Who We Are

My husband Anthony and I first became involved with the SPCA of Central Florida in February 2003 when we adopted our first dog, a 2-year old English foxhound whose family decided they couldn’t take care of him anymore. We named him Franklin after Benjamin Franklin, whose statue is perched on a bench at the University of Pennsylvania where my husband and I lunched daily during our ten years of school in Philadelphia. We were so grateful that Franklin had a safe place to stay while he was waiting to be adopted that we decided we wanted to become more involved with the SPCA. The more we learned, the more we liked it. The SPCA of Central Florida is strictly a local organization – they receive no national funding – so all the money they raise goes to helping needy pets right here at home. They are also a “no kill” shelter; any healthy, adoptable animal has a home at the SPCA for as long as it takes for them to find the perfect “forever” home.

Initially, our involvement was limited to dropping off dog food and pet supplies at the local shelter. Then, in October 2003, we decided to walk in one of their fundraisers – the Wiggle Waggle Walk. We put together a “pack” of a few pet lovers and called ourselves Franklin’s Friends. We raised only a little more than $500 but won the award for the top fundraising pack. We were horrified to see that the TOP pack raised so little money for such a wonderful cause. So we vowed to work harder and raise more money the next year. Since then, we have adopted two additional dogs from the SPCA of Central Florida – Katie and Juliette – and rescued a fourth dog, Annie, from abandonment. As our four-legged family grew, so did Franklin’s Friends; growing bigger and stronger while winning the award for top fundraising pack every year since 2003. And how far we have come – last year we had a pack of almost fifty people and raised over $50,000!!!! Such a far cry from the $500 we raised the first year. Just imagine how many needy pets those dollars have helped.

We are always looking for new members of Franklin’s Friends, so if you and your four-legged friend(s) are interested in fundraising and walking in this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk please contact me at franklinsfriends@gmail.com

Monisha Seth

Pack Leader, Franklin’s Friends

About The SPCA of Central Florida

The SPCA of Central Florida runs two shelters and two low cost veterinary clinics. They are located in south Orlando (near the Millenia Mall) and Sanford (near Flea World). They are currently building a new veterinary clinic and a new cat shelter in Sanford.

The SPCA of Central Florida is an independent, autonomous, private, non-profit, 501(c)(3), full-service, animal welfare organization. The tax ID # is 59-0637883.

Wiggle Waggle Walk Information

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From Sanford:
Take I-4 W toward Orlando. Take exit 92 for FL-436 toward Altamonte Springs/Apopka. Go 0.2 miles and turn left at FL-436 E. Go 0.3 miles and turn left at Cranes Roost Blvd/N North Lake Blvd. Destination will be on the left.
274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

From Orlando:
Take I-4 E toward Sanford. Take exit 92 for FL-436 toward Altamonte Springs/Apopka. Go 0.1 miles and keep right at the fork, follow signs for Casselberry and merge onto FL-436 E/E Altamonte Dr. Go 0.2 miles and turn left at Cranes Roost Blvd/N North Lake Blvd. Destination will be on the left.
274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701