About APR

Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that rescues and shelters stray, surrendered, abused and neglected dogs and cats with the goal of caring for them and finding them new homes.  APR is one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in South Florida.  Over the past decade, APR has provided comprehensive care for 6,800 dogs and cats that have come through the shelter and have been placed in new homes, as well as for community cats that have been trapped, neutered and released.

APR was incorporated in 1996 and has since been an active member of the community and a determined advocate for animal welfare.  APR’s roots began with a team of women trapping, spaying and neutering community cats, also called feral cats.  The group soon realized the greater need to help abandoned dogs and cats and opened the no-kill shelter located in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Today, the shelter has the capacity to house up to 200 cats and 30 dogs. There are six free-roaming cat rooms for cats to socialize including an outside ‘catio.’  Dogs have individual, air-conditioned kennels for large to small breeds plus an outside play-yard to exercise.  A staff of 18 members care for the animals 365 days a year.  Over the past five years, APR has taken in an average of 275 animals per year and has successfully adopted out 255 animals per year into loving homes as well as provided 20 medical adoptions per year, which allows pets with special needs to be in a home while continuing to receive medical care from the shelter veterinarian.

APR has an on-site clinic with a licensed veterinarian and trained technicians to provide on-going medical care, essential vaccinations, spaying/neutering and other general surgeries for the shelter animals.  When animals arrive malnourished, abused or unwell, APR staff works to rehabilitate and nurture these animals so that they can be placed successfully in homes. APR also assists volunteers with their community cat colonies by vaccinating, spaying/neutering about 300 cats each year, often providing more extensive medical care for injured feral cats in these colonies.

APR has six board members comprised of various professions including accounting, law, engineering, real estate, civic leadership and the arts.  The board of directors plays a vital role in maintaining the shelter’s structure, strong financial condition and overall mission to help stray and abandoned animals.

Over 60 active volunteers assist APR in daily tasks around the shelter and are a vital component to pet adoptions and fundraising events.  These volunteers walk dogs, help with chores, interact and comfort animals, transport animals to adoption events, greet visitors, and assist in fundraising and marketing.  APR invites students and adults to complete their community service requirements and welcomes community groups and companies to partake in service projects that improve the shelter.

With the help of its dedicated and compassionate team, APR strives to maintain the highest  standards in order to fulfill its mission of providing the best care and outcomes for the animals.  Our donors and community can have confidence in knowing that their support for APR is used to save and improve the lives of animals and enhance the well-being of our community.  The need for funding is always growing; please donate, volunteer, and adopt today.