'No-kill' animal rescue raises money

Ayla's Acres has more than 250 pets

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local animal rescue organization hosted a fundraiser in the Oakleaf community Sunday afternoon to raise donations for their pets.

Vendors, dogs, and their owners showed up to support Ayla's Acres, a no-kill animal rescue organization based out of Greenville, Florida in Madison County. Money was raised through a silent auction.

The dogs went on a mile and a half trek through the neighborhood with their owners and ate in the surrounding area.

Fran Charlson, the executive director of Ayla's Acres, wants to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets so less animals will have to be rescued.

"We really truly are a ‘no kill' facility. We do not euthanize animals unless they are suffering, and typically they're very old by that time. We have a number of them that die from old age…" said Charlson.

The non-profit has more than 250 pets spread across an animal sanctuary. More than $800 are spent on dog food per week. Many of the dogs on the property are unadoptable and come from abusive homes, but applications can be sent in for the adoptable animals.

Ayla's Acres does extensive background checks to make sure the animals go to the right home.

Ayla's Acres will host their next event on March 10 in Palencia. To donate, visit aylasacres.org.