Elizabeth Olson–who lives in Palm Harbor, and is the founder of not one, but two animal organizations, with intersecting missions—recalls even as a toddler, making a beeline for any animal she’d see. 
Over the ensuing years, her passion for animals has remained unwavering,
but she’s also clearly cultivated a protective bent for them, too. One of her organizations, Rescue Pink, aims to reduce euthanasia and pet homelessness by promoting and funding spay/neuter programs. Partnering with top-tier veterinary clinics—in this interview, she particularly praised Harmony Vet Care–Rescue Pink has sponsored high-volume events, “fixing” up to 60 animals in a single day. (Their motto: “NO BIRTH” is the first step to NO KILL”) Her other organization, The Animal Justice Task Force, functions as the legal and advocacy arm of Rescue Pink, which Olson created to bring accountability, transparency, and urgency to animal cruelty and neglect cases. Indeed, as The Tampa Bay Times chronicled in an extended story in February, Olson has dramatically altered the animal cruelty landscape of the greater Tampa Bay area. This is particularly true when it comes to the manner of prosecuting cases, demonstrating a more fastidious and tenacious approach, to help ensure convictions and significant sentencing. In our conversation, Olson shared some hair-raising stories of cruelty and neglect cases that illustrated the need for the Animal Justice Task Force and its monitoring of state attorneys’ offices prosecution of cases and sentencing. These included the 
case involving Dexter, a bulldog adopted from Pinellas County Animal Services, and
mere days later was found decapitated, while in Hillsborough County, a man was found guilty of starving his dog (presumably to death), and the judge handed down a sentence of just 30 months. Among the challenges to imploring more vigorous prosecution and more stringent sentencing, Olson pointed out, were that judges hold their seat on the bench for six years, and Assistant State Attorneys are hired for that position, not elected. Olson describes maintaining a detailed spreadsheet of local cases–she works tirelessly in multiple ways to protect animals (her next quest is to help pass laws that would regulate groomers), and to bring consequences to those who would do animals harm. We also discussed how she could really use some help, whether that’s assistance with the spreadsheet, or with research, or attending hearings. She could also use some financial support—her efforts are financed strictly by donations. To help Olson in one way or another, or just to stay informed: https://rescuepinkjustice.org/ https://www.facebook.com/RescuePinkFl/#
ALSO: I spoke with Laurie Posey of Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida (LRROF), a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing Labs, placing them in foster homes, and sharing their stories through social media or other platforms on a path to placing the dogs in forever homes. With that Wednesday being National Dog Day, I thought it fitting to briefly discuss a dog rescue—and dogs! Posey provided a brief overview of LRROF, noting it was founded in 2000, that it functions state-wide and is a foster home-based operation; LRROF has no brick and mortar facility but seeks to serve its canine-loving constituency through dividing the state into south, central, and northern regions. She offers an appeal for adopting senior dogs, explaining they have seven seniors, from 7 to 14 years old, currently available, mentioning their website offers information on how adoption works, how to volunteer with LRROF, and more: https://lrrof.org/
COMEDY CORNER: Shayne Smith’s “Diabetic Dog” (https://www.shaynesmithcomedy.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Rolling Stones’ “Monkey Man”
AUDIO ARCHIVE:
Listen Online Now:
