The Cat’s Meow
by Jill Duff-Hoppes
When Dara Edmonds was a little girl, she adored animals and dreamed of being a veterinarian. Although Dara didn’t become a vet when she grew up, the Oviedo resident has devoted her life to the well-being of animals.
Dara, 41, is the executive director and co-founder of Central Florida Community Pet Clinic in DeBary. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic offers low-cost spay and neuter procedures and walk-in wellness services for dogs and cats, including vaccines, heartworm and fecal tests, nail trims, and microchipping.
The clinic, which opened in May 2021, has an interesting backstory. Initially, Dara and two friends had planned to open a cat cafe where patrons gather to drink coffee or tea and play with (and sometimes adopt) cats. The women spent months shopping for a space to rent and were all set to sign a lease in downtown Sanford in 2020. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shutting everything down – including their plans to open the cafe.
Later in 2020, Dara was doing volunteer TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) work for a large community cat colony in Sanford. At the time, it was difficult to find available appointments, with pet clinics booked for months. That’s when Dara came up with the idea of opening a clinic, herself.
“There was still an obvious need for more access to affordable spay and neuter services in Central Florida,” she says.
With friend and veterinarian Kimberly Ferizolli on board, everything soon fell into place. As of mid-October, Central Florida Community Pet Clinic has performed nearly 16,000 spay and neuter surgeries for community cats and canine and feline pets. The clinic also distributes about 300 pounds of pet food every year to those in need through its community pet pantry and has cared for about 3,000 dogs and cats with its walk-in wellness services.
Loving Animals Is Not a Crime
Born and raised in Clermont, Dara graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice but later decided that wasn’t the right career path for her.
“Animals have always been my passion and where I stay the longest at jobs,” says Dara, who lives with husband Brandon and their three cats. “Animals are just so innocent and pure.
They don’t really have a voice, so we have to be their voice.”
Dara’s previous pet-related jobs and volunteerism have included working for a groomer, a veterinary clinic, and pet food stores and serving on the board of an animal advocacy organization. She has also worked for Spay N Save Animal Clinic in Longwood and fostered cats and kittens for Seminole County Animal Services. At Central Florida Community Pet Clinic, Dara wears multiple hats including that of the office receptionist.
Among the clinic’s many regular clients is Pet Rescue by Judy, a nonprofit dog and cat rescue organization in Sanford. Michelle Salaz, the office manager, says the rescue has been bringing cats to the clinic for spaying and neutering for about a year.
“Dara is fantastic,” says Michelle. “We appreciate the fact that she can get us in quickly – sometimes the next day. They are a small operation but make a huge difference in the community.”
Community Support Is a Surefire Bet
For Dara, running a busy, low-cost pet clinic on a tight budget and with a small staff has been no easy task. This past spring, she and her team held a fundraiser for the clinic at the Woman’s Club of Sanford and are hoping to make the event – called Catsino Royale – an annual affair. The clinic has also been the recipient of some of the funds raised at the annual Pints n’ Paws Craft Beer Festival in Sanford.
Central Florida Community Pet Clinic is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Dara’s goals for the clinic’s future include being open more days of the week and adding additional services to further help the pet-loving community.
To learn more about the clinic or donate food for its pet pantry, call 386-320-0503 or visit CFLCPC.org.