By: Dr. Sue Nielsen
Sarasota County is home to more than 1300 nonprofit organizations. Dozens are dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned and/or homeless animals. 2014 was an especially important year, for one particular animal rescue group, as they were marking the 25th anniversary of Sarasota In Defense of Animals aka SDA.
SDA was founded in 1989 as an animal protection agency with about 25 animals, now provides lifetime care to over 300 cats, dogs, pigs, goats, rabbits, sheep and more. In addition to providing shelter, SDA has been active in advocating for local issues such as local the elimination of “canned” hunting, and has provided monthly spay and neuter clinics for free-roaming cats. Their focus is on animals with a history of abuse, abandonment, sickness, or victims of cruelty.
This past October, supporters were brought together for a fundraiser to honor SDA’s 25 years of animal protection and care – the Silver Anniversary. The Edson Keith Estate Mansion at Phillippi Creek Park provided an elegant setting. 
The beautiful sunset on the outdoor patio, the cool weather of fall, along with great drinks and appetizers helped to open the animal lover’s pocket books. We joined together and celebrated with cheers as we were served our one of a kind all vegan dinner! This is significant as most animal welfare groups are concerned about our “pets” such as dogs, cats, or birds, but we often forget the terrible plight of the animals captive in our agribusiness industry or entertainment business. The vegan dinner asserted the pureness of heart of Sarasota In Defense of Animals and the commitment of like-minded individuals to save all animals from suffering.
As each guest entered the mansion, pictures of special sanctuary animals were placed on a long table with each individual’s story. I personally fell in love with “Papa Goat” who overcame a terrible hoof infection to be the grandfather of the goats at the SDA sanctuary. In the next room, we competed in the silent auction with goodies ranging from decadent chocolate to a dog lover’s basket of necessities, to donated art from local artists. The dining room was decked out in black linen with silver accents and everyone dressed to impress and mingle with the who’s who of animal welfare in Sarasota.
At the finale of the night, the last animal needing sponsorship was Papa Goat. Of course, I made sure I was the one who would be his financial caregiver for one year. His picture and his story will get you to fall in love as well. 
(In part 2 of this article, I will go out to the sanctuary with Susie Chinn and get a tour, and be able to meet Papa Goat and get some special time with him.)
Nathan Runkle, the President of Mercy for Animals, joined the festivities and talked with attendees. MFA’s mission is create a society where all animals are treated with the compassion and respect they so rightfully deserve. They serve as a voice for animals through proactive consumer education initiatives, cruelty investigations, corporate outreach, and legal advocacy. Nathan addressed the crowd for a few minutes, praising the Matthes family for their long history of compassion toward animals and encouraged all of us to continue to help those which have no voice themselves. Listen here for his address to the crowd.
In addition, all money used to run the sanctuary is obtained through donations from private parties. They receive no special funding from any city, state, county organization, or from any well-known national group. This fundraiser brought in 150 guests and made approximately 60,000 dollars for the care of the animals. Susie Chinn, one of the event organizer’s felt, “This was the best SDA event ever! This is the first time we had a strictly vegan menu and it was greeted with cheers. I got tears in my eyes.”
It appears animal welfare advocates are out in force in Sarasota!
