Each year, tens of thousands of animals are abandoned, abused, and neglected; in 2007, the founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, Laurie Hood, could no longer stand idly by and founded the no-kill organization on a sprawling 10-acres of farmland in Freeport, Florida, which is located roughly 20 minutes north of northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast. Through its tireless efforts, Alaqua Animal Refuge continually makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals it sees.