Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County
Our Promise to Animals
At the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, we are more than just a shelter; we are a family dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals. We offer a promise of hope to every homeless pet that walks through our doors.
Our Commitment to Care
As a non-profit organization, we provide a safe haven, nourishment, enrichment, and the love of our devoted staff and volunteers. We proudly uphold a 93% save rate and are committed to standing by every animal, providing the veterinary care and training they need for as long as it takes until they find their forever home.
How We Help
We work tirelessly to support over 2,500 homeless animals annually. Beyond our shelter, we offer programs like foster opportunities for puppies, kittens, and nursing mothers, ensuring they receive the hands-on care necessary for a bright future.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe that adopting is about finding the best match possible between your lifestyle and a pet’s unique personality. Our counseling process ensures you have the time and support needed to find the perfect companion, as we prioritize long-term, successful relationships over quick adoptions.
Join Our Mission
Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer, or support our medical care fund, there are many ways to get involved. We invite you to visit our shelter on Drance St. in Port Charlotte to meet your new best friend or explore our website to see how you can help us continue our lifesaving work today.
- Staff dedication
- Ease of adoption process
- Communication breakdown
7/31 - Groups unite for pet adoptions
ARCADIA — DeSoto County Animal Services is bringing together a number of groups and inviting the community to an Adoption Event.
6/15 - Funding crisis threatens Charlotte County animal shelter
Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County faces closure risk due to rising costs outpacing county funding. Officials seek increased support at June 16 commission workshop to keep shelter open.
5/7 - Pets of the week: AWL, EARS, Suncoast Humane Society - Florida Weekly
Suncoast Humane Society pets Collin is a 4-month-old bundle of energy who loves to play, explore and stay on the move. He’s happiest with an active, patient family who can help guide him as he grows. Whether Collin is tagging along on adventures or curling up for snuggles, he is both a fun travel buddy and a total cuddle bug. Maxine is <a href="https://www.floridaweekly.com/articles/charlotte-county/pets-of-the-week-awl-ears-suncoast-humane-society-4/">[…]</a>
10/9 - TOMORROW! 🤠 Just ONE day left to grab your tickets to the Howlin’ Hoedown! Join us at Oakshire Farms for a night of great food, live music, dancing, and drinks, all while supporting the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County. 🍖 BBQ from Top Notch Smokehouse 💃 Line dancing by Lindsey 🍹 Full bar by Pour Decisions 🎶 Live country music by Chase Skinner Don’t wait! Grab your tickets today and get ready to kick up your boots for a great cause! 🎟️ Tickets: Link in bio!
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10/6 - Fall in love this season at the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County 🍂🐾 So many lovable, adoptable faces are waiting to steal your heart. ❤️ From whiskers and wagging tails to feathers and little hooves, your next great love might be waiting for you here. Come meet your new best friend and see who you fall for! 🐶🐱🐰🐷🐦 Open 11–5, 7 days a week 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte, FL 33980
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10/3 - Another surgery day spent helping shelter pets get one step closer to healthier, happier lives. 🐾❤️ AWL is the largest intake center in Charlotte County, FL and is currently caring for more than 200 dogs and 300 cats. Days like this are such an important reminder of how much work goes into caring for such a large number of animals and how meaningful every spay, neuter and surgical procedure can be. Grateful to play a small part in helping these animals along their journey. 🩺🐶🐱 #ShelterMedicine #VeterinaryMedicine #SpayAndNeuter #AnimalRescue #ShelterPets
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9/30 - Are you ready for the Howlin’ Hoedown?! 🤠 It’s coming up quick! Join us Saturday, October 10th, for a night of country charm, great food, live music, dancing, drinks, raffles, and ADOPTABLE DOGS, all while supporting the animals in the care of the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County! 🐶❤️ We’ll be gathering at the beautiful Oakshire Farms for a fun-filled fall evening featuring: 🎶 Live country music by Chase Skinner 💃 Line dancing by Lindsey 🍖 Food from Top Notch Smokehouse 🍹 Cocktails, beer & wine from Pour Decisions & More Mobile Bar 🎟️ Exciting raffle prizes 🐾 Adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes Every ticket purchased helps provide food, shelter, medical care, enrichment, and second chances for animals throughout our community. Dust off your boots, grab your friends, and get ready to eat, dance, drink, and do some good! 🤠🐾 We’ll see you at the Howlin’ Hoedown! Visit the link in our bio for tickets! 🔗🎟️
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9/25 - As #nationalpetweek comes to an end, we can’t stop thinking about the ones still waiting. These animals didn’t do anything wrong, they’re just waiting for someone to choose them. We are full. Right now we’re housing and caring for almost 500 animals, and every single one is waiting for the same thing. Some of them have been waiting months for a home of their own, for someone to finally say yes. This National Pet Week, if you’ve ever thought about adopting, this is your sign. Come see them for yourself. If adopting isn’t possible right now, sharing this could be what finally gets them notices. #adopt #animalwelfareleague
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9/22 - A Message from Our Executive Director, Tara Zajas, and Board President, Melissa Lockhart Today is a great day! We have officially signed our contract with Charlotte County to continue providing care for the animals they bring to us. The best part of today’s news is that we get to continue serving our community and our homeless animal population. We get to keep our doors open and remain Charlotte County’s open-door, no-kill shelter. ❤️ Thank you to the County Commissioners and County Administration for working with us, and a huge thank you to our board, volunteers, staff, and community for standing by us. We’re excited for the future and for the thousands and thousands of animals we’ll be able to continue saving. But our fight isn’t over yet. We still need your support! If you’re looking to help, there are so many ways to get involved. You can adopt, foster, volunteer, or attend our events to come out and support us. Thank you all for sticking by us. If you have any questions about how you can support our shelter, please reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you! 🐾❤️
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9/20 - Shelters everywhere are full. Rescues are full. And behind every kennel door is a dog who has no idea why they’re still waiting. Some have been abandoned. Some have been given up on. Some have watched people walk past their kennel over and over again. And they still hope. 💔 They still get up when someone walks by. They still wag their tail. They still look at you like maybe… just maybe… you came for them. We need you. They need you. Today is the LAST DAY for 1/2 OFF adoption fees for medium and large breed dogs over 6 months old. Please come meet them. Look into those eyes. Give the dog who keeps getting overlooked a chance. Will you be the one who finally chooses them? Will you be the one who makes them believe in love again? ❤️🐾 Please adopt. Please share. Please don’t let them keep waiting.
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9/19 - Our shelter is full. Behind every kennel door is a dog waiting for someone to stop. Someone to see them. Someone to give them the chance they’ve been waiting for. We see them every day. We know their goofy personalities, their happy tail wags, their sweet faces and how much love they have to give. And it breaks our hearts knowing that so many of them are still waiting. We need you. But more importantly, THEY need you. On September 19 & 20, all medium and large dogs over 6 months old are HALF OFF their adoption fee. Please come meet them. Walk through our kennels. Look into those faces. Give them a chance to show you who they are. You may walk in thinking you’re just coming to look…and walk out having changed a life forever. If you can’t adopt, please share. One share could reach the person one of these dogs has been waiting for. Our kennels are full. Our dogs are waiting. We need you. They need you. Please help us get them HOME. 🐾
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9/18 - Our kennels are FULL!! We need help. We need YOU. ❤️🐾 September 18, 19 & 20, adoption fees are HALF OFF for all medium and large breed dogs over six months old! Look at these faces. Each one—and MANY more—is waiting for someone to choose them. Someone to love them and finally take them home. If you’ve been thinking about adopting, please come meet our dogs. They deserve a forever home. 📍 Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte Can’t adopt? Please share. Your share could help one of these sweet dogs find their person. ❤️
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