Sunday November 8, 2009, 2:57 pm
DeLAND -- Florence Thuot made a silent promise to the 300 handicapped and unwanted animals that found their way to her sanctuary: they would have a home for life.

They've been through enough, she says: the dog left in the Ocala National Forest with glaucoma so far advanced his eyes had to be removed; the tabby cat with feline AIDS who plays like a dog; the horse rescued from slaughter. Those who aren't blind or disabled bear emotional scars from being handed off from home to home or left on the side of a highway.

"When they have experiences like that, they need to be secure for the rest of their lives," said Thuot, the 81-year-old director of Journeys End Animal Sanctuary.

But with rising costs and donations way down from last year, Thuot often lies awake at night wondering how she can keep her word to her animals. The organization depends solely on donations, which have dropped off about 25 percent year over year, while expenses have risen about 35 percent, according to Karen Galles, a volunteer who handles the books.

Thuot has mortgaged her property twice and frequently transfers part of her Social Security check to the nonprofit's account. But the monthly contributions regularly fall short of the bills.

"It weighs on me a lot," Thuot said. "A lot of people have hard times now and are losing their houses. I could lose my house. That wouldn't bother me, but I have 400 animals. Where am I going to go?"

Thuot has been taking in disabled animals since 1976, when she and her late husband were volunteer animal cruelty investigators for Volusia. They cared for the owner-surrendered animals while waiting for the county to prosecute the cases.

"If I had them a few days, I couldn't give them up," she said. "That's how it started."

Animals occupy every room of two connected two-bedroom homes where Thuot also lives. Cats and dogs lounge on couches, atop a pool table and on the stove. Little and big dogs are separated to avoid injuries. A separate building houses nearly 200 cats. The horses, sheep and chickens live outside.

Each of the animals at the sanctuary has a special place in her heart. She won't say who's her favorite, for fear of hurting the other animals' feelings, but she reserves extra attention for Lilo and Skippy, disabled dogs who spend their days together in a red wagon. When the other animals are let out for their morning walk, Thuot has an employee pull the wagon down the street for 30 minutes so they don't miss out.

She has always counted on volunteers to keep the place going. Troubled teenagers fulfill community service hours alongside high school honor students, and several widows visit to pet cats by the hour.

Last year, the organization collected about $200,000 but spent more than $300,000 to maintain the property, keep the animals healthy and fed and pay three staff members who help Thuot because she can't get around as well as she used to. The deficit was offset by a balance from the previous year, which is now wiped out.

When the organization was two months behind on the mortgage in August, an article in the local paper brought in an infusion of cash that will soon be depleted to replace the electrical wiring and keep up with the mortgage, electric bill (over $1,200 a month) and food (about $500 a week). A new drain field for the septic system and new floors in the cat house will likely have to wait, said volunteer Sharon Burnett, who pays the bills.

"That's going to be at least $5,000 for those two, but … then we can't pay for vet bills or food," Burnett said.

To volunteer or for more information, go to journeysendsanctuary.org. Donations may be sent to Journey's End at P.O. Box 220163, Glenwood, FL 32722.

Daphne Sashin can be reached at dsashin@orlandosentinel.com or 407-650-6361.

Sunday November 8, 2009, 7:43 pm
Thanks Terry

Monday November 9, 2009, 4:18 am
what an angel i hope they can stay open

Monday November 9, 2009, 4:19 am
What an angel !

Monday November 9, 2009, 6:34 am
This type of thing really upsets me!!! This lady is an amazing woman and all these animals depend on her! I really hope that a miracle comes their way!!!

Monday November 9, 2009, 7:25 am
So do I. The best for you sweet lady and your angel animals. There's a miracle on your way, I'm sure. Noted and pasted on FB.

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:02 pm
She is an Angel doing God's work. I pray they can stay open.
Thank you Terry

Monday November 9, 2009, 7:17 pm
I'm sending emails to Eagles Coach Andy Reid and Commissioner Roger Goodell - it seems like the NFL should come up with some donations for this. This is an example of an anti-Vick, the exact opposite of the operation he ran right out of his home and on his property. Maybe the 3 teams in Florida could contribute too - the Dolphins, the Bucs and the Jaguars. They could easily put together a million dollars and get this place put back on its feet with some money for the future too.