TAMPA, Fla. — As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and bring you stories honoring culture and tradition, we’re sharing how one local nonprofit owner has made it her life’s mission to nurture and care for pets looking for their forever homes.
Several times a month, Heydi Acuna and a team of volunteers host pet adoption events at local shops, like Aleyr Pet Store.
What You Need To Know
Several times a month, Heydi Acuna and a team of volunteers host pet adoption events at local shops, like Aleyr Pet Store
Eventually, that compassion pushed her to open her own rescue and extend her outreach, Mercy Full Project Animal Rescue
Right now, they’ve got 50 cats and 120 dogs waiting with foster families for their forever homes
It’s grown a lot, and she really learned how she could make a difference in 2017 in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria when she volunteered to rescue stranded pets
“To see that there are so many animals in the community in need of forever homes, we also come to these events to share that we look for fosters at all times,” she said.
Acuna says she’s always loved animals growing up, and she’d be the first to help.
Eventually, that compassion pushed her to open her own rescue and extend her outreach.
“This is Mercy Full Project Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization,” said Acuna.
Right now, they’ve got 50 cats and 120 dogs waiting with foster families for their forever homes.
“Me and my husband started it literally in our apartment complex,” Acuna said.
It’s grown a lot, and she really learned how she could make a difference in 2017 in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria when she volunteered to rescue stranded pets.
“I’m from Bogotá Columbia, I moved to this country when I was 17 years old when my dad brought me here to study to go to school. I’m the person that everybody calls when they need some help, some type of help when they saw a dog running up the street, they call me to catch it. For Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to share that our Hispanics in the community can do this. It doesn’t matter where, but there’s always somebody out there speaking Spanish like me that can communicate with you guys as well,” she said.
For Heydi, not every story is a happy one, but they’ve always done all they can to make a difference for the better.
“We come from different places, we come speaking different languages, just to make sure we make this country a better place and that we are out there helping and beautifying the place that we call home now,” she said.
