Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL)
Our Mission
At VOCAL, our mission is to solve the homeless pet problem in Marion County because every animal deserves an advocate, every person deserves compassion, and every life matters. We are dedicated to creating a more compassionate community for pets and the people who love them.
Our Story
Founded in 2015 by animal advocates Linda Norman, Kate Rengel, and Lauren Carpenter, VOCAL began with a vision to stop pet overpopulation at its source. What started as a focused effort to provide low-cost spay and neuter services has grown into a comprehensive community resource center. We are driven by a commitment to innovation, integrity, and the belief that positive outcomes require out-of-the-box thinking.
How We Help
VOCAL operates as a community-focused organization providing veterinary care, a pet food bank, and a robust foster-based adoption program. By keeping pets with their families through resources like Project FEED and our community clinic, we strive to prevent homelessness before it begins. When a new home is needed, our animals are cared for in a loving environment, often within our dedicated foster network, ensuring they are safe, vetted, and ready for their next chapter.
Your Role in Our Journey
We pride ourselves on making the perfect match between our animals and their forever families. We see our animals as family members and take the time to ensure that both the adopter and the pet are set up for a lifetime of joy and companionship. Because we know that thoughtfully matching personalities leads to the best outcomes, our adoption counselors work closely with every applicant to find the right companion for your unique lifestyle.
Adopt Your New Best Friend
Are you ready to find your perfect partner? We invite you to browse our available cats and dogs online or visit us during our weekly walk-in adoption hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Your decision to adopt changes a life—we look forward to helping you meet your new best friend.
Trust Assessment
SilverRated Sep 20, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedPhysical FacilityOperating 10+ years
FinancesOnline Review Highlights
- Compassionate and helpful staff
- Excellent community resources and animal care
- Communication delays regarding adoption status
Coverage We Reviewed
352today - Local News, Weather & Events in Ocala, FL
7/28 - Adopting a Pet in Marion County? What to Know Before You Go - 352today
Learn the real costs, rules, and steps involved in adopting a pet from the primary shelters and rescues in Marion County.
Recent Videos
10/12 - 🐶This is Gus. We don't know everything about his story or why someone choose to abandon him. What we do know is that Gus was discovered by a person who truly cared for, and that individual made sure that he always felt the love a pet deserves. While Gus may be blind he certainly sees with his heart, and this dog is absolutely one of the most gentle pups on the planet. In our mission to solve the homeless pet problem, we believe that every pet deserves a loving home, and Gus is a great testament to the value a pet's life has! ❤ Thank you to Gus's mom Linda for sharing this amazing pet with the world🥳. Gus was one of the many contestants in our Pet Photo Showdown this Summer. As the winner of the competition, you can now see his photo featured on the First Magnitude Brewing Company mpany beer tap when you visit the World Equestrian Center - Ocala's Polo Pony! #VOCAL #Story #Gus
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10/12 - 🚨Our Executive Director Kate couldn't be here to deliver the schedule this week, but forunately the legendary sheperdess Bo Peep (with her sheep Zoey) made sure that the message still made it out to you. Here's whats ahead this week! 🎃 😻CLINIC🩺 Monday - Closed Tuesday - Surgery Wednesday - Surgery Thursday - Surgery Friday - Surgery Saturday - Closed Sunday - Closed 🥣PROJECT FEED 🐕 Tuesday 9am-Noon Thursday 4pm-6pm 🐶ADOPTIONS🐈⬛ Wednesday 10am-2pm at VOCAL Saturday 830am-11am (Putt Putt Palzooa @ Easy Street) Saturday 10am-4pm (Pet Palooza @ World Equestrian Center) 🥳COMMUNITY 🫶 It's a big week for events! Paws and Pilates returns to The Remedy Dog Bar this Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm. We know alot of you were hoping to participate, so you will want to get your spot in the class as spaces are limited. Tickets are $30, include a free drink coupon, and $5 from every ticket will be donated to VOCAL. You can get your tickets at the link below: https://www.theremedydogbar.com/event-list 🤯Also we have not one, but two paloozas happening this weekend. You can meet some of our adoptable pets and get in some games of mini golf at Putt Putt Palooza. This event is hosted by the Ocala Business Leaders at Easy Street from 830am to 11am. VOCAL is one of four local charities that will benefit from the procceeds that day! Ocala Pet Palooza returns this Saturday and Sunday to the World Equestrian Center from 10am to 4pm. If you love animals this is an event you will not want to miss. We'll be there with some adorable pups ready for their forever homes, so make sure to stop by the VOCAL booth while you are enjoying the day! 🥳 🤗SHOUT-OUT 🚨 This Saturday we took some of our adoptable dogs to Jenkins Subaru of Ocala at their awesome new location. By providing this stage to spotlight our adopable pets, Subaru's support ensures that more of our amazing shelter pets can find loving homes within our community. #Updates #VOCAL #SubaruLovesPets #Adoption #WeeklyContent
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10/11 - Pup & Pilates at The Remedy Dog Bar with Club Pilates returns! 📅 Wednesday, October 14th 🧘♀️ Class starts at 6:00 PM ⏰ Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in 📍 The Remedy Dog Bar 🎟️ $30 per person 🧘 Bring your own mat ✨ All fitness levels welcome Your ticket includes: 🐾 Instructor-led Pilates class + puppy experience 🐶 Meet adoptable dogs from VOCAL 🍹 1 FREE drink ticket 💙 $5 from every ticket sold is donated to VOCAL For this special event, the space will be closed to outside pets so our adoptable pups can safely join the fun. 🐾 🚨 LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE — grab yours before they’re gone! 🎟️ Tickets are ON SALE NOW through Eventbrite! You can find the link in the Event section of the Remedy Dog Bar website: https://www.theremedydogbar.com/event-list
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10/10 - Moments like these make up so many of our days in rescue. This sweet pup was brought to our organization this week by a compassionate individual who didn’t have space to take her in. Our kennel and adoption managers were there to receive this girl, and they immediately helped her feel better with a gentle bath during her intake!
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10/9 - 🐕🐾PROJECT FEED helps Marion County pet owners take care of their animals, and it is one more way VOCAL works towards its mission to solve the homeless pet problem. We are ecstatic to be able to provide low-income families with pet food. We know pets are in need in this county and helping keep them in their homes and out of shelters is one of our main goals. Being able to supply food to families who need a little extra assistance is a game changer not only for this community, but the animals in these homes. 💕Do your pets need help? To apply visist vocalforpets.org, click the application button, and fill our a program services application! #ProgramsforPets #VOCAL #communitysupport
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10/9 - Tomorrow you need to visit VOCAL at Jenkins Subaru of Ocala. We'll have some adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes! They’ll be ready for meet and greets this Saturday October 10th from 10am to 2pm. You just might find your new best friend! 🐶😺 ❤Event Details🥳 Saturday October 10th 10am -2pm Jenkins Subaru of Ocala 5820 SW College Rd Ocala, FL 34474 Want to see who is available to adopt in advance? You can also save time on adoption day by getting pre-approved to adopt! 📱 Visit the link below to get started: https://vocalforpets.org/adoptions/ #Events #SubaruLovesPets #ASPCA #AdoptDontShop
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10/8 - While our team works tirelessly every day for our mission, we also love to have fun! Last month, our team had a blast at Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc. 's annual bowling competition. Here is a fun little peek at the fun we had. Special shout outs to Angie from Midwest and Chris from Boehringer Ingelheim . We are so thankful for your support.
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10/8 - 🐶This is Gus. We don't know everything about his story or why someone choose to abandon him. What we do know is that Gus was discovered by a person who truly cared for, and that individual made sure that he always felt the love a pet deserves. While Gus may be blind he certainly sees with his heart, and this dog is absolutely one of the most gentle pups on the planet. In our mission to solve the homeless pet problem, we believe that every pet deserves a loving home, and Gus is a great testament to the value a pet's life has! ❤ Thank you to Gus's mom Linda for sharing this amazing pet with the world🥳. Gus was one of the many contestants in our Pet Photo Showdown this Summer. As the winner of the competition, you can now see his photo featured on the First Magnitude Brewing Company beer tap when you visit the World Equestrian Center's Polo Pony! #VOCAL #Story #Gus
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10/7 - Battle at the Beach returns October 24th, and we're teaming up with Phoenix Fitness to raise money for our mission to solve the homeless pet problem. This event is about Lifting for a Cause. Bench Press. Deadlift. Sign-up is $50, and all experience levels welcomed to enter the competition. Come support VOCAL and help us cheer for all the competitiors who are helping our pets! 🏆 Medals & Prizes 💪 Bench Press + Deadlift 💙 Proceeds benefit VOCAL 💲$50 to Sign-Up 📍 Eaton’s Beach on Lake Weir Want to get in on the Action? Head to PhoenixFitnessFL.com to sign up! #BattleAtTheBeach #PhoenixFitness #Powerlifting #LiftForACause #VOCAL
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10/6 - 🎃Spooky and Eerie are ready for their forever home! 🐈⬛ They were rescued along with their littermates from a poison bate box behind a closed local restraunt. At first these kittens were very feral in nature, but they have really come around by developing with their foster, volunteers, and visitors! These two high energy kittens are so playful and sweet. Either Spooky and Eerie would be great in a home with kids, and bringing home both would be sure to always entertain! ❤ If you are interested in adopting, you can apply on vocalforpets.org ✅ #Adopt #Foster #Shelter #blackcat #rescueanimals
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10/5 - 🚨WHAT COSTUMES DO YOU WANT TO SEE? 🤩 Comment with your costume ideas for Kate and Zoey to present next week's update!!! 🤗 😻CLINIC🩺 Monday - Surgery Tuesday - Closed Wednesday - Surgery Thursday - Surgery Friday - Drive-Thru Shot Clinic Saturday - Closed Sunday - Closed 🥣PROJECT FEED 🐕 Tuesday 9am-Noon Thursday 4pm-6pm 🐶ADOPTIONS🐈⬛ Wednesday 10am-2pm at VOCAL Saturday 10am-2pm (Jenkins Subaru & WEC) 🥳COMMUNITY 🫶 Subaru really loves the pets in our community, and we are so grateful for all the ways they support our mission. We will be partnering with Jenkins Subaru of Ocala to host an Adoption Event this Saturday at their amazing new showroom. By providing this stage to spotlight our adopable pets, Subaru's support ensures that more of our amazing shelter pets can find loving homes within our community. 🤗SHOUT-OUT 🚨 Thank you Pat Myers Electric for helping our facilities work through an electrical issue recently. Your customer service is shocking and your team certainly know to conducts themselves! #Updates #VOCAL #SubaruLovesPets #Adoption #WeeklyContent
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10/4 - 🐶Phil is looking for his forever home! This energetic six year-old Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix breed loves people, gets along with other dogs, and is eager to find a lifetime companion. If you are interested in meeting or making this pup your new best friend, follow the link below in the comments to complete your application! 🐾
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10/1 - 🐾🐶Are you interested in adopting one of the awesome pets available at VOCAL? Our facilities are open from 10am to 2pm every Wednesday and Saturday! We encourage you to complete your application in advance at vocalforpets.org. 🥰By doing so you will be able to spend alot more time with our adoptable dogs and cats. Also, if you are interested in one of the animals currently staying with a foster, this gives us an opportunity to get that pet here for a meet and greet! 🚨Get Pre-Approved to Adopt 🤩 https://vocalforpets.org/adoption-application/ #VOCAL #adoptdontshop #reelschallenge #reelsviralシ
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9/28 - 🚨Spooky season is starting! WHAT COSTUMES do you want KATE and ZOEY to wear this month for our weekly updates? Leave your ideas in the comments! 🤗 😻CLINIC🩺 Monday - Surgery Tuesday - Surgery Wednesday - Closed Thrusday - Closed Friday - Closed Saturday - Closed Sunday - Surgery 🥣PROJECT FEED 🐕 Tuesday 9am-Noon Thursday 4pm-6pm 🐶ADOPTIONS🐈⬛ Wednesday 10am-2pm Saturday 10am-2pm 🥳COMMUNITY 🫶 Subaru really loves the pets in our community, and we are so grateful for all the ways they support our mission. Stay tuned for a number of exciting events we'll be particpating in with our friends at Jenkins Subaru of Ocala! #Subaru #VOCAL #Schedule #WeeklyContent
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9/27 - 🐾"Hey there, I'm Chawz. I am a striking-looking fellow with a silly underbite that I like to call charming! I am friendly, love people, and get along with other dogs as well. I came in originally as a stray from Marion County Animal Services , and now I'm ready for my next adventure!" 🐶Have you met "Chawz" at VOCAL? This two-year old Husky mixed breed is looking for his forever home, and our Kennel Manager Alyssa wants to share why this pup is going to make an awesome pet! 🤔 🏠If you want to help Chawz find the perfect home, then share this post to help this dashing doggo connect with a potential companion! 🏆You can learn more about VOCAL, apply to adopt, or become a foster by visiting vocalforpets.org 📱 #ShelterDog #Pet #VOCAL #Adopt #Kennels
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9/23 - TOGETHER we raised $44,709 this Give4Marion! Thank you helping VOCAL keep pets with the people who love them. With these resources we are able to spay/nuter more community cats and spay large breed female dogs. We are able to say yes more to individual's pets enduring a medical emergency. We are able to provide more pet food to families in need and keep our kitty cabins a place of comfort. Thank you for giving, sharing, and creating care with VOCAL this year! #Give4Marion2026 #Results #ThankYou
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