Local vet earns Humanitarian Award from Alaqua

Alaqua Animal Refuge recognized one of its heroes last week in awarding its first Humanitarian of the Year Award to Dr. Susan Petro.

Petro has had a veterinary practice in South Walton for 15 years, and she has been a supporter of Alaqua since its inception.

In November of last year, Alaqua’s founder, Laurie Hood, talked to Petro about her struggles with providing care for the hundreds of animals she cares for at Alaqua, the no-kill shelter she founded on her property just west of Freeport.

“We struggle with money,” said Hood. “I have had to let staff go and reduce the number of animals we take in. It’s exhausting.”

Hood said the non-profit organization brings in around $15,000 each month through adoption fees, donations and grant monies, but that still leaves her in the red around $15,000 every month.

“It takes around $1,000 a day to operate, amounting to $30,000 a month. We apply for grants and are constantly doing fundraisers. But grants are usually geared toward programs, capital improvements, etc. But when we build new buildings, as we did last year with the grants, it results in higher electricity bills and higher insurance. It’s so hard to stay afloat,” she said.

In November while the two women were talking, Petro realized she might be able to help. She sent out a mass mailing to the 5,000 clients in her database about Alaqua and its need for help. The result was about $75,000 being raised in December.

“December resulted in our biggest month ever for donations,” said Hood. “Because of her efforts and what she did for us, I wanted to award her with our first Humanitarian of the Year award.”

Hood hopes to make the award an annual recognition.

Petro owns and operates Kindness Pet Hospital on County Road 30A next to Butler Elementary School.

For more information on Alaqua visit www.aarflorida.com.