10-Year-Old Sells Lemonade to Raise Funds for Animal Rescue Center

• Helping pets find their forever homes is Sofia Ortiz’ passion.
• The 10-year-old girl from San Antonio, Texas opened a lemon stand to raise funds for animal rescue.
• A part of the proceeds was donated to a non-profit organization that helps prevent the euthanization of animals in shelters.

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For 10-year-old Sofia Ortiz of San Antonio, Texas, helping pets find their forever homes is her passion. That’s the reason why she decided to open a lemonade stand. 

“Animals’ Saving Lemonade” started operating on July 18. The city allowed Sofia to run the stand at Main Plaza in front of the San Fernando Cathedral.

“So proud of her compassion to help animals and accomplishments!” her father, Schervy Ortiz, wrote in a Facebook post.

A portion of the proceeds was donated to San Antonio Pets Alive!, a non-profit organization. According to the rescue center’s website, it aims to prevent the euthanization of animals “due to lack of space, adopter, or foster opportunities.”

Sofia was inspired to raise funds for the animals after fostering two kittens from the organization. 

“Sofia has a compassion for animals and loves to help them any way she can,” Schervy told San Antonio’s KSAT-TV. “Sofia’s kindness, love and care for animals was inspired into making a delicious lemonade.”

In 2011, there were 19,458 animals that were euthanized in shelters around the city. SAPA! wanted to change that so they launched the nonprofit that year. The organization says it’s helped save the lives of more than 55,000 animals in the surrounding area. 

“Our model saves the lives of dogs and cats no one else will help,” SAPA! says on its website.

Those who benefit from their services include orphaned animals, dogs with physical disabilities, injured animals, abandoned pets, and more. 

Thanks to the efforts of Sofia and her family, SAPA! has more animal lives to save.

Source: Daily Paws