Chris Bonanno

FLORIDA TODAY

A host of dignitaries and volunteers gathered for the groundbreaking of a Cocoa sanctuary that will give a host of animals a second on life was held on Saturday afternoon.

The Friends for Animal Sanctuary, which will be constructed at 2705 Kyle Lane, just south of SR-520 and west of Range Road, will house horses, dogs, cats, ferrets, goats and cows, or "anything that might come in through the sheriff's office," according to Don Jennings, Vice President of the sanctuary.

In a press release, it's touted as the first No Cage, No Kill Sanctuary in Brevard County.

According to a site plan provided by the sanctuary's organizers, the property will hold an administrative building, an intake center, isolation area and veterinary clinic along with a cat cottage, small animal cabin, several dog bungalows, a dog training facility, dog rehabilitation lodge, feral cat haven, horse, donkey, cow and goat barn, memorial garden and an existing access road and barn.

Jennings states that construction on the property will begin as soon the land is cleared of pepper trees and other invasive species.

The sanctuary is the brainchild of Katherine Johnson, Jennings' wife, who Jennings says was "looking out for a way to great help the animals in the shelter that need the additional help to get adopted." Johnson was unable to attend the ceremony due to an illness.

"We were fostering animals for quite some times and there was a lot of people doing it but (we thought) it'd be great to have a sanctuary or some place where you could more animals to rescue and rehabilitate and then give back up for adoption and that's where the idea for Friends for Animals started."

Of course, a big part of making something like this happen is having the land to do it. That's where Judy and Don Molitor of Cocoa stepped up, donating it after speaking with officials from the sanctuary.

"We've always had a soft part in our heart for welfare of animals and decided to coordinate with these people and see if we couldn't make something good happen," said Don Molitor.

"We have always rescued animals for personal use so we feel that 's an important thing to do, take care of others," added Judy Molitor.

Elected officials at the event saw both the importance and benefits of what the facility will do for Brevard County as well.

"This organization, this facility will not only support what we do with Brevard County Animal Services but it's going to support the whole county," said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. "(…) It is a win-win across the board for everybody."

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the animals because it gives us, the population, another opportunity for animals to be rescued. It's just not the government involved here, this is private enterprise," said Curt Smith, Brevard County District 4 Commissioner.

Jennings said that those interested in helping the Sanctuary can do by contacting them either through their website, friendsforanimalssanctuary.org or their Facebook page. They can also

Contact Bonanno at 321-242-3662, cbonanno@floridatoday.com or follow Chris on twitter @FTChrisBonanno.