Capital Campaign
Help Us Double Capacity to Serve Pets
To meet the growing demand for affordable veterinary services in Southwest Florida, we are launching the Paws for Wellness: Building a Healthier Tomorrow campaign — a bold step toward ensuring more pets receive the care they need by building the new Gulf Coast Humane Society Veterinary Clinic.
Give to GCHS
Be Their Lifeline
Gulf Coast Humane Society does not receive federal, state, or county funding. Every adoption, every medical treatment, and every second chance is made possible through the generosity of people like you.
Your support provides safety, healing, and hope for pets in need and helps strengthen the bond between animals and people across Southwest Florida.
Medical Clinics
Pet Services
Gulf Coast Humane Society is dedicated to being a safe haven for pets in need by providing medical care.
Our Programs
Help Us to Serve Pets
Programs offered by Gulf Coast Humane Society are designed to help up us achieve our mission of helping find loving homes and care for the pets of SWFL.
Resources
Help Us to Serve Pets
Gulf Coast Humane Society provides vital resources to our community every day. Our programs are designed to support our mission of ensuring pets across Southwest Florida receive compassionate care and find their way to loving homes.
About Us
A Mission to Serve Pets
Dedicated to being a safe haven for pets in need by providing medical care, promoting adoptions, and nurturing the bond between pets and people in Southwest Florida.
Our shelter does not receive any federal, state, or county funding and no funding from the Humane Society of the United States or ASPCA. We rely solely on donations, grants, bequests, and fundraising events to further our mission as stated above.
Behavioral Recommendations and Support.
At Gulf Coast Humane Society, we recognize that behavioral challenges are one of the most common reasons families consider surrendering a pet. To help keep pets in their homes and to support adoptive families, we provide several behavioral resources.
If you are experiencing behavioral concerns with your pet, our team can provide:
Our goal is to help every adoption succeed. For adoptive families, we offer:
These services are designed to keep pets in loving homes and help families feel confident in managing behavioral challenges.
To discuss a behavioral concern, please contact joy@gulfcoasthumanesociety.org or call (239) 332-0364.
Helping pet owners facing financial difficulties.
Gulf Coast Humane Society is proud to announce a new partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank, uniting efforts to feed both pets and people throughout Southwest Florida. With generous support from the Fort Myers East Rotary Club’s gift and grant, we are deepening our commitment to be better stewards of these resources, providing over 3,500 pounds of food monthly and feeding more families and pets, expanding access to vital veterinary care, and strengthening overall community well-being.
Partner Agencies:
Together, we are building a healthier, more cared-for community. Where no one gets left behind, whether two-legged or four.
VA Hospital
Each month, Gulf Coast Humane Society delivers over 800 pounds of pet food to the VA Hospital, ensuring veterans and their four-legged friends, never go without. This ongoing effort reflects our deep commitment to serving the community and meeting people and pets, where they are.
We are dependent on the generosity of the community to donate dog food both wet and dry, cat food both wet and dry, puppy food both wet and dry, kitten food both wet and dry, treats, and cat litter.
Pet Food Pantry donations can be dropped off at our campus at 2010 Arcadia Street, Fort Myers, FL 33916, just off exit 138 on I-75. Donations can also be ordered via Amazon, Chewy, and other online stores and delivered directly to us.
Providing support, compassion, and resources.
At Gulf Coast Humane Society, we recognize that the decision to surrender a pet is never easy. It may be one of the most difficult and emotional choices a pet owner will face. Life circumstances such as financial hardship, housing challenges, medical concerns, or behavioral concerns can sometimes make it feel impossible to continue caring for a beloved companion. Please know that you are not alone, and seeking help is an act of love and responsibility.
Before surrendering, we encourage you to explore the following resources that may help you keep your pet at home:
If surrender remains the only option, GCHS is here to provide a safe haven for your pet and compassionate support for you.
All animals are accepted by appointment only. Space is limited and availability depends on the size, breed, and individual needs of each animal. Once your surrender application is submitted, a Gulf Coast Humane Society team member will contact you to schedule an appointment to meet your pet.
Because the appointment process can take several weeks, we ask that you take an active role in trying to rehome your pet while you wait. Before a scheduling link is sent, we will verify that your pet has been registered with Home to Home, a direct rehoming service that empowers owners to find new families for their pets.
Through Home to Home, your pet will be promoted on their website, and a link will also be featured on the GCHS website to help potential adopters find available dogs and cats. This approach benefits both pets and families by keeping animals out of the shelter environment and placing them directly into new homes.
During your scheduled surrender appointment, our team will evaluate your pet through a physical exam, temperament test, and kennel assessment. Please be aware that if your pet cannot be safely handled or does not adapt to the kennel environment, we may not be able to accept them into the shelter.
The Gulf Coast Humane Society requires a surrender fee to help offset the cost of caring for and rehoming pets. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of surrender.
As a private, nonprofit organization, Gulf Coast Humane Society receives no government funding and is not affiliated with any national humane organization. These fees directly support the care, housing, and medical needs of the animals entrusted to us.
If you have found a stray animal, it must be taken to the appropriate county Domestic Animal Services agency. Per county ordinance, Gulf Coast Humane Society is only permitted to accept pets surrendered by their legal owners.
Taking stray animals to Domestic Animal Services is essential because these agencies are the first point of contact for owners searching for their lost pets. This ensures that lost animals are entered into the county’s system, held for the legally required stray period, and given the best possible chance of being reunited with their families.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services
Collier County Domestic Animal Services
Charlotte County Animal Control
As a limited admission shelter, we encourage you to explore alternative options for rehoming your pet(s) by reaching out to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and other adoption shelters and organizations. Websites like Home To Home and AdoptAPet can also be valuable resources for finding new homes for your pet(s).
If you adopted your pet from a shelter or rescue, you may want to check with them first about rehoming your pet to them.
For additional alternate pet surrender and adoption agencies, please click here to download a pdf.
Frequently asked questions about the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
To help make sure the right match is made, we’re happy to place a 24-hour hold on adult dogs for adopters with an approved application who would like to bring their own dog in for a meet-and-greet. A small hold fee is required, but it will be applied toward the adoption fee if you decide to take your new friend home. Please note that this option is only available for adult dogs and does not apply to puppies or cats.
We are committed to supporting you and your pet for life, including during unexpected situations. Every adoption includes a complimentary wellness exam at the GCHS Veterinary Clinic. To schedule your pet’s exam, simply contact the clinic and let them know you have recently adopted from GCHS. They will be happy to arrange an appointment for you.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that require the urgent placement of a beloved pet. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact our intake specialists for assistance and available resources. You may email rehome@gulfcoasthumanesociety.org or call (239) 322-0364 ext. 325 for support.
If you find small kittens outdoors, the most important step is to pause before immediately moving them. Here are some recommendations to determine whether the kittens truly need intervention.
Remember: Very young kittens (especially under 4 weeks) are fragile and require specialized care. Whenever possible, keeping them with their mother until weaning is the safest and most natural choice.
We want every adoption to be a successful match. For this reason, we ask that you visit the shelter to meet the animal in person before applying. Simply let our dedicated adoption staff know which pet you are interested in, and they will be happy to arrange a meet-and-greet for you.
Your gift supports our mission to be a safe haven for pets in need by providing medical care, promoting adoptions, and nurturing the bond between pets and people in Southwest Florida.
