Odessa Animal Sanctuary, Inc. 501c3 Non-Profit Organization

08/01/2025

Today is a powerful day—Five Dollar Friday and the 1st of the month.
If there was ever a time to give, it’s now. We’re asking—please, can you spare just $5 today?

Every single $5 donation adds up to something incredible when we all come together. With over 450 rescued animals depending on us for food, care, medical attention, and love, your small act of kindness truly makes a big impact.

To those who have already set up automatic monthly donations—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our phones have been chiming with PayPal alerts all morning, and each one is a reminder that we are not alone in this mission.

But we still need more help. We’re facing daily challenges and rising costs. Your $5 today helps feeding 3 Animals. It helps us continue.

Please, click the link and be a part of this life-saving day.
💛 paypal.me/owrs
Every dollar counts. Every life matters.

With Gratitude,
Odessa Animal Sanctuary 🐾

Go to paypal.me/OWRS and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.

07/31/2025

Heaven for Dogs..

Territorio de Zaguates spans 400 acres and shelters over 1,800 rescued dogs. Each receives vet care and a unique breed name to boost adoptions. Visitors can join weekly hikes through the sanctuary.

07/28/2025

200 Siamese Cats needed forever homes..

More than 200 Siamese and Siamese-mixed cats are looking for new homes after they were rescued from a Manatee County home.

07/27/2025

Post a picture of you and your Pets that have gone before you. We will all join them one day and be together again..

07/27/2025

Heavenly Father,

On this quiet Sunday, we pause to lift our voices to You in prayer.

The world is weary, Lord. Fires burn across the earth and within the hearts of many. Violence, fear, and sorrow seem to grow louder each day. But still, we turn to You—the source of peace, the Creator of all life.

We ask You to look after all of Your creatures, both human and animal. From the smallest sparrow to the mightiest horse, from the forgotten soul on the street to the rescuer reaching out in love—let none be unseen by You.

We especially lift up the animals and people at Odessa Animal Sanctuary, and the ones who lead it, whose hearts beat with compassion for the voiceless and the vulnerable. Strengthen his spirit, renew his purpose, and surround him with support as he continues this sacred work.

Bring peace, Lord, where there is war.
Bring comfort, where there is suffering.
Bring light, where there is darkness.
And bring unity, where there is division.

Let Your mercy fall upon every sanctuary, every rescue, every shelter—on every heart that aches and every life that longs for love.

Teach us to walk gently, to give generously, and to love fiercely, just as You love us.

In Your holy name we pray,
Amen.

07/25/2025

Odessa Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization located in Odessa, Florida, dedicated to providing a permanent home and care for unwanted, abandoned, and neglected animals. The sanctuary's primary mission is to give these animals a true "forever home" for the rest of their lives, focusing on their well-being, security, and happiness.
Here are some key aspects of Odessa Animal Sanctuary:
* Mission: Their core mission is to provide lifelong sanctuary for animals that have been victims of abandonment, abuse, or cruelty. They also aim to educate the public about the issue of animal homelessness and its prevention.
* Services: The sanctuary provides comprehensive care for the animals in its charge, including:
* Forever Homes: They offer a true permanent home for animals of all ages and backgrounds.
* Veterinary Care: Animals receive full veterinary care to ensure they live the fullest lives possible.
* Love and Attention: They emphasize providing companionship and 24/7 love and attention.
* Food and Shelter: They provide quality food and species-specific shelters.
* Type of Animals: While they have a focus on a wide variety of animals, they have been noted for caring for both traditional pets like dogs and cats, as well as a range of other species, including farm animals, exotics and even a zebra.
* Donation-Based: The sanctuary is entirely reliant on donations to fund its mission and the care of its animals.

* DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. You can go to our website OdessaAnimalSanctuary.org to see the ways you can Help.

We are thrilled to invite you to our Fundraiser and Donor Appreciation Event at the stunning Ulele Spring Beer Gardens on October 4, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

07/25/2025

Do reptiles feel emotions like optimism or anxiety? A groundbreaking new study says yes—and it’s rewriting what we thought we knew about reptile sentience.

Researchers tested red-footed tortoises using a method often applied to humans and mammals: a cognitive bias test. Tortoises kept in enriched, stimulating environments were more likely to interpret ambiguous situations optimistically—an indicator of a positive emotional state. Even more compelling, the same tortoises displayed lower anxiety in mildly stressful situations, suggesting their moods were not fleeting but long-lasting.

This is the first strong evidence that reptiles, like mammals and birds, can experience enduring emotional states. And because reptiles split from mammals and birds more than 300 million years ago, these findings hint at deep evolutionary roots for mood and emotion across the animal kingdom.

The implications are profound. As reptiles become increasingly common as pets and in zoos, recognizing their emotional complexity could transform how we care for them. It challenges us to reconsider what sentience looks like—and who we think is capable of feeling.

Follow Science Sphere for regular scientific updates

RESEARCH PAPER 📄

Tatjana Hoehfurtner et al, “Evidence of mood states in reptiles.”, Animal Cognition (2025)

07/25/2025

Five Dollar Friday
Just $5 will feed 3 animals today — and with over 450 animals in our care, every dollar counts.
Please, if you're seeing this, we need your help.

Donate now at paypal.me/owrs or click the link below.

Together, we can make a difference. 🐾❤️