
and stuff like that, will you know, if you come
in and buy, they'll donate part of the proceeds from
the dinner to the or to whatever meal you buy
to the rescue or whatever. So and then they have
different wine tastings and stuff. I think they just had
(28:44):
an adoption event at one of the wine tasting place
or something. So yeah, it was kind of kind of
interesting things that you guys come up with.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
It.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
It is so just kind of lightening the moved up
just a little bit. Could you share rescue story that
has stayed with you and maybe really touched you.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Oh wow, there's so many, you know, there's just so many.
I mean everything from you know, like we took in.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
This one particular dog that just popped in my head.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
We took in a great Pyrenees that was you know, neglected,
and I forget where he came from the side of
the road or something, and and he ended up being
adopted and becoming a service dog and went on to
just do so many amazing things, and his owner, you know,
even wrote a book about him because it was just,
(29:41):
I mean, this dog came from the worst situation and
was turned around and became a service dog and helped
people and was a greeter at the airport and like
all these really wonderful things, and there's so many stories
like that, and you know, it's it's funny because we
have been doing this for so many years and only
what is that eighteen years ago? You know all that
(30:03):
even people that adopted puppies from me, you know in
the very beginning, you know, they've passed and so you
still get like, you know, you get letters and pictures
and stories and you know about how these animals have
change their lives. And you know, there was one man
that came early on and he adopted this.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Pit pull from us, and.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
He was just the sweetest man and he came in,
He's like, I want one of the dogs nobody else wants.
And this dog had been with us for a long
time and he adopted her. And he later on told
me that he, you know, had considered committing suicide.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
He was so depressed.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
And you know that Aliquais and this dog literally saved
his life. And you know, I get I hear from
him every Christmas. He comes out and you know he's adopted.
He's on his third dog now from us and always
takes the one nobody you know that he thinks nobody wants.
I mean, there's always somebody that a home for everyone
if you just wait long enough. But with an amazing
(31:04):
you know, you're you're literally you literally saved someone's life
with you know, providing them with the best friend. So
those stories are the ones that you just can't hear
enough of.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
And you know, when you're having a bad day and
you'll get a letter and.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
You know they're telling you, you know what this dog
you know did with them their whole lives, and it
just it really makes it all worth it.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
Yeah, I can agree with that. It does make it
more worth it. So we talked a little bit earlier
about animal cruelty things and animal laws, and you obviously
are involved quite a bit when it comes to animal
cruelty and advocate for laws and stuff like that. What
(31:50):
changes would you most like to see in the laws
or public awareness.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Well, it just depends. Like through the years, we've we've.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
Changed a lot of laws.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Like I've been involved in changing a lot of laws
for the better for animals. And the very first one
we changed was we had a case with about one
hundred or so dogs involved, and it was a clear
abuse case. You know, some are just you know, people
just don't know better, but this one they knew better.
And I was so excited that the sheriff's department took
(32:27):
it seriously, and the state attorneys took it very seriously,
and we were moving forward. And when it came down
to it, this individual was only charged with one count
of animal cruelty and there were over one hundred animals
in her care. And you know what in the world,
and that's the way the Farger law was written. No
matter how many animals you had, you can only charged
(32:48):
with one count. So that was one of the very
first laws that I was involved with changing. I went
to our representative and he took it on and we
pushed it through and so now it's one count per animal.
So look at what that does.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I mean, that just changed.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
You know, an entire state and and you know, made
it so much better for animal So we you know,
we're always trying to get you know, stiffer penalties or
you know, to change it from a misdemeanor to a
felony for certain things, and you know, we chip away
at it, but it's I don't know, there's just so
(33:23):
much and it's so hard to it's so hard to
change the law, and sometimes it takes years and years
and years, and then it's still you know, they change
it to the point where it wasn't originally what you
were trying for.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
But it's a small win. So it's you know, it's
a lot. It takes a lot of work.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
And I don't think people realize just how detailed that
is when you're when you're doing something like that.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Oh yeah, it most definitely is. Yeah. I had one,
and it was crazy how this even turned into a
felony case. I've had a couple of felony cases, but
the one that got picked up, it was crazy how
it even turned into felony cases. She didn't she I
(34:07):
don't even know. She had almost forty dogs and I
got called out to do a welfare check. And it's
not that the dogs were in bad shape or anything
like that, or it was extremely messy. But none of
them had RABY shots, none of them had their county licenses,
which they had to have at the time. And I
(34:29):
was willing to work with her on getting all this
stuff done. And I said, you know, I understand, it's expensive,
you know, and you've got a lot of dogs. So
if you just took a couple at a time and
you know, and work with me, I understand. So she
didn't even attempt to do that. Instead, she decided she
was going to get these Raby certificates downloaded and printed
(34:54):
from offline, and then she was going she was going
to forge for Narian's name.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
And oh boy, oh boy.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
Number on those documents, and she just happened to pick
our state.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Very smart.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
Oh no, because the vet she chose was our state
health vet. Oh yeah, that was even better.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
No.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
So yeah, so then of course, you know, now we're
going into like multiple because I was able to prove
that they weren't legal Rabies documents, and she literally went
into court and my attorney and it's funny you mentioned
that about every single charge, because my attorney literally picked
up every single Rabies document in court and looked right
(35:40):
at her and said, do you testify this this is
true and accurate to your knowledge? And she said yes,
almost forty times. Oh yeah, so she also her perjured herself. Wow,
So I ended up with over one hundred and some
accounts against hers. Yeah, and they ended up in the
end rolling them into like three felony counts and she
(36:03):
pled out on them. But yeah, all over not having
some rabies vaccinations and county licenses to go to that
extreme that you chose to state health vet too for wow. Yeah, anyway, somebody, no,
not a good move. Some people are very smart. But anyway,
(36:27):
so it was funny that you said, because that's literally
how my attorney did it. She every single one, she
held it up, so it was a count for every
single one.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
Yeah, and you have to get creative sometimes you do
go like sometimes we you know, it's a health department.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
You know, there's you know, you can bring the health
department and are you.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
Know, unfortunately child services a lot because you go in
and they're neglect and animals, but then there's children involved
and oh yeah, you know it's just it's all intermingled.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
So it's oh.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Yeah, most definitely we all know that. So yeah, you've
got to make it. You got to do what's right
for the animals and for the other people that might
be involved in goods and stuff. So yeah, it's crazy.
So now you have mentioned that you did get you know,
your one hundred acres donated to you, and that you
guys are now progressing with getting it developed and everything
(37:18):
for both some for domestic some for the wildlife side.
So what do you see kind of happening in the
future for Aliquis?
Speaker 3 (37:29):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Do you see any more expansion maybe down the road?
Are you guys going to try to hold it, you know,
to what you have now and call it good? What
do you kind of see going on?
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Well, if we build out the wildlife side the way
we want it to, it's it's going to be a
you know, multi year project because we you know, I
would like to get into some specialized endangered species recovery
work and you know, some really important work like that.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
So I think it's going to take us a while
to get there.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
But if I could close my eyes and see it completed,
I see this place where you know, it's a destination
for animal lovers from all over the world, and it's
a place where you know, you can come and learn
how to do.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All of what we do part of what we do,
you know.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I feel like the more we empower other people to
learn from us and learn from my mistakes and my
you know, wins that you know, if we can help
them help animals where they live, you know, we all win.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
So I see it as a.
Speaker 3 (38:32):
Huge, you know, educational facility for you know, other shelters
like I said, and other nonprofits, but also to bring
the community together and get behind you know, helping animals
of all kinds. It's we're we're one of the fastest
growing counties in the in the country, I was told.
So development is going off the charts. I mean, every
(38:54):
time I drive down the road, these huge plots of
woods are being clear cut and buildings going up on
So we're driving.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
So many of our wild animals out of their homes.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
And so it's it's so important for us to to
understand that, you know, they deserve to be here too.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
And it's it's tough.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
I've found that it's tougher for people to come and
step on board, you know, to help wild animals because
they just don't they don't really know them, or they
don't really understand the plot, and you know, most people
have had a dog or a cat, and you know
can understand that we need to save them. But you know,
we need to save we need to save the planet.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
I hate to say, but we do.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
It's there's just so much going on in this world
that you know, you would hate for your grandchildren to
not know a species because you let it go extinct
on your watch.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
So it's it's a big vision and a lot of
work to do.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
But you know, I think if we can be a
small part of that and empower other people to do
the same work, that would be something that would you know,
be a success in my mind.
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Yeah, I agree with that. I think some people would say, well,
how can they go extinct? We can clone? Now, look
what we just did. We brought we brought dire wolves back. Okay,
and you're talking about now dinosaurs. Are you people out
your minds?
Speaker 2 (40:13):
I know, no, I know, and you know they're going
to do it. I mean, I just I don't know.
Why do we keep.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Making these movies and then people call actually do what
the movie was about.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
I know it's true though it is true, you got
how much money that takes? And I just I don't know.
Speaker 3 (40:31):
If you can just but you know, even if you
did bring them back, their ecosystems that they need.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
To thrive are gone.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
So I don't know, you know.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
It's it's I don't know. I don't know how we
need to protect no spaces that we have now they've
have plenty of eat out. Yeah. I was just out
in Yellowstone.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
I was at a conference at the in Grand Teetons,
which is an amazing place and right in the Grand
Teetan National Park.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
And it was the.
Speaker 3 (40:57):
End of the season and I was there during when
the shut down first started.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
So it was it was crazy because we.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
Went in one day and you know, there were rangers
everywhere and you know, I saw Grizzly and he's trying
to cross the road and there's you know, fifty cars
with you know, they're trying to figure out a way
for this.
Speaker 2 (41:14):
Poor bear just across the road, and.
Speaker 3 (41:17):
The rangers were there and making sure he crossed safely
and all of that. But the very next day the
shutdown happened and the gates were open, but there.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Were no rangers.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
There were no people, you know, helping the animals, and
it was I was really.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
Scared for them.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Because you know, some of these people don't think I
mean they're out trying to.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Pat a buffalo. I mean really they were.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
And I just thought, you know, and it was sad
because you know, I went online and people know these
bears by number or the wolves by number. You know,
there's only a few hundred, and that's supposed to be
one of the last wild spaces left, and so it
was a humbling experience. I'm glad I got to see
some of those animals, but it was sad because they're
(41:58):
basically in the big zoo, you know, and I just,
I don't know, it was sad for me because the
reality that you know, there's not that many of them left,
you know, was first and foremost in my in my mind,
and I saw it, and I don't know, it was sad.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
You know.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
It's funny. I had Professor Phillip Ursau on the podcast
with me, and he is the assistant professor of bison
studies at South Dakota State. Oh wow, and so we
were talking about I couldn't help it because I see
all these crazy people out there trying to pet the bison,
and it's like quit it, just quit it.
Speaker 3 (42:35):
Yeah, I know, I called them the wrong name.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Oh no, that's okay, But I mean they a lot
of people. They do. Bison and buffalo do look quite
a bit alike. But yeah, it was just too funny
because we literally talked about that stuff because I had
to mention it because I've seen so much of it.
I'm like, and like we said, I said, the one
the woman was literally trying to shove ea piled up
there to get a picture with it, and I'm like,
(43:03):
are you stupid?
Speaker 2 (43:05):
I know, I know they're not animals.
Speaker 3 (43:09):
The same with the bears, Like they feed the bears
and then they you know, yeah, scratch a human and
then they kill the bear and it's like.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Come on, I mean, just yeah, I don't know, I
just hate it.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
Yeah, I know. We have the people around here that
like to feed, and it's so funny because they don't
put two and two together. So they'll feed the small
wildlife like the squirrels and you know, that kind of
stuff at which brings in, of course, you know, other
wildlife like skunks, and but then now you got the
predators also coming in because you're providing them with a
smortgage board of small animals and they don't realize that
(43:43):
they're the ones that drew the Mountainlon or the Bobcat
into their yard. That's what kills me. It's like, are
you people you really? I just don't even know. I
think they get dumber every year.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Oat I agree.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
My goodness. Anyway, Okay, So for our listeners out there,
if they would like to try and help support you
guys's mission, no matter where they may be at, how
can they help you guys out How can they find
your website to go donate if you can do it
through there, or you know, what can they do to
(44:21):
help you guys?
Speaker 3 (44:23):
Well, our website is www dot Aliqua dot org and
it's a l a q u a dot org. So
there's all sorts of information there and there's a ways
to help button which you know, there's everything from you know,
donating money to you know, sponsoring beds and food and
(44:44):
you know Amazon wish lists and even.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Donating cars, you know, anything that you no longer want.
Speaker 3 (44:50):
We're like really good at taking free to get home things,
even if they're buildings.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
It's funny.
Speaker 3 (44:55):
But yeah, and then we would let you know, we
would love for people to come visit it. I mean,
we're a beautiful area, and our facility is very welcoming
and you know, you can come and learn more about it.
You can come volunteer. You know, there's lots of ways
to help and follow us on social media. We have
great social media channels with all of our fun animal
(45:17):
stories and it's just an uplifting thing to watch all
of the good work that we do.
Speaker 1 (45:22):
And you guys are located in Florida on that side
of the Gulf, right we are.
Speaker 3 (45:27):
We're in northwest Florida, so we're in the Florida Panhandle,
which is kind of up to the northwest.
Speaker 2 (45:33):
Side of this Florida, So it's.
Speaker 3 (45:36):
It's still you know, it's still got some of that
wild Florida feel to it.
Speaker 2 (45:41):
There's all kinds of things to do other than the beach.
Speaker 3 (45:43):
There's you know, natural springs and rivers and trails and
it's a beautiful part of the country.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
Good good, you guys, haven't I have to I have
to ask because I've watched my shows. You guys haven't
had any problems with any of the bowls and stuff
that Florida's been having issues with. Have you up in
your area?
Speaker 2 (46:03):
No, it gets cold here, so they're not able to
make it through the winter.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Yeah, I've heard that, but I I know people I
love to watch different shows. I watched the Swamp People Serpent.
They go out and are you know, catching these snakes
to try to to save the wildlife and in the
ex system. So there's they were They were saying that
(46:28):
they're starting it looks like they're starting to adapt to
the Cold War because they're starting to move for they are.
So that's why I was wondering farther north.
Speaker 3 (46:35):
Yeah, they're not to us yet, but I mean they're reproducing.
Speaker 2 (46:39):
It just unprecedented. It's scary because they've developed.
Speaker 3 (46:46):
Some of the newer ones that newer strings. I don't
know if that's the proper word for it.
Speaker 2 (46:50):
But they're becoming a little more aggressive as well.
Speaker 1 (46:53):
And so yeah, yeah, yeah, they were saying that there's
two different varieties of we're out there that have been
now meeting and they're combining and it's making them more aggressive. Yeah. Yeah,
that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (47:08):
It is crazy, I know, I know.
Speaker 1 (47:10):
And then those females can lay forty to fifty eggs
apiece and there's yeah that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (47:16):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (47:17):
Wow. Well, hopefully they don't adapt enough to where they'll
finally be able to get really far north and maybe
they'll I know, Oh my goodness, what do you do? Well,
we're getting ready to wrap up the show, So if
you for one last thing, if you could leave, the
listeners would say one message about animals and second chances.
(47:40):
What would that be?
Speaker 2 (47:43):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (47:44):
I just say, support, you know, support your local organizations.
Everyone's doing such hard work and you know they they
need your support, They need you volunteer hours, they need
you know, you to bring awareness to what they're the
hard work that they're doing. So I think you can
do something in your own community and it just really
makes a difference. So I just encourage all the viewers
(48:05):
to just learn more about it and you know, be
part of this solution, not the problem.
Speaker 1 (48:12):
Yeah, exactly. And it really does take a village when
you've got to get things done. So you know, if
you guys, you know, are like Lori and you don't
feel that your animal laws are up to par and
where they should be, start contacting your your representatives and
stuff and your your you know, your local or your
county or your state whichever, and start letting them know
(48:35):
you're not happy with these laws. You want things changed.
You want stiffer penalties for animal abuse and cruelty, you know,
things like that, right, But if you guys don't speak
up and talk, it's not going to happen. That's the
that's the worst. So all right, well, Laurie, I really
appreciate you being on tonight and filling us in on
Aliqua and your guys's mission and everything that you do
(48:58):
over there. It's pretty cool. And if I ever get
back of it, because I'm in Arizona, but if I
ever make it back over to that side, I might
have to stop down in there and see you guys
and check out the refuge. I know there's a lot
of places I know, and there's a lot of places
I'd love to go after doing these podcasts. And there's
actually the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Rescues down there as well, in
(49:22):
Lower Lower Southern Florida. I think if I remember it, yeah, yeah,
and I've been. Yeah, I'd love to go see you know,
they run the podcast and we talked about chimps and.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
Stuff, so wonderful.
Speaker 1 (49:35):
I know, I'm just gonna have to make this round
trip maybe one day if I ever get to retire,
it would be great. But you got to have the
money to do those things, so I got to keep
working right.
Speaker 2 (49:45):
Now, understand, Well, thank you for having me on. I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (49:51):
Yeah, it was great talking with you and learning more.
And right now I'm just gonna go ahead and announce
my next couple upcoming podcasts. You're welcome to stand if
you like, but I know most people would like to
get going and doing things, especially when it's later their time,
so you're welcome to jump off and not listening if
you don't want.
Speaker 2 (50:08):
Well, thank you. You have a blessed day.
Speaker 1 (50:10):
All right, Thanks, you have a great day too.
Speaker 2 (50:12):
Okay, bye bye.
Speaker 1 (50:15):
All right, everybody, So Laurie just jumped off. I hope
you guys enjoyed that podcast.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
It was great.
Speaker 1 (50:21):
I thought it was a really good conversation. I had
a great time obviously talking with her about some of
the animal stuff because we have a bit in common there,
but we also learned quite a bit about Aliqua and
what they do. So if you guys are ever in
the Florida area, go by and check them out. If
you want to help them out, go check out their website.
I will be putting a link to the website on
(50:45):
my Facebook page for the podcast as well, like I
do for everybody. So yeah, go check them out, guys
and give them a hand. What they're doing is great stuff.
So for the next podcast, actually am going to be
off for the next weeks because the next podcast would
have actually been on Thanksgiving Day, the twenty seventh, and
I'm not going to be doing my podcast on Thanksgiving
(51:07):
Day because like most of you, I'm going to be
enjoying a turkey dinner and I am going to be
as stuffed as that turkey when I'm done, and I'm
not going to want to be doing a podcast and talking.
So I will be off for the rest of this
month and then I will be back on December fourth,
And on that Thursday, I am going to have Jennifer
(51:32):
cat Purr on with me. Yes, that is her name,
and I know I love it, and she is going
to be talking with us about happy feed line homes.
So if you guys are kitty cat owners, you might
want to tune in and listen to this podcast because
Jennifer is going to be talking about how we can
(51:54):
help make our feend lions more happy in their homes
and maybe you away with some of those issues that
you may be having, say if you're having, you know,
any kind of wars between your cats, for maybe litter
boxes or space and things like that. So tune in
on December fourth and listen to Jennifer give us some
(52:16):
tips on how to make our feelines happy. And then
I am going to have December eighteenth. I'm going to
have Lauren anders Brown as my guest. She's going to
be talking about pads pass and this is about pet travel,
our pets and traveling. I should say, not just pet travel,
(52:38):
but you know, when we have to travel with our pets,
a lot of us don't understand or know about some
of their requirements that are in place when we want
to travel with our pets, especially if we're going internationally.
And you, guys, Jennifer, I'm sorry, Jennifer. Lauren has endured
(53:01):
all this grueling pet travel stuff and she has some
pretty good tips that she's willing to give out to
help you guys maybe prepare yourselves when you have to
travel with your pets. And I will say, you know,
most of a lot of the things have to do
with international quarantines and stuff like that, but also Hawaii,
because Hawaii doesn't really have rabies over there. Ever, there's
(53:25):
a lot of requirements that have to be met for
you to take your pets to Hawaii as well. So
if you guys are ever planning to travel with any
of your pets and you would like some great tips
on what to do to get ready for that travel,
then you might want to go ahead and tune in
on December eighteenth and listen to my discussion with Lauren
(53:47):
about pads Pass and travel with your pets. And then
after that, guys, I will be off until the beginning
of the new year. The next podcast won't be until
January eighth, so have a couple of weeks off after
the pads Pass podcast, and then I'll be back with
(54:07):
some new ones. But anyway, so hopefully you guys enjoyed
the podcast tonight like I hope y'all did, and again,
don't forget to come back on December fourth if you're
a kiddie owner or even if you would like more
tips on how to make your feenline happy and it's home,
and then on December eighteenth to listen to me and
Lauren talk about pads Pass and pet travel and how
(54:29):
you can hopefully get yourselves ready for that kind of
grueling situation, because it can be quite harrowing from my understanding.
But with that, everybody, I am glad you all tuned in,
and hopefully you'll be back to listen in for the
next podcast. And I hope you all stay safe out there,
(54:49):
and I hope you all have a really great, great
weekend coming up. And I hope you all have a
very very good Thanksgiving Day, because obviously I won't be
back on before Thanksgiving, so I hope you all have
a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy watching the Macy's Day Parade or
(55:13):
whatever you watch, and the football, and enjoy having dinner
with your families and just being together everybody. That's what
it's about. So all right, and I'll be back with
you guys soon. Bye now,
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