The 3rd Annual Rainbow Bridge Walk

(Photo by Niedojrzala Poziomka)

Every one of us has lost a pet, and whether that loss was a beloved childhood friend or a more recent bereavement, it never ceases to hurt. Despite, or perhaps, because of that, many of us choose to use the memory of our pets as inspiration to help others, and to help the many thousands of animals in need of food and medical care every year.

In Ormond Beach, that's what the annual Rainbow Bridge Walk, hosted by Sophie's Circle Pet Food Pantry and Animal Rescue, is all about. We show up in honor of the pets we've lost, and we raise money to fund Sophie's Circle throughout the year to provide pet food and medical care for dogs and cats that need it.

Most of us know the story, of the rainbow bridge. When you go to heaven, you walk across the rainbow bridge, and there they are, the pets you've lost, waiting for you just how you remember them. At the Rainbow Bridge Walk, we reenact this symbolically in their memory, lighting up the bridge with rainbow leashes and the footsteps of people who loved them, while raising money for the animals that are still here.

In 2016, over 300 people attended the Rainbow Bridge Walk, and it is our hope that this year will be bigger than ever.

What Does Sophie's Circle Do?

Sophie's Circle is a pet food bank and animal rescue, providing food to over 500 families per month. As the only pet food bank in Volusia County, Sophie's Circle works hard to provide pet food to animals and owners in need. Because pets are almost always better off with their family, and pets are a valuable part of the lives of many senior caretakers who can no longer afford them, Sophie's gives to owners in need of either temporary or permanent care.

Sophie's Circle also rescues and rehomes pets including emergency care cases, taking in animals who need immediate medical attention. The team of volunteers fosters out pets until they are adopted, and works hard to match animals to families who will love and who can take care of them for the long-term.  

How to Attend the Rainbow Bridge Walk

The 3rd Annual Rainbow Bridge Walk will be held on the Granada Bridge, between Fortunato Park and Riverfront/Cassen Park on March 25th. Participants are asked to pay a $10 fee. The $10 fee to walk includes a Goodie Bag. In addition, Rainbow Bridge Walk T-shirts will be available for $15. The walk begins at 6 P.M. and walkers are encouraged to show up early to collect sponsor sheets so that they can track how many times they cross the bridge for sponsors. Dogs who show up will receive a free treat and will be given a light up dog leash to help with lighting up the bridge for the rainbow walk. Vendors will be available to provide food, dog treats and toys, and other items.

Fee: $10

Date: March 25th, 6 PM

Address: Fortuno Park, 2 John Anderson Dr. Ormond Beach, Florida 32176

We hope to see you there.

Feeding Animals, Saving Family's – Volusia's Pet Food Bank

Every year, over 3,000 animals go into the pet shelters in Volusia county alone, and many of them never leave. While some of these animals are strays and ferals, many are given up by otherwise loving families and owners who have fallen on hard times, are chronically unemployed, or who have medical issues and can no longer work to support their pets. Unfortunately, only about 38% of all pets surrendered to shelters are ever adopted, and the best way to save an animal is to keep it out of the shelter in the first place.

Sophie's Circle works around the year to donate food to these families in need to help them keep their pets. Since 2009, we've donated thousands of pounds of food to families and shelters thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our volunteers and donors who believe in our cause as much as we do.

But, every story starts out small, and so did we.

In 2009 Volusia didn't have a pet food bank and Kathy Blackman, our founder, was repeatedly turned down when she brought pet food to local food banks. While she was already donating food to local shelters, which is how she met Sophie, she wanted to do more.

Kathy opened the first pet food distribution center in 2009 in South Daytona and thanks to the combined efforts of the community, many people came together, supported the endeavor, and made Volusia's first pet food bank a reality.

Our original goal was to ensure that anyone with a dog or cat could find pet food in case of financial hardship or difficulty. Kathy wanted to prevent animals from being surrendered because of short term financial difficulties.

Once donations began coming in, the pet food bank began supporting people around Volusia to ensure that they could keep their animals. We give pet food to men and women who have lost their jobs or who otherwise have temporary financial setbacks and need help till they get back on their feet. We also support retired and disabled individuals on a fixed income who need indefinite help. We believe that if someone's companion pet enriches their life, they should be able to keep the animal.

While we've given pet food to hundreds of families in Volusia county, many of them remain an active part of our community and many give back. One of these people asked for help soon after we opened the food bank. She was homeless and living in a car with her senior dog, Zoe. Without a home or a family, Zoe was all this woman had and she was determined to keep her dog despite her unfortunate situation. It was hot and dangerous for her and the dog to live in the car. So, when she would come into our food back, we made sure that Zoe got water and food, and we'd give books and magazines, and any help we could to her owner.

Unfortunately, what she really needed was to be off the street. Eventually, a police officer and friend of Kathy's helped Zoe and her owner into a motel. She was able to use her fixed residence to care for Zoe and to find a job. Today, she lives in an apartment in a decent part of town and takes care of three rescue dogs. Zoe has passed on, but she lived out her life with her owner who loved her.

It's these, and other stories that motivate us, and the many volunteers and donors who make the Sophie's Circle pet food bank a reality. Locally, our community provides so much support. Schools and organizations help us with food drives. The Girl Scout Troops collect pet food. Sometimes we even have private individuals who bring us pet food that they've asked for in lieu of birthday or hostess gifts. Some of our donors even come every month to bring donations and we are incredibly grateful. We wouldn't be able to help anyone without our donors and volunteers and their continued support makes everything possible.

With thanks to our volunteers, Mary, Mary Kay, Pat, Sue, Donna, Debbie, Susan, and Shannen who are faithfully there. And, thanks to Marion and her mother, who run the West Volusia Distribution.

If you want to be part of making our pet food bank possible to keep companions with the people who love them, you can volunteer or donate food. Click here to see the list of Pet Food Pantry locations.