Dog rescue organizations are the quiet backbone of compassionate communities—especially here in Southwest Florida. They step in where good intentions and limited resources collide, taking in abandoned, surrendered, and storm-displaced dogs, providing medical care, spay/neuter services, and sensible training. Rescues also do the “people work”: they educate families about realistic pet ownership in our climate (hello, summer heat), help seniors and veterans find the right companion, and make sure big dogs get fair consideration instead of being overlooked for their size. In short, they reduce shelter crowding, prevent needless euthanasia, and turn heartbreak into second chances with four paws and a wag.
Our region’s unique rhythm—hurricane seasons, snowbird comings and goings, and a housing market with plenty of rentals and HOAs—creates real challenges for pets. Rescues keep a community safety net in place: fostering during evacuations, reuniting lost dogs after storms, and thoughtfully matching animals with homes that suit their energy level, HOA rules, and lifestyle. Adoption events, foster networks, and microchip clinics don’t just save dogs; they knit neighbors together and remind us that character is measured in how we care for the voiceless. Put simply: without rescues, too many good dogs would slip through the cracks. With them, more tails thump on Florida porches—and that’s the kind of tradition worth keeping.
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples (formerly Humane Society Naples)
Address: 370 Airport-Pulling Rd N, Naples, FL 34104
Phone: (239) 643-1555
Email: adopt@pbhsnaples.org
Website: pbhsnaples.org
Description: A no-kill shelter providing adoption, veterinary care, and community outreach in Collier County. They place pets without time limits and run active foster, clinic, and education programs.
Collier County Domestic Animal Services (DAS)
Address: 7610 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL 34104
Phone: (239) 252-7387
Email: dl-das-ops@colliercountyfl.gov
Website: collierpets.com
Description: Collier County’s open-admission shelter handles adoptions, lost/found, and animal control. It’s the county shelter of record for licensing and reclaims.
Gulf Coast Humane Society
Address: 2010 Arcadia St, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: (239) 332-0364
Email: info@gulfcoasthumanesociety.org
Website: gulfcoasthumanesociety.org
Description: A long-standing no-kill shelter serving Southwest Florida with adoptions, spay/neuter, and a public vet clinic. They report thousands of adoptions and surgeries annually.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services
Address: 5600 Banner Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Phone: (239) 533-7387
Email: petadoptions@leegov.com
Website: leegov.com/animalservices
Description: Lee County’s municipal shelter manages intake, adoptions, field services, and licensing. Multiple public contact emails are provided for adoptions, foster, and clinic needs.
Cape Coral Animal Shelter & Veterinary Clinic
Address: 325 SW 2nd Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33991
Phone: (239) 573-2002
Email: info@capecoralanimalshelter.com
Website: capecoralanimalshelter.com
Description: A nonprofit shelter and clinic offering adoptions, vet services, and volunteer opportunities. Animals remain in care until matched with qualified, permanent homes.
Animal Refuge Center (ARC)
Address: 18011 Old Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33917
Phone: (239) 731-3535
Website: animalrefugecenter.com
Description: ARC is one of SWFL’s largest no-kill sanctuary/shelters for cats and dogs, operating by appointment for adoptions and tours. Their mission emphasizes lifetime care until placement.
Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County (AWL)
Address: 3519 Drance St, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Phone: (941) 625-6720
Website: awlshelter.org
Description: AWL is a full-service shelter facilitating thousands of pet placements each year, with adoption, foster, and community support services. Open daily for adoptions.
Suncoast Humane Society
Address: 2620 Worth Ave, Englewood, FL 34224
Phone: (941) 474-7884
Email: information@humane.org
Website: humane.org
Description: Serving Charlotte, Sarasota, and south Venice areas with sheltering, affordable prevention services, and adoption programs. Offers robust volunteer/foster and satellite adoption centers.
Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue (GOFAR)
Address: Facility: 13931 Sophomore Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33912; Donations: 25926 Cockleshell Dr, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Phone: (786) 720-7479; (630) 650-1849
Email: info@gofar.dog
Website: gofar.dog
Description: A foster-based rescue placing dogs and cats across SWFL with transparent contact points in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. They coordinate medical care, fostering, and adoptions.
Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida (GRRSWF)
Address: PO Box 368186, Bonita Springs, FL 34136
Phone: (239) 369-0415
Email: applications@grrswf.org (or info@grrswf.org)
Website: grrswf.org
Description: Breed-specific, volunteer-run rescue for Golden Retrievers and mixes, from intake through placement. Provides foster care, medical treatment, and adoption matching.
Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue
Address: PO Box 990255, Naples, FL 34116
Phone: (239) 434-7480
Email: info@brookeslegacyanimalrescue.org
Website: brookeslegacyanimalrescue.org
Description: A foster-based, volunteer rescue saving dogs and cats from euthanasia and adopting them into permanent homes. Operates via community fosters and weekend adoption events.
Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA) – VSA Animal Rescue
Address: 6017 Pine Ridge Rd #330, Naples, FL 34119
Phone: (239) 290-6274
Email: vsarescue@gmail.com (alt: vsarescue@aol.com)
Website: vsarescue.org
Description: All-volunteer rescue active since 1982, with adoptions (often via the Naples PetSmart center) and low-cost community shot clinics. Focuses on Collier County pets in need.
For the Love of Cats (Marco Island/Naples)
Address: PO Box 10248, Naples, FL 34101
Phone: (239) 642-8674
Email: support@fortheloveofcatsfl.com
Website: fortheloveofcatsfl.com
Description: A Collier County nonprofit dedicated to lifesaving cat programs—TNR, adoptions, emergency medical aid, and community support. Recognized for county-wide outreach and resources.
Alyssa’s Animal Sanctuary (Naples)
Address: 11280 Laakso Ln, Naples, FL 34114
Phone: (239) 304-6412
Email: (contact via website form)
Website: alyssasanimalsanctuary.org
Description: A nonprofit sanctuary rescuing and caring for abused or neglected animals of many kinds, with community education and fundraising programs. Not a traditional adoption shelter, but they do rehabilitate and rehome when appropriate.
​Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue
Phone: (941) 740-0074
Email: erikhoffer@gmail.com
Website: swflgsdrescue.com
Description: A non-profit founded by the Hoffer Family Foundation serving the Naples - Tampa area.
Max's Ark Rescue
Website: maxsarkrescue.org
