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Creature Comforts: Alaqua Animal Refuge b y A n d y B u t c h e r
L eroy would probably describe life at Alaqua Animal Refuge as being in hog heaven. But, then, he’s a 600 lb. pig who belongs to Laurie Hood, the founder of and driving force behind the only no-kill sanctuary of its kind in the Emerald Coast region. Thousands of injured, neglect-
“It’s been a God thing,” she says of the refuge’s development, “though I feel like it’s exactly what I was put on this earth to do. Even all my previous jobs and all my experience kind of led me to be able to do this.” That background includes a marketing degree from Louisiana State University, and magazine and medical world gigs that come in handy with all the business skills needed to run a growing nonprofit. Almost 30 staff, along with the feeding and care of several hundred animals — supplies are delivered by 18-wheelers — means monthly operating costs run around $150,000. The bills are met through grants, donations, and fundraising events. Fees from monthly adop- tions — usually around 100 — help a little, too. With the firmly no-kill refuge continuing to grow and preparing for an even bigger future, Hood’s husband, Taylor, left his family’s successful car dealership business a couple of years ago to help run things. But as founder, president, chief fundraiser, and activist — she is also involved in animal welfare legislation efforts — she continues to wear a bunch of hats. Hood’s tireless work has earned national attention. The refuge has been featured on the National Geographic Channel’s Animal PD, and brought inquiries from people wanting to replicate what she has achieved elsewhere. The refuge’s supporters include Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and his wife, Brittney, who have a home not far away. After a busy day at the refuge, Hood is
Rescue pup comforting a volunteer
ed, and abandoned animals have been rescued, rehabilitated, and re- homed since the ten-acre facility was opened in 2007. And many of them have provided special comfort to their human caregivers in return. “No matter what they’ve been through, they still show you unconditional love,” says Hood of her intakes, noting that some of her 500 or so volunteers arrive at Alaqua with their own wounds, ranging from sickness to bereavement. In caring for needy creatures, “They watch these animals come out from the worst of the worst, and I think it gives them hope that, whatever they’re going through, it can be the same for them. “What we have created is healing the human soul at the same time.” That two-way street will be an emphasis of the expanded and relocated refuge due to open on 100 acres of donated land near the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport sometime next year. In addition to ongoing rescue and
Rehabilitated horses
Goats
adoption services, Hood envisages it as “A healing place for both people and animals,” through special programs for victims of sexual abuse and those with PTSD, among others. Hood’s love for animals all started with Daisy, her childhood pound mutt. Then came her sense of injustice over animal cruelty: when she learned that kids in the neighborhood were killing songbirds, she went door to door with a petition. But Alaqua Animal Refuge is more of an evolution than a vision. When she discovered that unwanted animals in Walton County ended up being euthanized elsewhere, Hood decided to provide a place for them on land adjoining the family home near West Bayou. On her first rescue trip, she came back with 38 neglected animals.
Since then, scarcely a day has gone by without some two- or four-legged animal arriving. Some come from animal welfare raids.
Volunteer working with a disabled dog
The refuge was stretched to capacity in the wake of 2018’s Hurricane Michael, when so many people were left homeless and unable to care for their pets that the refuge took in more than 2,000 dogs and cats in just two months. Plus almost 200 goats, many of which turned out to be pregnant. Among the most unusual arrivals have been a 14- foot python in a box, and an Asian Water Monitor. Hood seems to be something of an animal magnet: a recent staff dinner evening out ended with the restaurant owner asking her to take two turkeys home with her (she did).
glad to get home but there’s no rest there. In addition to two teenage sons, there are her own animals: eight horses, nine dogs—one still being rehabilitated that was so badly abused it arrived in a muzzle — and 12 cats, plus an aviary full of birds. Oh, and Leroy, who “just likes to hang around.” Alaqua Animal Refuge is at 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, FL 32439. Go to www.alaqua.org or call (850) 880-6399 to find out more. Open Mon-Fri, noon-5:00 p.m.
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