Why Should You Adopt From a Local Shelter?
The decision to bring home a new family member is an exciting one! Studies show that people with pets are happier, healthier, and more active than those without pets. However, before you check out pet breeders, you should consider adopting your new furry friend from a local shelter or rescue. Consider the following national statistics:
- Every year, more than 6.5 million animals end up in shelters. (ASPCA)
- According to the ASPCA, a quarter of the animals in shelters were abandoned by their owners. (ASPCA)
- Around 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. (HumanePro)
- Some shelters were rehoming up to 13 dogs a day during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Washington Post)
The annual Florida Shelter Animal Census conducted by the University of Florida found the following:
- In 2020, Florida shelters took in 313,547 dogs and cats.
- More than 1/2 of those animals admitted were strays/free-roaming.
- Almost twice as many cats are euthanized compared to dogs.
- The number of cats being taken in by shelters has remained high, whereas the intake number for dogs is decreasing.
If you and your family are unsure about your ability to adopt and care for a pet, you may consider volunteering at a local shelter. Many shelters need volunteers for a wide range of tasks, from puppy companions, dog walkers, and volunteer staff for adoption events to website managers and brochure design. There are even programs that allow kids (and adults!) to come read to the animals! You can also support your local shelter by donating, or by signing up to foster animals as an alternative.
Not sure where to start? Continue reading for a list of local Florida shelters that need your help today!
Local Shelters Near Lake Worth, FL
Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Inc.
5115 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Fl 33405
(561) 586-2126 – Open by Appointment Only
Volunteer Opportunities
Donations
Donation Wish List – Cats
- Friskies wet cat food
- Fancy Feast wet cat food
- Royal Canin KITTEN or BABYCAT dry cat food
- Any brand of grain free cat food (canned and dry)
- KMR liquid milk replacer for kittens
- Advantage II (flea prevention)
- Revolution (flea prevention)
- Tidy Cat multi-cat clumping litter
- Feline pine litter – original non-clumping
Donation Wish List – Other
- Rolls of paper towels
- Clorox or Lysol wipes
- Tall Kitchen drawstring trash bags
- Gift cards (Visa, MasterCard, Target, Walmart, PetSmart, PetSupermarket, or Pet Supplies Plus)
Adoptions
Foster Opportunities
Donations
Save A Pet Florida, Inc.
PO Box 2444
Palm Beach, FL 33480
561-835-9525
Kathleen Wells – President
Erin Ringler – Secretary
Adoptions
Volunteer/Foster Opportunities
- Volunteer Opportunities – Save A Pet Florida, Inc. needs volunteers for the following:
- Adoptions at PetSmart in WPB on Saturdays
- Transport to/from spay clinic
- Animal transport
- Events committee
- Photography
- Website maintenance
- Design work: brochures, invitations, etc.
- Student Program
- Become a Foster Parent
Donations
- Monetary Donations – Where does your donation go?
- $25.00 will feed 2 kittens for a month
- $50.00 will spay or neuter a cat
- $100.00 will spay or neuter a dog
- $250.00 will help with the surgery of an injured dog
NAIA’s Pet Rescue
Dafna Knowles, Founder of NAIA’s Pet Rescue
Adoptions
Foster Opportunities
Donations
Adoptions
Donations
Adoptions
Volunteer/Foster Opportunities
- Volunteer Opportunities – Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue needs volunteers for the following:
- Dog Walker
- Puppy companion
- Special Event volunteer
- Adopt site volunteer
- Laundry
- Cutting surgical drapes
- Taking pictures
- Helping with social media
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Event Coordinator
- Adoption Counselors
- Transporters
- Thrift Store volunteers
- Become a Foster Parent
Donations
- Monetary Donations – Where does your donation go?
- $25.00 a month feeds an animal for one month
- $50.00 spays or neuters an animal
- $100.00 feeds, spays/neuters, tests, microchips and SAVES an animal’s LIFE!
- Sponsor an Animal
- Amazon Wish List
Donation Wish List – Dogs
- Hills or Nutro dry dog food
- Wet puppy food – any flavors
- Puppy formula, dry
- Goats milk for the puppies
- Pee Pee Pads
- Martingale Collars, leashes (no retractable)
- Crates
- Puppy Play Pens
- Flea, tick, heartworm prevention
- Treats: small, medium, large
- Dog Beds, Blankets
- Baby gates
- Towels, new or used
Donation Wish List – Cats
- Dry food: adult and kitten
- Wet food: kitten only
- Wee Wee pads
- Soft baby blankets
- Scratching post, cat tree
- Toys
- Kitty Litter: scoopable
- Litter Scoop
- Ferret Hammock
- Cat bed
- Treats, cat nip
Donation Wish List – Other
- Newspaper
- Paper Towels
- Clorox or any bleach
- Blue Dawn Soap
- Small blankets, towels
- Large black trash bags
- Latex gloves: medium and large
- Lunch cooler: soft
- Monetary Donations
- Gift Cards: Pet Stores, Costco, Gas Station, Walmart
- Office supplies (printer paper, post-it notes, ink/toner/drum)
Adoptions
Donations
- Monetary Donations – Where does your donation go?
- $10.00 – Tortoise greens for the week
- $15.00 – Chicken feed for 1 week
- $20.00 – Heartworm Prevention 1 sm pup
- $25.00 – Puppy food for one week
- $30.00 – Heartworm prevention 1 Lg pup
- $50.00 – New Pup Vet Visit
- $75.00 – Dewormer for a month
- $100.00 – Neuter for 1 pup
- $150.00 – Spay for 1 pup
- Sponsor an Animal
- Fundraisers
Peggy Adams Rescue League Alarm
3100/3200 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-686-3663
Rich Anderson, Executive Director/CEO
Volunteer/Foster Opportunities
