Edgewater Animal Shelter loses nonprofit status

EDGEWATER, Fla. – The Edgewater Animal Shelter is now banking on wellness clinics, small donations and fundraisers after suddenly losing its nonprofit status on Dec. 31.

"Right now it's a little scary," said Dr. Ginger Bryant Hutchinson, veterinarian.

They have a lot of animals but not enough funds to care for them.

"We started out on zero funds on January 1st," said Dr. Bryant Hutchinson.

The shelter said they separated from their nonprofit due to disagreements over adoption and medical treatment.

"I just didn't feel like that we were actually taking care of all the Edgewater animals," said Bryant Hutchinson.

But once the nonprofit status disappeared, so did the grants, discounts and donations.

"When people donate money, if they are in larger amounts in order to write it off on their taxes, it needs to go to a good cause. A good cause is a nonprofit," she said.

The shelter said it needs $22,000 a month to run the facility that currently houses 25 dogs and 45 cats.

"Electric bill, water bill, putting the drugs in here to take care of the animals, the vaccines," said Bryant Hutchinson.

The Edgewater Animal Shelter said until it gets the nonprofit status, the staff will continue to pay using small donations and out of pocket.

"Right now, everything that's in this building was purchased through my hospital at the regular price. So, looking for donations, looking to get help to take care of the animals here, is our No. 1 priority," said Bryant Hutchinson.

The next fundraising event is called Strokers Paws for the Cause. It'll be held on Jan. 23 at Strokers Billiards & Grille located at 1517 S Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater. The event starts at 2:30 p.m.