Resources
Need Help? Start Here.
Find the resources you need for your situation.
Tips to help you find your pet.
Search Nearby
Start walking around the area where your pet was lost. Knock on doors, and ask for help. Lost pets may be scared so check possible hiding spots.
Get The Word Out
If your pet is microchipped, inform the microchip company that your pet is lost. Ask your neighbors, vet, groomer & anyone that knows your pet to keep an eye out.
Post Online
Post your pet on social media platforms including this information: When/where the pet went missing, pet’s name/age/weight, and your contact information.
Lost & Found Pet Websites
PawBoost.com
Petcolove.org/lost
LostMyDoggie.com
Neighborhood apps
NextDoor
Neighbors by Ring Doorbell
Facebook.com (use Lost & Found Pet pages in your area)
Lost Dogs of Broward
Check Local Shelters
Check animal shelters, rescue groups, and animal control agencies. Send emails and call as many shelters and rescues as possible. Contact them to report your missing pet, and inquire about any found pets. Give them information about your pet (weight, breed, temperament, location lost), provide photos and your contact information. Search statewide as many shelters are at capacity, lost and found pets are ending up in shelters hours away.
For a list of shelters, visit Petfinder.com
Make Flyers
Make waterproof “Lost Pet” signs with your pet’s photo & information. Put them around your neighborhood and in local stores, animal shelters and veterinary offices. You can make a Lost Pet Flyer using the free template from Pawboost here.
What to do if you’ve found a lost or stray cat or dog.
Who Do I Call for Animal Control?
Abandoned Pet Rescue does not offer pickup services for stray, lost, dangerous, or injured animals.
For these situations, please contact Broward County Animal Care
Field Services:
Operates 7 days a week, 8AM-8PM
Call 954-359-1313, Option 2 for service. For Emergencies please call 911
Bringing a lost pet to the shelter should be a last resort, not the first step.
If you choose to help a lost pet, please try to hold onto them for at least 72 hours. This gives their family the best chance to find and reunite with them.
Check for I.D tag and microchip
Check if the animal has a collar with identification tags. If no collar or tags are found, bring the pet to the nearest vet or animal shelter to have the pet scanned for a microchip.
Take a walk
Most pets are found within one mile of where they were lost. If the pet is safe to handle, knock on doors nearby see if anyone recognizes them.
Post Online
Take clear photos of the pet, highlighting any identifying features. Leave any collars or harnesses on if the pet was found with them. Post the found pet on social media platforms, including this information: when/where the pet went missing, pet’s name/age/weight, and your contact information.
Lost & Found Pet Websites
PawBoost.com
Petcolove.org/lost
LostMyDoggie.com
Neighborhood apps
NextDoor
Neighbors by Ring Doorbell
Facebook.com (use Lost & Found Pet pages in your area)
Lost Dogs of Broward
Check Local Shelters
Contact animal shelters, rescue groups, and animal control agencies to report the found pet. Send emails and call as many shelters and rescues as possible. Give them information about where the pet was found, provide photos and your contact information.
For a list of shelters, visit Petfinder.com
Make Flyers
Make waterproof “Found Pet” signs with the pets photo and Information. Place the flyers in the area that the pet was found and include contact information.
Surrender Disclaimer
Please review the information below before reaching out.
Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) is a nonprofit, limited-admission animal shelter that cares exclusively for cats and dogs. We do not have a veterinarian on-site daily and are not equipped to assist animals in critical condition or in need of emergency medical care.
As a small facility that receives no government funding, we are limited in the number of animals we can accept. If you have found a cat or dog, or need to surrender your own pet, we encourage you to review the resources and guidance on this page before reaching out.
To be considered for intake, please email info@abandonedpetrescue.org with a description of the animal and clear photos. This is the first step in our intake process for both found animals and owner surrenders. Please note that submitting this information does not guarantee acceptance. Intake wait times may range from one week to several months, depending on space and the individual animal’s needs.
The organizations, websites, and services listed on this page are intended as helpful resources. Abandoned Pet Rescue does not endorse or guarantee any external services but aims to guide you toward potential solutions.
How to safely rehome or surrender your pet, plus resources that could help you keep them.
A Difficult Decision
We empathize with the difficulty of deciding to rehome or surrender your pet. Life presents us with numerous challenges. At times, we are faced with tough choices, especially when it comes to the well-being of our beloved pets. Financial difficulty, illness or injury, changes in living situation or even pet behavioural issues can lead to a person deciding to rehome their pet.
Did you know that there are many resources out there that can help? Surrendering your pet to a shelter should be your last resort, before deciding to surrender your pet, take advantage of these resources to help you make a well-informed decision.
Pet Friendly Housing
National Dog Inclusive Rental Database
Information for renters with pets
Renting With Pets: What to Know Before You Sign a Lease
13 Steps to Finding Pet-Friendly Housing
Pet Behavior Assistance
Adopt-a-Pet.com has assembled a huge selection of tips and advice for solving behavior challenges.
Cat / Dog Behavioral Tips & Resources
Rehoming Your Pet
Before surrendering your pet to a shelter, we recommend trying to rehome the pet yourself, either with a friend, family member, coworker or by using a safe and reputable service like Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet.
Avoid posting personal or classified ads, especially on social media or sites like Craigslist. Rehoming pets via Craigslist can expose them to abuse, neglect, or criminal activities. Never offer pets as “free to a good home” as it can endanger their well-being.
Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet
Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet is a professional pet matching community. Rehome provides detailed tips and checklists on how to create a pet profile, review applications, meet potential adopters, and finalize your pet’s adoption.
All you need to do is to set up your pet’s profile in less than 10 mins. Once complete, your pet’s profile will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com and be seen by millions of visitors each month!
Surrender Disclaimer
Please review the information below before reaching out.
Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) is a nonprofit, limited-admission animal shelter that cares exclusively for cats and dogs. We do not have a veterinarian on-site daily and are not equipped to assist animals in critical condition or in need of emergency medical care.
As a small facility that receives no government funding, we are limited in the number of animals we can accept. If you have found a cat or dog, or need to surrender your own pet, we encourage you to review the resources and guidance on this page before reaching out.
To be considered for intake, please email info@abandonedpetrescue.org with a description of the animal and clear photos. This is the first step in our intake process for both found animals and owner surrenders. Please note that submitting this information does not guarantee acceptance. Intake wait times may range from one week to several months, depending on space and the individual animal’s needs.
The organizations, websites, and services listed on this page are intended as helpful resources. Abandoned Pet Rescue does not endorse or guarantee any external services but aims to guide you toward potential solutions.
Struggling to afford pet care? Find resources for food, vet bills and other support to help you keep your pet.
Find Financially Friendly Pet Resources. Veterinary care, spay & neuter clinics, vaccines, pet supplies, pet food assistance, and more.
The Pet Project
Provides free pet food, reduced veterinarian services, and delivery to the physically disabled, financially challenged, elderly, and/or terminally ill.
Angels for Animals
Affordable vet care, spay and neuter, and grooming services.
Red Rover
The RedRover Relief program provides financial assistance, resources, training, and support to individuals and organizations.
Care Credit
CareCredit helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, including pets.
Handicapped Pets Foundation
Provides new or reconditioned wheelchairs to pets in need.
The Pet Fund
Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals in the United States who need veterinary care.
Find resources for emergency care, affordable spay/neuter, vaccines, and more.
Find Financially Friendly Pet Resources. Veterinary care, spay & neuter clinics, vaccines, pet supplies, pet food assistance, and more.
Affordable Veterinary Services
(Spay/Neuter, Vaccines, Wellness Care) Some locations specialize in cats, dogs, or TNR (trap-neuter-return).
Cooper City Animal Clinic – Cooper City
Discount Pet Clinic – Davie
Pet Well Clinic – Fort Lauderdale
Total Pet Care – Oakland Park
Cats Exclusive – Margate
Pets Broward
Paws South Florida
Purrr – Oakland Park
Sandy Paws – Fort Lauderdale
Tri-County Animal Rescue (Lois Pope Pet Clinic) – Boca Raton
Paws 2 Help – West Palm & Jupiter
The Cat Network – Miami
Miami Dade Animal Services
Humane Society of Broward County
Humane Society of Greater Miami
Darbster Rescue – Spay/Neuter
Barky Pines – Palm Beach
From Shelter to Sofa: Everything your new best friend needs
3-3-3 Rule Printable: Dog Adjustment Period
3-3-3 Rule Printable: Cat Adjustment Period
Surrender Disclaimer
Please review the information below before reaching out.
Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) is a nonprofit, limited-admission animal shelter that cares exclusively for cats and dogs. We do not have a veterinarian on-site daily and are not equipped to assist animals in critical condition or in need of emergency medical care.
As a small facility that receives no government funding, we are limited in the number of animals we can accept. If you have found a cat or dog, or need to surrender your own pet, we encourage you to review the resources and guidance on this page before reaching out.
To be considered for intake, please email info@abandonedpetrescue.org with a description of the animal and clear photos. This is the first step in our intake process for both found animals and owner surrenders. Please note that submitting this information does not guarantee acceptance. Intake wait times may range from one week to several months, depending on space and the individual animal’s needs.
The organizations, websites, and services listed on this page are intended as helpful resources. Abandoned Pet Rescue does not endorse or guarantee any external services but aims to guide you toward potential solutions.