Helping Pets Stay in Homes—and Supporting the People Who Love Them
Providing food, veterinary care, and supplies to rescued strays and families in need.
Who We Are
Dreaming in Baby Steps
Hi, I’m Barbie—founder of Five O’Clock Sanctuary, animal lover, and lifelong believer in second chances. This nonprofit was born from a place of love, inspired by two stray dogs who found their way into my heart: Brownie and Twix. They changed everything.
I started this journey to help people like me—those who find a stray, fall in love, and do everything they can to keep them safe, healthy, and home. I know how hard it can be to ask for help, especially when you’re doing your best to give an animal a better life. That’s why I created Spoil-A-Stray—a program that offers food, vet care, and supplies to people who’ve stepped up for animals in need.
But I’m not stopping there. My dream is to one day open a real sanctuary—a place not just for pets, but for people too. I want to create a safe space for veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and those facing homelessness—a place where they can heal without having to leave their beloved animals behind.
This work is personal. It’s emotional. And it’s filled with love. Thank you for being part of it.
Twix: The Spoiled Stray
Twix came upon my friends in early 2021 seeking help, she was starving, abused and choking on her collar and near death. I had lost one of my dogs almost a year earlier, and they immediately thought of me. I took on the task. She is my best friend and truly appreciates her new life and knows she will be loved and safe forever.
Meet Snickers
After the loss of Twix's best friend Keno who passed away in 2022 at the age of nearly 17 (Keno was on the euthanasia list at 10 months old before I had adopted her) I gave it a lot of thought that Twix needed a new friend. At a Pints and Paws event in Sanford, Florida I saw this mirror image of Twix. He was only 8 weeks old and very calm. He only started his life at a rescue and has been living his dream with an older sister and too many friends to count.
Here's Brownie
Brownie has had a life that started out very rough. She approached a human for help, scared, and clearly very abused. She has a permanent scar on the top of her head to remind her of the life she had before now. She also fought Parvo and won! She has been fighting her uncertainty of humans but with a huge team of kind friends and strangers in the world she is not slowly, but QUICKLY figuring out she is safe and loved.
Welcome Leo
Janell read an article about a breeding operation and how the rescues are full, so she took action. She did what she could and adopted Leo. With one less dog in the shelter 2 lives were saved. Leo loves being part of the #5OclockPack and enjoys his new life.
