Monisha Seth is a retired internal medicine physician with AdventHealth Medical Group in Winter Park, Florida. She and her husband Anthony founded Franklin’s Friends in 2003 after adopting their first dog Franklin from the SPCA of Central Florida. They are now the proud parents of 3 rescued hounds – Winston, Lincoln, and Jolene. Franklin’s Friends is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization. Their mission is to support Central Florida animal welfare by awarding grants to local nonprofit and government agencies that are dedicated to Shelter/Rescue, Spay/Neuter, or Community Education projects.
Franklin’s Friends are strictly a volunteer based organization with no paid employees. They pride themselves on fiscal responsibility. Expenses for their fundraising events run under 15%; well below the industry standard of 33%. Franklin’s Friends raises money primarily through two signature events – “Unleashed. Uncorked. Unframed” (a cocktail attire event with spectacular live and silent auctions) and “HOWL-O-WEEN” (a fall dog walk-a-thon and canine costume contest). Then, through a rigorous application process they grant those funds to deserving local animal welfare agencies.
This year will be the ninth annual HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Walk-a-Thon and Canine Costume Contest on October 22, 2022 from 9 am to noon. In order to accommodate more vendors and walkers, they are hosting the festivities at Cranes Roost Park at Uptown Altamonte in Central Florida. Please join us to fundraise for local animal welfare by registering here. Last year HOWL-O-WEEN raised over $42,000!
This year Franklin’s Friends celebrated raising their 2 millionth dollar for local animal welfare while hosting the ninth annual “Unleashed. Uncorked. Unframed.” gala on May 7, 2022. Over 200 supporters donned their cocktail attire and came together to support the cause. It was a magical evening that raised a record $172,000 for pets in Central Florida! Please be sure to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s “Unleashed. Uncorked. Unframed.” on May 20, 2023, at the Winter Park Events Center.
Franklin’s Friends accepts grant applications year round from organizations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, Lake, Brevard, Hillsborough, and Polk Counties. Franklin’s Friends will only contribute funds to 501(c)(3) organizations or government agencies that are veterinarily and fiscally responsible and will not consider applications from individuals. They will also not provide grants for the purchase of property or buildings.
Thank you to Franklin’s Friends for all they do for the pet community. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or learn more visit their website at FranklinsFriends.info.
Our pets are family too! To learn more about protecting your loved pets with a Pet Trust, visit ACT4Pets.org.
