HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. - A "no kill" animal shelter in Southwest Florida is on the brink of closure.

About 20 years ago, Diane Sheppard started Animal Rescue, Inc in LaBelle. Since then, the no kill shelter has helped match nearly 3,000 pets with loving homes.

"I really want to keep my shelter open," Sheppard told WINK News.

She wants to continue her success, but there's a huge problem.

"Nobody could for see this recession," she said.

The recession has hit her pocketbook really hard. Both adoptions and donations have slowed in recent months. Now she's struggling to stay open.

"I don't think I've been this empty of everything," Sheppard said.

Diane is running out of food and cleaning supplies.

"Right now I'm having some severe problems," she said.

Between the cats and dogs, there's nearly a hundred animals at the rescue shelter. The track she's on now, Diane can't care for them much longer. She's been turning away strays and fears if she has to shut her doors, the animals she has, will be forced to go other shelters where they could be euthanized.

"To me that would be dumping my responsibilities. I don't want to do that. I want to keep my doors open. I want to keep everything going. I don't want to abandon my animals," Diane said.

If you want donate food, money or cleaning supplies to Animal Rescue, Inc of LaBelle, you can call Diane at 863-612-0228

For more details information visit their website at www.animalrescueoflabelle.org