Hundreds of people walked to help raise money on Sunday so the Animal Coalition of Tampa can rebuild a new facility.
Police said Terrod Arrington set the former location on fire months ago, killing three cats and pushing the group out. The coalition was forced to reduced the services they offer the community.
Volunteers paid it forward at the 14th annual Stride for Strays event.
Officials with the animal coalition say they’re closer to their goal of $100,000, thanks to the help of the community.
“We didn’t realize before the fire how much support we had,” said Animal Coalition of Tampa Manager, Karen Hubby. “After the fire, the phones started ringing, we need you, you’ve gotta come back and all the events that we had that led up to this, they’ve been there for us.”
It was devastating for Yvonne Painton who was one of the volunteers who helped build the facility.
“Let’s get this thing rebuilt as soon as possible because this community needs the animal coalition of Tampa,” Painton said.
Richard Nordstrom agrees. He says he’s been taking his pet to ACT for years.
“They help a lot of people," Nordstrom said. "They’ve helped a lot of pets where people can’t afford a medical bill for a vet, they can take it there and they’ll work arrangements with them. They’ll do whatever it takes to help.”
Which is why many people who participated in the walk said they felt like they had to do something to give back.
Officials with the Animal Coalition of Tampa say they’re hoping to be rebuilt and reopened by the beginning of next year.