One Step Closer to Reality!

March 2021 Update - Ayla’s Acres Animal Resource Center (formerly Peter’s Friends) will be a 17-acre property in St. Johns County (in northeast Florida), which will be a facility of far-reaching consequence for our community.  The space will provide a warm, noninstitutional, clean, safe, and loving environment for adoptable dogs and cats until they find their forever homes. The modern, clean, and compassionate campus will include a shelter, a no- or low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations programs; and an educational center to accommodate thousands of children and adult groups each year.

Ayla's Acres Animal Resource Center will be located on County Road 208 at the intersection of 13A in St. Johns County, Florida. Our shelter will have private rooms where visitors can meet adoptable pets, a community area, walking trails, a memorial orchard, and two caretaker houses. An education center will present classes and workshops for all ages on the ethical and humane treatment of animals.

It will offer field trips for school-children from surrounding counties and adult education on animal welfare and care.

The 10,000 sq. foot facility will provide large, light, clean kennels and will have the capacity to house up to 40 cats and 40 dogs at a time. Realistically, the facility will house approximately 60 animals at a time. There will be an exercise arena; and an adoption center where families can meet and spend time with their potential pet. Ayla’s Acres' proactive adoption process (application, interview, vet and reference checks, and home visits) will help to assure proper placement of animals into new and loving homes. Half of our housing will be set aside to assist with the care and adoption of senior dogs and cats. Our center will be a one-stop solution where dogs and cats will be vetted, fed, loved, and cared for while awaiting adoption.

But veterinary care is only part of the solution to controlling animal overpopulation and health issues. Education is essential. For that reason, our education center will meet the highest standards of animal education and community outreach and will be a magnet for all. Visitors will learn about the importance of spay and neuter in the battle against animal overpopulation, as well as pointers and time-tested methods on how to take care of animals in the home.

In addition to the animal care programs, we will have dedicated areas for picnicking, dog walking trails, a memorial orchard and vegetable garden, and tile memorial and celebration walls where contributors may memorialize their pets with photos and remembrances. And, two on-site caretaker houses.