We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Martin-Sorrentino recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Back in 1993 I had a dream/vision when I rescued a sick dog off the streets of Deerfield Beach. She was a senior with a 5 lb tumor hanging off her side. I was determined to help her. Once able to gain her trust so I could safely get her medical care, I took her to Dr Cindi Bossart at Ft Lauderdale Animal Hospital. She estimated “Heidi’s” age at 10, removed the tumor, vaccinated her, and eventually treated her for heartworms. She lived three years with myself and my family. Those were probably the best three years of her life. Helping her was so incredibly fufilling. In 2012 I began volunteering for local animal rescues as an adoption coordinator. I realized helping animals was a passion and I wanted to try to make a difference for as many neglected, injured, and abandoned animals as possible. In 2015 I began Cash 4 Canines, Inc a registered not for profit 501c3 organization. Originally started as a means of helping other rescues raise funds, Cash 4 Canines evolved. In 2016, Cash 4 Canines, Inc. decided to become a full-fledged full-time rescue itself. Rescue Rebels was born. Since 2016, Rescue Rebels has fostered and placed over 100 companion animals in their forever homes. All costs and services for these rescued animals have been paid through Rescue Rebels fundraising efforts. We have saved numerous medically fragile companion animals that have been left at shelters or abandoned, and provided the necessary medical care each one’s needs.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Cash 4 Canines, Inc. dba Rescue Rebels’ sole mission is to provide a better and improved life, essentially a “second chance”, for companion animals that have been left at shelters, surrendered by their owners, or that have been abused and neglected. Through Rescue Rebels, these companion animals are rescued, given the physical care necessary, spayed or neutered, and provided with behavioral guidance if necessary.
Rescue Rebels’ goal is to help one companion animal at a time to:
“overcome their yesterday and rewrite their tomorrow.”
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The Remarkable Power of TLC On April 6th, 2022, Hannah was found by a good Samaritan on the streets of Orlando, FL. She was in dire straits. Hannah was rushed to Orange County Animal Services whereby all accounts, she had given up on life. She was extremely lethargic just laying in her kennel and not moving or reacting to any stimuli.
After being contacted by Rescue Rebels’ representative in Orlando, Leigh , who had seen Hannah’s intake picture, Rescue Rebels quickly mobilized finding Hannah a foster home. On April 8th, 2022, Rescue Rebels committed to receiving Hannah and sent one of their volunteers to the shelter to pick up Hannah and transport her directly to Rescue Rebels’ veterinarian. Upon medical evaluation, Hannah was determined to be severely dehydrated, severely anemic, had untreated and advanced diabetes, untreated pancreatitis, had an open wound to her neck area and was blind due to cataracts.
Hannah was treated in-house at Rescue Rebels’ veterinarian through April 14th until she was stable and able to leave with her foster family. Once with her Rescue Rebels’ foster family, Hannah’s life dramatically changed for the better. Although, still in a medically fragile state, Hannah knew that she was in loving hands.
Hannah continues with her veterinarian care including diabetic curve testing, ultrasounds to other organs to assess damage, and an evaluation at the Orlando Eye Institute by Dr. Fife to ascertain whether she was a candidate for cataract surgery. When Hannah was first assessed by the Orange County Animal Services she was thought to be 10 years old. However, the veterinarians since the initial assessment believe her to be 4 or 5 years old.
On June 29th, Hannah underwent cataract removal surgery.
Rescue Rebels is honored and humbled to help this sweet girl with the gift of sight so that she can see the beautiful world she now lives in. Rescue Rebels thanks all that have helped and continue to help Hannah.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
In the begining I personally used my own funds until we built up a following that had confidence in us. That in turn led us to loyal supporters that are animal lovers who now donate to help keep our mission going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RescueRebels.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rescue_rebels_by_c4c
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cash4canines/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/rescue-rebels-by-cash-4-canines-inc/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCrENVspez51cpDZr68uzndg
Image Credits
Michelle Richard Photography