The Animal Refuge Center will hold a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Sharon Bodenhafer Critter Clinic on Saturday, May 14. The Critter Clinic is a state-of-the-art medical center that will benefit all the dogs and cats ARC takes in, who through no fault of their own, find themselves homeless, injured or abandoned.

“Sharon Bodenhafer’s legacy is one of love, rescue, generosity and caring,” says Animal Refuge Center Board President Wayne Leinen. “To say that Sharon was an animal lover, is an understatement. With the donation made by her husband in her honor, her legacy will now forever change the course of ours, and we are truly grateful.”

The Critter Clinic is a 2,500-square-foot intake and medical facility that replaces a much smaller and older building. The clinic has a digital X-ray machine and a digital dental lab to help trained staff diagnose any health issues when animals are accepted into the shelter. ARC routinely performs surgeries of different types on its property. The excellent medical staff performs everything from spays and neuters, to dentals and mass removals. These efforts will further be helped by the addition of a new anesthesia machine.

The Animal Refuge Center is the largest no-kill shelter/sanctuary in Southwest Florida, providing interim shelter and medical care to cats and dogs placed in its care. The shelter’s philosophy avows that once an animal is accepted in, it will not be destroyed to make room for another. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, ARC is entirely dependent on the support of public donations.

The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. May 14. The Animal Refuge Center is at 18011 Old Bayshore Road, in North Fort Myers.