About Us

As the founder of Rescue Pink, I’ve been volunteering and partnering with Pinellas County Animal Services since 2009. I also support other local shelters and organizations, including the Humane Society of Pinellas and Friends of Strays, through fostering, media outreach, and fundraising efforts.

My mission with Rescue Pink is to reduce the number of euthanasias and homeless animals by promoting and funding spay/neuter initiatives. We’ve held events that fix up to 50 animals in a single day. I also assist seniors, veterans, and low-income individuals with vet bills so they can keep their beloved pets. Over the past 11 years, Rescue Pink has helped approximately 1,700 dogs and cats through spay/neuter, vet care, fostering, and rehoming.

We were honored to be featured on Bay News 9's Everyday Heroes:
http://ow.ly/lDDk50GeusH

In 2024, I launched a $20 spay/neuter program in partnership with Harmony Vet Care and Operation Snip. Rescue Pink covers the cost beyond $20, making these services affordable and accessible. Since launching these events in February 2023, we’ve already fixed over 400 dogs and cats. With an average of 8 animals per litter, that’s prevented nearly 3,200 animals from being born—and potentially thousands more when you factor in future litters. This program is one-of-a-kind in the Tampa Bay Area, and the need for low-cost or free spay/neuter services is greater than ever. Our shelters are full, and too many animals are still being euthanized. We are actively seeking sponsors to keep this program operating. 

I’m also dedicated to legislative change in animal welfare. Currently, I’m building an Animal Abuse Coalition and task force to address the lack of enforcement across Florida.

In 2014, I initiated the anti-tethering ordinance change in Pinellas County. With the support of Moe Freaney (then Director of Animal Services) and Renee Rivard from the League of Humane Voters, the ordinance was updated to ban unattended tethering.

In 2017, I worked with Director Doug Brightwell to strengthen breeder regulations in the county. We established mandatory registration, annual inspections, and required sellers to report pet sales. This ordinance also banned the sale of dogs and cats at flea markets and other public spaces—a major win for animal welfare.

In 2018, I collaborated with Dunedin City Commissioner Moe Freaney to pass a ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills. The ordinance passed unanimously.

In 2025, I initiated a Pinellas County ordinance wording change for what constitutes animal cruelty,  and am working with a few other leaders in the community on upgrading the standards for retail pet stores. 

I was honored to receive the Animal Hero of the Year award from Florida Voices for Animals in 2025, as well as the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteering over 4,000 hours at Pinellas County Animal Services. My work included walking dogs, fostering, and launching their Facebook page, which I managed for six years.

Rescue Pink runs entirely on donations. Any support is deeply appreciated as we continue working to make a difference in our community.

Elizabeth Olson
Founder, Rescue Pink