A Volusia County woman who became an animal rights activist after a puppy was beaten to death in 2017 has started a nonprofit that aims to provide medical care and more to animals in need. Debbie Darino’s passion has been instrumental in changing laws and now her new foundation will make sure no animal suffers unnecessarily. “The goal is to ensure that no animal suffers from a lack of resources for its treatment,” Darino said. Darino has been nonstop raising funds to help achieve this goal through the Ponce Animal Foundation, a nonprofit named after a lab puppy named Ponce who was beaten to death in 2017. But some animals fall through the cracks due to cruelty or other medical reasons, Darino says. The non-profit organization steps in with financial support. “Animals get hurt every day. The families cannot afford it. The economy plays a big part, so I thought I’d take it to a bigger level,” Darino said. Among others, the Ponce Animal Foundation works with the Beacon Center, a local domestic violence organization that runs an animal shelter for victims and families. Animals are a big part of domestic violence situations. “They don’t want to abandon the animal because the perpetrator has in the past threatened to harm the animal if they leave,” said Angie Pye, CEO of the Beacon Center. Pye says she hasn’t been able to welcome animals to the shelter but hopes to do so in the future. The Ponce Animal Foundation is working to fund three 8-foot kennel runs and a pet play area. especially for children. “To be able to have the comfort of the animal that probably gave comfort through all this abuse,” Pye said. “You’re not just saving one life, you’re saving two,” Darino said. Domestic violence, cruelty, whatever situation makes animals vulnerable, says Debbie Darino, the foundation’s mission is to help pay for the costs involved. If you would like to donate to the Ponce Animal Foundation, visit their website.
A Volusia County woman who became an animal rights activist after a puppy was beaten to death in 2017 has started a nonprofit aimed at providing medical care and more to animals in need.
Debbie Darino’s passion has helped change laws and now her new foundation will make sure no animal suffers unnecessarily.
“The goal is to ensure that no animal suffers from a lack of resources for its treatment,” Darino said.
Darino has continually raised funds to help achieve this goal through the Ponce Animal Foundation, a nonprofit named after a lab puppy named Ponce who was beaten to death in 2017.
She lobbied for a new state law that would provide tougher penalties for animal abuse, created a nationwide animal abuse database, and pushed for anti-tethering laws.
But some animals fall through the cracks due to cruelty or other medical reasons, Darino says.
The non-profit organization steps in with financial support.
“Animals get hurt every day. The families cannot afford it. The economy plays a big part, so I thought I’d take it to a bigger level,” Darino said.
Among others, the Ponce Animal Foundation works with the Beacon Center, a local domestic violence organization that runs a shelter for victims and families.
Animals are a big part of domestic violence situations.
“They don’t want to abandon the animal because the perpetrator has in the past threatened to harm the animal if they leave,” said Angie Pye, CEO of the Beacon Center.
Pye says she hasn’t been able to welcome animals to the shelter, but hopes that will be the case in the future.
The Ponce Animal Foundation is working to fund three 8-foot kennel runs and a pet play area.
Pye says pets are critical to healing, especially for children.
“To be able to have the comfort of the animal that probably gave comfort through all this abuse,” Pye said.
“You’re not just saving one life, you’re saving two,” Darino said.
Domestic violence, cruelty, whatever situation makes animals vulnerable, Debbie Darino says the foundation’s mission is to help cover the costs involved.
If you would like to donate to the Ponce Animal Foundation, visit their website.
