<img src="Rescue-Dog-Header.jpg" alt="Brown and tan rescue dog in harness">

COVID-19 RESPONSE

After more careful review of the latest guidance from the CDC, Sarasota County is an area of “high transmission risk” due to the increasing threat of the Delta variant. The current CDC recommendation is that masks should be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status, for areas of high transmission risk.

Therefore, effective until further notice, everyone is required to wear a mask indoors in all public areas, regardless of vaccination status. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Rescue Assistance

HSSC collaborates with several rescue groups to help animals throughout the county, state, and country. We help with day-to-day needs and during emergencies and natural disasters. Although HSSC does not conduct cruelty investigations, animal confiscations, or rescue missions, we are always standing by to help our rescue partners.

HSSC welcomes animals with treatable-but-time-intensive conditions like heartworm disease, ringworm and other skin diseases, anxiety, and complex injuries. Their conditions might put them at risk for euthanasia elsewhere, but HSSC is fortunate to have the space and the resources to rehabilitate these animals. Hundreds of animals are saved every year and go on to live long, happy lives with their new families.

HSSC is a private, limited-admission shelter and only accepts cats and dogs via owner surrender or transfer from another organization. To report suspected animal abuse/cruelty, dangerous/vicious dogs, or a lost/found animal, you must contact your county’s animal services office.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services: 941.861.9500

Manatee County Animal Services: 941.742.5933

For questions regarding transports and rescue assistance, please contact Rebecca Gustafson at 941.955.4131 x112.

Local Partners

In 2017, 912 animals were transferred to HSSC from in-state shelters. These publicly funded facilities have limited space and often look to HSSC when their shelters start to become crowded. HSSC has several transport partners throughout Florida. Whenever necessary, HSSC sends volunteers out in our Animal Care-A-Van to pick up animals. These are just a few of the in-state shelters HSSC regularly accepts animals from:

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services
Manatee County Animal Services
Polk County Animal Control
Lee County Domestic Animal Services
Miami-Dade County Animal Services

HSSC joins forces with many local animal organizations to offer discounted services and exchange programs. Learn more about HSSC’s partnerships.

Transports & Emergency Services

As a rescue partner with the ASPCA and an Emergency Services Placement Partner with the Humane Society of the United States, HSSC receives animals displaced by emergencies and natural disasters. These animals come from around the United States in desperate need of shelter and care.

HSSC has received and rehomed animals from flooding cases in Louisiana and Mississippi, hoarding cases in Arkansas, and even abuse cases right here in Sarasota County. Below are just a few stories of the animals HSSC has helped.

Animal Cruelty
Ebony's Story

Ebony's Story | Animal Cruelty | The Humane Society of Sarasota County

Ebony was confiscated by Sarasota authorities in a highly publicized case of animal cruelty. She was emaciated, heartworm positive, and had skin lesions. HSSC spent two months helping her gain weight and curing her illnesses before she was adopted.

Hoarding Case
Hope's Story

Hope's Story | Hoarding Case | The Humane Society of Sarasota County

Hope was just one of dozens of animals rescued from a hoarding case in Arkansas by HSUS. Ten animals made their way to HSSC, including Hope. She had heartworms and a severe case of mange. And because she had spent her life outside and was unsocialized, she was terrified of everyone and everything. While her skin healed and her heartworms dissolved, our staff and volunteers spent weeks working with her. By the time Hope was adopted, she was a transformed dog.

Flooding In Louisiana
30 Dogs Rescued

Dogs Rescued From Flood | Louisiana Flooding | The Humane Society of Sarasota County

When flooding affected parts of Louisiana in August 2016, Louisiana shelters were overflowing with displaced animals. Complex rescue efforts transported more than 400 animals to receiving shelters in multiple states. HSSC accepted 30 dogs from Acadiana Animal Aid, including several puppies with ringworm. The puppies were treated and all 30 were adopted from HSSC that fall.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY

2331 15th Street | Sarasota, FL 34237 | 941.955.4131 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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THE ANIMAL CLINIC OF HSSC

1090 North Tuttle Ave | Sarasota, FL 34237 | 941.364.3605 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC., IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES, REGISTRATION NUMBER CH239, AND RECEIVES 100% OF ALL DONATED FUNDS. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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