About

Operation Ava is a no-kill animal rescue located in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.  Their mission is to provide life saving rescue and medical assistance for dogs and cats and the families that care for them. The rescue has three primary goals: 1. to provide foster, rescue and adoption services through their Save-A-Life program, 2. To help less fortunate families afford the necessary medical care for their sick pets and 3. To educate kids of all ages on the issues facing homeless, abused and neglected dogs and cats.Operation Ava began when then 9-year old Ava and 12-year old Lexie Gutierrez, both caring girls who have a passion for helping sick and homeless animals decided to make a difference.  In July 2009, they visited a local animal shelter and were touched by the large number of sick, homeless and unwanted animals at the shelter. This visit opened their eyes to the growing reality of our times-millions of animals are in need of help and many never get it. One day after Christmas in 2011, Operation Ava reached a milestone - 1,000 adoptions.