Gabriella Bianco sat in her Brooklyn apartment watching TV with her mom, Denise Cangemi, in 2014. During the commercial break, Sarah McLachlan’s melodic voice came on, “Into the arms of an Angel…” The music was the score for a public service announcement about animal cruelty, published by the SPCA. That moment led to an afternoon of tears and a lifetime commitment to helping neglected and abused animals.
Gabriella and Denise began volunteering at local animal rescues. They collected and raised funds for local shelters, showing how community support can make a real difference. They continued that effort when they moved to South Florida. Now a student at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Gabriella continues that effort today.
The mother-daughter team collects donations from the community and delivers them to Broward County Animal Care, United for Animal Rescue (UFAR) in Margate, and other area rescues.
“There are so many dogs and cats that need help,” said Denise, “the shelters need help with almost everything. Students can earn service hours by walking dogs or just spending time with them. They desperately need funds to help offset veterinary expenses.”
Pet dumping has become an increasing problem in South Florida. It frequently gets worse after the holidays, when so many pets that were purchased as presents become unwanted.
“People have been dumping dogs out in our backyard,” said Wendy Betulia with UFAR. “They are tying them up to trees, they’re leaving them abandoned in our play yard.
“Cats are almost weekly,” she continued. “left in cages out front, dumped in cages in the lobby, they are pretty much everywhere, wherever you can abandon a cat around this whole building, they do.”
According to a study by the University of Florida, Florida shelters took in over 202,000 cats and 150,000 dogs in 2024. The number of abandoned pets has steadily increased since 2020. Dog and cat admissions to shelters hit all-time lows while adoption rates accelerated during the pandemic.
UFAR has been dealing with dumped and abandoned animals since opening its storefront at 366-364 S. State Road 7 in Margate. The no-kill shelter has more than 250 cats and dogs available for adoption.
Denise reiterated the challenge’s level. “It is no longer a series of isolated incidents. It is a crisis now. We need greater consequences for people who harm or abandon animals.”
“UFAR is in great need of help. They just can’t afford to house and vet all of their animals.”
The rescue has partnered with the Humane Society of Broward County to help find homes for some of the rescue’s pets who have been living with the rescue for a long time. UFAR rehomed 800 pets in 2025 alone.
Betulia is concerned about the rescue’s ability to continue. “What if we have to shut down? What’s going to happen to all these animals here? Who’s going to take them?”
If you want to help, visit UFAR’s website or Instagram to adopt, donate, or volunteer. Every action helps save lives. https://ufarescue.org/
