Robin Ann Kantner-Nordan
June 23, 1959 ~ July 24, 2023
Robin Kantner-Nordan of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away on July 24, 2023 at Flagler Hospital.
Robin, who was originally from Peekskill, New York, married the love of her life, Larry Nordan, in 1988. After settling in St. Augustine, Robin worked at the Humane Society in Putnam County. In her free time, she and Larry enjoyed walks on the beach and RV road trips with their dogs to their favorite locations, including Cape Canaveral. Robin, Larry, and their cherished pets weathered two hurricanes that flooded their St. Augustine Beach neighborhood, but Mother Nature couldn’t convince them to leave their beloved home near the beach.
In 2008, Robin co-founded SAFE Pet Rescue of NE Florida; S.A.F.E stands for Saving Animals From Euthanasia, and the mission is to save animals whose time has run out in animal control facilities. The inspiration was Robin’s Yellow Dog, a sweet but terrified dog that was dumped at an area shelter because the owners “didn’t need him anymore.” After saving Yellow Dog and making him part of her family, Robin vowed to help other dirty, neglected, unloved or scared dogs that are often euthanized rather than given a chance to blossom in a loving home. When SAFE was founded, there was no physical shelter, just a handful of volunteers who fostered pets in their homes. Today, SAFE has four shelter locations and has saved over 28,000 dogs and cats in Northeast Florida and surrounding areas. SAFE was Robin’s passion, and it is her legacy. She made a tremendous impact on the community by helping decrease euthanasia rates, providing wonderful pets to enrich people’s lives, and of course saving the lives of thousands of animals who were given a second chance at life. Robin inspired those around her to push themselves to make a difference in the world.
Robin is survived by her best friend and husband Larry Nordan, brothers Leslie Kantner and Bryan Kantner, stepsons Lucas Nordan and Shawn Nordan, niece Dale Kantner, and nephews Eric Kantner and Bryan Kantner, Jr. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Kantner, and her mother and stepfather, Dale and Stanley Shapiro.
There will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SAFE Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 840215, St. Augustine, FL 32080, or www.safe-pet-rescue-fl.com
https://safe-pet-rescue-fl.com/
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Our entire family sends our condolences to Robin’s family and loved ones. We are inspired by her dedication to saving animals and helping pets in their time of need, including our Junie, a SAFE alumni. We vow to continue Robin’s legacy by helping and rescuing as many pets as we can during our lifetimes. With love,
Junie Weeks and family
Hannah and I send our heartfelt love and condolences.
We wish there were more people in the world like Robin. She has saved so many and we are so sad to hear of her passing. We fostered for SAFE for several years, made donations, walked many dogs but yet to scratch the surface for as much selfless giving as this woman has done. We included a pic of our own foster fail Savanna looking over the St. John’s River. Robin will be missed. Thankfully SAFE will continue her mission. ❤️
My husband and I have adopted two dogs from SAFE. And although I have never met Robin in person I knew of the wonderful work she did and her dedication to all animals. Her spirit will be missed. Let’s all honor her by continuing her work and keeping her legacy alive.
So sorry to hear about her passing. She helped me with my 3 legged Snoopy I adopted from SAFE. Such sad news. Heaven gained an angel.
Such a profound loss to the rescue community. I will miss your unrelenting spirit and passion for every dog and cat that was lucky enough to enter your orbit. I will always remember the early years with you and precious Jean. Please know your legacy is strong and has the support of so many who have been touched by your fearless care of fur babies. I thank you and those who carry on your mission. Until we meet again at the Bridge.
I am so glad she created SAFE. We have my doxi, Rudy and recently adopted Jake. I am so sorry for the family’s and SAFE’s loss. I am sure she was met with many dogs and cats when she passed.
My love and deepest sympathy in memory of dear Robin.
Larry is my cousin and Robin was his heart and soulmate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry and his family. We love ya.
I am so sorry to hear of Robin death! I have foster and adopt from SAFE in the past.
Our prayers are for her and her families. Also for the volunteers of SAFE!
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Robin's passing. She did so much good for the animals and people in this community; my husband and I knew her and Larry before she started SAFE. I would run in to her from time to time and she was always kind and full of positive energy. Sending our condolences and prayers to Larry and her family, and to all of her staff and volunteers at SAFE. ~ Joanna & CJ Sunderman
Glo and I first learned of SAFE shortly after moving to St. Augustine. One of our dogs escaped from a boarding facility. We spent months searching. Robin came to our aid by keeping lookout for him at the SAFE shelters. While we did not have the privilege of meeting Robin in person, we were extremely grateful for her help. We have since adopted two dogs from SAFE and we volunteer at the SAFE adoption events. Robin was one of God’s angels on earth. I know she has a very special place in heaven.
Thankful for the 3 puppers from you over the years. The love and supportive measures you took to save creatures was beyond measurable. Our rainbow bridge baby’s are lucky to have you…. So were we. Peace.
Thank you for helping me find my Manny a new home. I'm sure you will be missed by many. Wonderful lady with a big heart. May you rest in peace.
Larry is our nephew. We wish we could be there with you. Knowing she is not suffering anymore bring comfort to you.
I worked with Robin when she was with the human society. She was a awesome co worker and her love of animals was special. I know there are lots of animals that greeted her when she arrived in Heaven .
Bless you for all you have done for the animals most in need. You have more than earned your angel wings and no doubt have many furbabies waiting to see you again. Condolences to the family and friends. Gone but absolutely never forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies what a great loss to all I am so very sorry may the lord hold her tightly in his arms
God called one of his Angel's home.
Robin will be missed here on earth. Her hard work and dedication to the voiceless speaks volumes. All who knew her loved her.
Watch over us Robin as we continue your legacy.
A true loss for so many, both two and of the four legged kind.
The Rainbow Bridge will be full of countless spirits..
The animal world lost a true hero. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
RIP Robin, You are truly going to be missed!!! Prayers to All of Her Family and Friends…Be ready for Lotts of kisses at the 🌈 Rainbow Bridge!!!
I have worked with Robin for Atleast 6 + years. She will be greatly missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with her family & Larry.
No words could I say that would be enough for all Robin has done in the rescue world. I volunteered with Robin in SAFE pet rescue over 10 years. I watched a dream tun into the best rescue on the planet. My love for Robin has always been endless. She will be the biggest loss in our community and most importantly the rescue world. Every rescue I do I will dedicate it along with Riley Adam the pup I adopted from Safe that changed my life forever.
Godspeed my beautiful friend
The World was a better place with Robin here on Earth…dedicating her Life to Saving Animals From Euthanasia…I will continue to support you and dedicate all the efforts to Robin. She leaves behind so many loved ones, dedicated employees and a rescue community that is devastated…but, we will carry on Robin🐾♥️🐾
Larry, our thoughts and prayer go out to ya'll. We loved spending time with you guys and miss seeing you. Robin was a great woman and will be missed by many. All our love.
What a kind big hearted woman there isn't any word to thank you enough for all you have done for so many fur babies my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family a great life taken to soon 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Thank you for all you've done for the greater good of the animals. Rest in peace dear lady.
I have adopted 2 wonderful dogs from SAFE. Losing Robin is a terrible loss for her friends and the furbabies. I’m sure she will have a huge welcome party when she crosses over the bridge. You won’t be forgotten.
Thank you for everything you’ve done to find loving homes for such sweet pets. We are forever grateful that we adopted Rusty from you.
Because of you, I met my best friend, Benji. The impact you had on so many lives, both human and 4-legged, is incomprehensible and those of us who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with you are truly the blessed ones. You will be forever remembered.
Robin will be missed terribly. I hope her phenomenal efforts to rescue animals will continue with her wonderful staff.
Robin. i know you are by surrounded all the fur babies you helped save that found a better life well lived. You will continue to be a hero and i hope to help carry on your legacy. I thank you for helping save my Lucky 🍀 cat’s life.
One in a Million- never met you- always appreciated your time, work, energy- thank you so much. May your legacy continue and may you be toppled over in the grass at the bridge with wagging tails, slobbery kisses and kitty head buts – God rest your soul. And thank you.
Thank you for all you did to better animals. You made such a difference to so many. It was an honor to know you. God bless your family.
Thank you for service and care for so many wonderful animals who otherwise may never have known love. May you're generous spirit live on through those you've touched. Rest in peace.
I met Robin through my daughter and fostering dogs. I worked briefly at the thrift store and was only a fan of what she was doing. I watched SAFE grow into the heartbeat of the community that it has become and thank Robin and all the workers and volunteers that have walked with her all these years. I pray that her legacy lives on with a strong leader and constant support. Although I did not see Robin a lot, I will miss her presence in this town. Many blessings and prayers for her family.
There will NEVER be another Robin. Never. She did more to help not only the neediest animals, but the humans that were lucky enough to welcome them into their lives, than any other person on Earth. It was an honor and a blessing to know her. S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue and Friends of Jacksonville Animals, Inc. were founded on the same day in 2008, and the void she now leaves is bottomless. But S.A.F.E. will carry on because that is how Robin will live on. My only solace is picturing the greeting she received on the other side of The Bridge. I can guarantee it is not even CLOSE to winding down! Well done, dear Robin. . . until we meet again.
the world needs more people like you that devoted their life for such a worthy cause. continental village seems light years in the past.
I loved you Robin! You were one of a kind. I will miss you forever. You were an angel and helped so many animals and the humans that adopted them from SAFE.
You gave it all,and hopefully we can do a little more 💞💖
Thanks you so much for all you love and dedication to help the sweet, helpless animals of the world. SAFE has provided our family with years of loving companions that will forever live in ours hearts. Bless You for all the lives you have saved and made better by your selfless dedication.
Rest easy now Aunt Robin, love on all for those furries that met you at the Rainbow Bridge 🌈, save me a spot. Thank you for our sweet boy Pip Squeek. Kisses and love to Grandma Dale (Cora May) I know you get that. Love ❤️ you and always live by your rules. XOXOXOXOX
Bless you for all that you have done to save furry friends and give them another chance at life and Love.
Macy is one of your wonderful rescues 3 years ago. She is now a well loved and well behaved Princess now. Thank you and your amazing associates that all do so much to save cats and dogs.
Thank you is not enough. You will be so missed. Your legacy will live on forever in the tireless love and compassion you showed, not only to your rescue animals, but all living things that were lucky enough to have crossed your path. I know all the wiggle butts, biscuit making purrs and sloppy kisses were waiting for you in heaven. with love k