Shelter Resources
Navigating local shelters, pet adoption, and pet rehoming/surrender options can be challenging for those seeking immediate help. Please review shelters and organizations that our team recommends, and helpful information to help guide your decision.
Lost and Found
Pinellas County Animal Services
If you have found a stray animal, we encourage you to follow up with Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS), which serves Pinellas County as a resource for stray animals and works in conjunction with SPCA Tampa Bay for the surrender of owned pets. Of course, you are welcome to stop by our clinic to check for a microchip.
If you have lost your pet, please visit PCAS Lost and Found.
Address: 12450 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33774
Phone: (727) 582-2600
Pet Surrender and Adoption
Cat Depot (cats only)
2542 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34234
(941) 366-2404
Closed/open admissions, and “no kill”
You may see terms used to describe shelters as open admissions, closed admissions, or “no kill.”
- “No kill” organizations are simply shelters or rescues that only admit animals they have the time, space, and resources for. They may turn pets away or transfer them to another organization if they don’t have the resources available for them. These shelters are called closed admissions organizations and often have an application process to surrender a pet. Your pet may be put on a wait list until they have the resources available.
- Open admission organizations will accept any animal needing to be surrendered regardless of available resources. They will not turn away a pet in need. These organizations unfairly get a bad rap being called “kill shelters” because they may euthanize an animal if they do not have the resources available to care for them.
Fortunately, Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area have a wide network of shelters and rescue organizations that work together to help save as many lives as possible.
Many shelters will have courtesy posting pages for pet owners who wish to keep their pet until a new home can be found.
FAQ:
What do I do about feral/community cats?
In Pinellas County, we have Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, & Release (TNVR) programs to help manage the free-roaming cat population. Learn more here.
In Pinellas County there are a few resources for TNVR/ community cats:
What do I do if I find injured wildlife?
Please visit: https://spcatampabay.org/wildlife-assistance/