Room for One More is a 501(c)(3) non-profit shelter for homeless, abused, abandoned animals whose time has run out at Citrus County Animal Shelter. It is our mission to ensure that one day, all animals in Citrus County are valued as companions and have loving, "Forever Homes". We are dedicated to trying to raise the awareness of the public of the importance of spaying/neutering their pets. The Humane Society of Inverness and the Humanitarians of Florida, Inc., assist in providing low cost spay/neuter and medical services for the many animals who pass through our shelter.
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Room For One More All Volunteer Crew!
Lisa and Sarah a/k/a Mercedes
Hello! My name is Lisa! Welcome to "Room For One More", located in Citrus County, Florida! This site is dedicated to all those loyal companions who need someone to save them. This is my life-long dream, to help save those abused, lost, abandoned, neglected, stray animals who are looking for their "Forever Home"!
I‘ve always had a special affinity for animals. Even when I was very young, I could see in their eyes that they felt what I felt. If I was sad, so were they; if I was upset, so were they. Sometimes I thought they were the only ones who understood how I felt. They never judged me, never accused me, never lost patience with me.
After spending a year working at Animal Control, I realized that I could no longer see these sad, homeless dogs and cats be “put to sleep” (a nice way to say kill) because some irresponsible pet owner did not take responsibility for his actions. I had done everything I could to see that they at least knew someone cared about them and loved them before they had to be taken into the “inner room” for what was the inevitable. But it wasn’t enough. I saw the fright in their eyes every night in my dreams and heard their whimpers. I had to do something that would make a real difference. I decided that the answer to the overpopulation of unwanted pets was not to destroy them but to “actively” seek people to give some of these pets a loving home, and to teach people to be responsible pet owners.
Many pets don’t last in a home because their owners don’t take the time to teach their pets what is acceptable behavior. They complain because their pet chews up things or soils in the house but they don’t take the time, patience and understanding to teach their pet what they would willingly and eagerly learn. So it has become our job to give these poor unwanted pets a loving home, to meet their health needs and to teach them to become a loving family member. Many of them come to us so flea infested and undernourished they can barely stand. We bathe them, brush them, talk to them and teach them to trust. If they need to be taught manners, we teach them in hopes that someone will see what we see, that someone will look in those eyes and feel what we feel.
And so, "Room For One More" was born in March of 2003! Since that time, we have found "Forever Homes" for many deserving dogs and numerous cats! But there is still a lot of work to do!
Take a look around! Make sure you read "Tears For The Babies" on the "Letters" page. Hopefully you will see something that interests you, maybe something that pulls at your heart strings and brings a tear to your eye. Maybe you will learn something or maybe this will just help you become aware of the extent and seriousness of the plight of lost, abandoned pets. Visit often. Please feel free to e-mail us at any time with questions, ideas or concerns.
Jim with Kane right, Pecha left!
This is where it all began. Kane, a Doberman, weighed just 60 pounds when I brought him home from the Animal Shelter. My husband Jim had to carry him into the house because he was too weak to walk. Today he weighs a whopping 118 pounds and carries a back pack when we go to the flea markets. Needless to say, he has found his "Forever Home".
My husband Jim is my rock and my fortress. When the nightmares come, he is there. And no matter how many dogs I bring into the house, he is always ready to do his part to earn their trust and teach them to love again! Each time I need a new project done, a new kennel, a tub for washing dogs, lighting for the kennel, whatever I ask, he is there. Without him, I could not have accomplished what has been done and I love him for it!
This is my son David and a doe we rescued. The doe had been abondoned by its mom. We took it to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Rescue and it was eventually returned to the wild.
David is a big part of why we do what we do! He has learned dedication and respect for others and has learned that there is a value to life, even an animals. He was the 2003 recipient of the Humanitarians "Kind Kid" award. He is always ready to help with the chores of the kennel and spends time making friends with these poor lost strays and teaching them to trust again! He is my right hand man and my best pal!
Bonnie is Secretary/Treasurer for Room For One More (and my favorite sister). She caught the rescue bug from me and she was off and running. Her initial rescues were cats. She couldn't go into Animal Control without visiting the cat room and finding some poor, old cat waiting to go home. Then along came Dottie, a beautiful, loving dalmatian whose prior owner just didn't have Time for her anymore. The novelty of 101 Dalmatians must have worn off. With all of the beautiful dogs that come through our shelter, Bonnie remained strong, not wanting to mix dogs and cats. Something about the way Dottie stuck her nose through the chain link of the kennel and curled up her lip as if to smile touched Bonnie's heart. "Just one night at the house" was all it was to be and all it took! Although Bonnie's 8 cats were not too crazy about the idea, they have gradually come to accept her and Dottie has now become the queen of the house and has found her "Forever Home"!
Still, that wasn't enough. With encouragement from Tennessee sister Michelle, Bonnie began to rescue PMU horses destined for slaughter. First one, then two and three, now five! Problem was, she didn't want to let any of them go! As difficult as it is, she has found forever homes for both Isis and Comet. But a new season of rescue babies is upon us. We'll see what that brings!
"MEET THE FOSTERMOMS"
Have you ever wondered what type of person would spend all their spare time, between their regular jobs and families, working tirelessly finding "Forever Homes" for unwanted, abandoned pets? Most of the pets rescued are on their last day at Animal Control so it is an emotional event, determining who they can save and who they cannot. These ladies go to the shelter and assess each pet to determine that they are adoptable. They spend time with the pet to discover their personalities, their likes and dislikes. They record each pet's statistics and make sure all medical needs have been met. Then they make arrangements for things like shots, spaying or neutering and grooming. Now they begin to review the many applications that are received for each pet. Vet references have to be checked and for final applicants, home visits made and arrangements for the prospective new parents and the pet to meet and get acquainted.
These are the "Angels" who make all this possible. Read each of their stories and why they have become involved in this endeavor! They are just ordinary people who have an extraordinary desire to save the babies!
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Karron with Smokey and Reggie
My name is Karron Curtis. I have been involved in animal welfare and rescue since I was a child. My dad was sure everyone in my hometown of McCook, Nebraska knew where I lived and purposely dumped stray animals near our home knowing I would care for them until I could find them a home (and I did).
I did rescue on my own until I joined the Humane Society in Battle Creek, Michigan. I worked with them and served on their board of directors for three years (1979 thru 1981) until we moved to Belmond, Iowa. While in Iowa I did some rescue on my own as no rescue organizations were available in the small town where we lived.
When we retired in January 2000 and moved to Floral City, Florida, I went in search of an animal rescue organization to volunteer for....that is how I found Humanitarians of Florida. It was through this organization that I have met so many good friends who are just as interested in helping the animals as I am.
After meeting Lisa, I also became involved with Room For One More. Rescue is very time consuming but there is so much satisfaction in being a part of saving these animals and finding them forever homes where they will be loved and cherished for the rest of their lives. It is worth every minute I spend doing it.
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DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
OUR LEGAL STATUS: Doc #N04000009645 issued October 11, 2004, on file in Tallahassee. Registered with Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. Copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State. All dues and contributions are tax exempt to the full extent allowed by law. Our registration number issued by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is CH18409. 100% of all contributions are retained by Room For One More Pet Rescue, Inc. No percentage is retained by any professional solicitor.
