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.