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11 Animal Welfare Organizations across Southwest Florida Dedicated to Helping Animals in Need

Feb 21, 2022 10:49AM ● By Jessica Wagner

Photo Courtesy of Cape Coral Animal Shelter's Website

There are many animals in need across the Southwest Florida area, both wildlife and domestic. These 11 animal welfare organizations are dedicated to providing the highest level of care for animals that come their way. This is a great way to give back, as many rely on donations to continue their work. Check out which organizations are in your area below!

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

CROW, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, is located on Sanibel Island and is a dedicated teaching hospital and visitor education center for wildlife. Its passionate employees are helping to save wildlife through the best up-to-date veterinary care and medicine, as well as research and education.
They offer a behind-the-scenes look at their wildlife through their live camera feeds, interactive displays, and presentations. They are not just saving wildlife, but they are also educating the public on all there is to know about animals specific to the Southwest Florida region, too.
For more information on all that CROW is doing for the wildlife of our region or to volunteer your time or money, check out their website today!

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on Sanibel Island and is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the nation.
Pioneer conservationist, Jay Norwood Darling petitioned former President Harry S. Truman to sign an Executive Order creating the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945, which was later renamed after Darling himself.
According to their website, "The refuge was created to safeguard and enhance the pristine wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. Today, the refuge provides important habitat to over 245 species of birds."
With over 7 different areas they seek volunteers for, you're sure to be able to find a way to help this refuge. Check out their website today for more information!

VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital

VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital is located on Periwinkle Way and offers veterinary care for cats, dogs, birds, exotic pets, rabbits, reptiles, and pocket pets. They not only serve Sanibel pets, but those in the Captiva, Iona-McGregor, and South Fort Myers areas, too.
Whether your pet is sick, in need of a check-up, or you need pet counseling, VCA offers it all with their dedicated and passionate staff ready to meet you and your pets' needs.
With online information on cat and dog breeds, plus how to care for your pet, VCA helps make you confident about doing the right thing for your animal.
For more information on all of their services, plus a coupon for $20 off your first visit, check out their website!

Gulf Coast Humane Society

Gulf Coast Humane Society, located on Arcadia Street in Fort Myers, offers three different convenient locations depending upon your need. Whether you're looking to get your pet spayed/neutered, your pet is in need of veterinary care, or you'd like to volunteer at the refuge, Gulf Coast Humane Society can provide what you're looking for.
This nonprofit organization was established in 1947 as the first of its kind in animal welfare organizations. It is a no-kill refuge that relies solely on donations, grants, bequests, and fundraising events to ensure they are taking care of the animals in need.
For more information on Gulf Coast Humane Society, check out their website today!

Daniels Parkway Animal Hospital

Daniels Parkway Animal Hospital is located in Fort Myers and is a veterinary hospital dedicated to providing the best care for your pets. They not only offer a variety of veterinary services, but they offer classes on dog training, as well.
With knowledgeable and friendly staff, you and your pet are treated like family. Whether your pet is in need of care, you are looking for help training, or your pet is in need of a haircut, Daniels Parkway Animal Hospital delivers it all.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on all of their happenings, check out their Facebook page today!

Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary

Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter for cats and kittens. Volunteers are constantly taking care of the felines and rather than being in cages, they are in rooms where they have space to roam and have visitors.
Not only does this shelter house healthy cats and kittens ready to be adopted, but they also take in those with special needs, such as FIV and FELV cats. They are dedicated to housing all cats and they not only try to find a loving home, but they are passionate about providing the best care while they are housed in their shelter, too.
For more information on how you can volunteer or to see their upcoming events, check out their website today!

Cape Coral Animal Shelter

Cape Coral Animal Shelter is located on SW 2nd Ave and its mission is to "engage a special bond between people and animals by means of adoption services, medical care, education and training for the prevention of cruelty and abandonment." With values such as compassion, service, trust, leadership, community, and open doors, Cape Coral Animal Shelter is truly dedicated to the animals they take in.
They will also work with pet owners who are thinking of surrendering their animal to identify other options so that the pet is sure to be in a loving place. They are working hard to end discrimination of sizes and breeds, as well as educating pet parents on the importance of spaying and neutering their animals.
For more information on Cape Coral Animal Shelter, check out their website!

Lee County Domestic Animal Services

Lee County Domestic Animal Services has four distinct divisions, including the Lost & Found Pet Center, the Pet Adoption Center, the Veterinary Services & Pet Licensing Center, and Field Operations. Each branch of Animal Services is dedicated to ensuring the highest-quality care to animals in need.
Whether you've lost your pet, are looking to adopt, need vet services or need help from an Animal Control Officer, Lee County Domestic Animal Services has the expertise you're looking for. Their website offers an incredible amount of information for whatever service you need, including pet training, pet owner resources, and ways to volunteer.
To check out all of the services Lee County has to offer for animals, visit their website today!

Paws Lee County Inc

Paws of Lee County is a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, helping to provide quality care at an affordable price for pets in need. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the community about the importance of spaying and neutering to "control pet overpopulation, homelessness, and neglect" since the late 1990s.
Paws of Lee County is located on Pondella Road in North Fort Myers and not only offers sterilization procedures, but vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, canine dental procedures, and more. With pricing directly on their website, you know what you are walking into before you schedule an appointment.
For more information or how to donate, check out their website today!

The Animal Refuge Center

The Animal Refuge Center is located on Old Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers and is the largest no-kill shelter in Florida. It was started in 1991 through the donations of the community, the Animal Refuge Center is able to provide a loving home for animals in need until they are able to be adopted into their forever family. With profiles on each dog and cat available for adoption right on their website, you can browse current animals looking for their permanent home before making an appointment to stop in. Their application for adoption is easily accessible on their website, too, making the process even easier.
Whether you're looking to adopt or looking to volunteer, check out their website today!

Fur and Tails Animal Rescue

Fur and Tails Animal Rescue is located on Kentara Way in Fort Myers and was founded by Carri who had a lifelong dream of having a place "where sick, injured, abused, and other hard to adopt pets could heal and live in a safe, loving environment." This dream came to fruition and is now Fur and Tails Animal Rescue.
Not only does Fur and Tails help dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, but also farm animals, too. All of their pets available for adoption are on their website and you can also see sanctuary residents, current donation needs, and their blog, which provides useful information for pet owners.
For more information, check out their website today!