Owner fights to save LaBelle’s no-kill shelter from closing as the LaBelle Animal Rescue Shelter faces an imminent threat. The landlord’s decision to sell the property casts a long shadow over the future of this cherished refuge.
‘I’ve Got Hope’: Shelter owner fights to save LaBelle’s no-kill haven from closing
With the sounds of excited barks and the rustle of furry bodies seeking affection, Angel Biles stands resolute amid the chaos. Having dedicated her life to this haven over the last 30 years, she refers to the animals under her care as her “four-legged children.”
“I have my own children, then I have my four-legged children,” she shares, encapsulating the deep bond she has fostered with the 17 dogs and 20 cats at the shelter.
Having served at the shelter for 25 years, she took the reins after the previous owner passed away earlier this year. The pressing demand for animal shelters in the LaBelle area, Biles notes, is reaching unprecedented levels.
“LaBelle is growing, very much so. And with people growing, animals grow. Then comes strays and overpopulation, cats especially,” Biles explained with a heavy sigh. The dilemma of stray animals in a growing community weighs heavily on her heart.
In addition to rescuing animals, Biles extends a lifeline to local pet owners facing financial hardship, providing them with food and essentials for their beloved pets. Yet, despite her unwavering dedication, the shelter now sits on the precipice of uncertainty.
With the landlord’s plan to sell the property looming, Biles finds herself in a race against time. Just 90 days remain for her to secure a future for the shelter—an urgent task that weighs heavily on her conscience.
As a proud “no-kill” shelter, she is haunted by the prospect of what could happen to her beloved animals should the doors close. “Every shelter I’ve spoken to is full to the gills. I don’t want these animals put to sleep. A lot of mine are seniors. I have a few that would not get adopted because of the life they’ve had to live. They’re what I call my forevers, and they’ll be with me forever,” said Biles, her voice tinged with emotion.
With determination etched across her face, Biles is currently formulating a plan to raise the $150,000 needed to purchase the property herself. “I’m trying to get financing. There’s no guarantee that I can get that, but that is a goal. If nothing else, a down payment hopefully, but if not, the full amount would be fabulous to just purchase the property. It would forever be an animal rescue,” she expresses with both hope and trepidation.
To support her mission, the shelter has initiated a GoFundMe campaign while also welcoming donations in the form of food, toys, and blankets. The community’s response thus far has been heartening, reinforcing Biles’s belief in the power of collective action.
“I’ve got hope and that’s what I’m hanging on to, and I’m going to keep hanging on to it because we are needed,” she affirms with a smile that belies the challenges ahead.
As LaBelle’s residents enjoy the tranquil beauty of the nearby Caloosahatchee River, a random fact to ponder is this: Did you know that the domestic dog is known to be one of the most diverse species on the planet, with over 340 recognized breeds? In a town that thrives on its rich heritage, it is crucial to preserve every life that seeks refuge within the walls of Angel Biles’s cherished LaBelle Animal Rescue Shelter, a beacon of hope for animals and humans alike.
