Our mission is to inspire compassion for all animals, provide shelter and humane care to homeless animals, and promote adoptions and responsible pet guardianship in our community. We believe that animal companionship should be accessible to all, and we work every day to ensure there is a safe, loving home for every adoptable animal.
Founded in 1978, Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is St. Petersburg’s oldest no-kill animal shelter. Over the decades, we have remained committed to our top priority: connecting animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit that receives no government funding, our lifesaving success is only possible thanks to the dedicated support of friends like you.
With thousands of cats and dogs entering our doors every year, our staff and volunteers provide the utmost love and care for every individual that comes into our custody. From expert medical attention upon intake to our life-saving programs like MEOW Now and our community pet food pantry, we strive to create a better world for pets and people. We focus on humane education, pet retention, and community empowerment to ensure our animals receive the second chance they deserve.
Adopting a pet is a wonderful, life-changing experience, and we are here to help you find the right match for your family. We encourage adopters to visit us in person to meet our available animals, as many people find that an animal often picks them! We are dedicated to creating lasting bonds and helping every animal in our care transition smoothly into their new life.
Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer your time, or support us through a gift, your involvement makes a tangible difference in the lives of animals. We invite you to explore our available pets online or visit us to begin your journey toward a new companionship.