rescue stray and abandoned animals

Adopt A Stray works with animals that have been abandoned to the streets of the South Broward and North Dade counties.  We provide medical care for those that are sick, socialization for those that are fearful of human contact and a safe haven for all until we can find a permanent home for them.  We do not take owner-surrender cats because as a home based no kill rescue organization the number of cats we can care for depends directly upon how many adoptions we have. In the spring and fall "kitten seasons", we are full of kittens as well as their homeless mothers. During these times, we as well as virtually every other rescue group is bombarded with calls from people who have a litter of kittens that they "need to find homes for" while the rest of the year is spent trying to find homes for the cats that didn't get adopted during the last kitten season or the season before.

As a "no-kill" animal rescue group, sometimes we get left holding the bag-or the cat as it happens! Adopt A Stray has many cats that may not find a family who wants to adopt them. Some have medical issues, others have aggression towards humans or other animals while some are too shy or were just never cute enough to be adopted. These animals have nothing to worry about because we will care for them for the rest of their lives. (see our Sponsor page to see our animals who can use your support)

adoptions

We always have animals that are in need of new, loving and forever homes. Our animals are fostered in our own homes, so our caregivers can give you keen insight into the animal you choose. Our caregivers can give you a better understanding of the animal's personality and even tell you what kind of food, toys, and environment will help make your new animal feel right at home.

We think you will agree that dollar for dollar, shelter/rescue pets will always be the best value for your money. We want you to have a long, loving and rewarding relationship with your animal. We'll be there to help you select an animal for your home and to help your new family member adjust to your life together.

• Tested for Feline AIDs
  
• Tested for Feline Leukemia
  
• Rabies Vaccination (if age appropriate)
  
• FVRCP Shots
  
• Dewormed
  
• Checked and treated for fleas with Advantage
  
• Spayed or Neutered

All of our dogs are available for adoption with the
following for the small adoption fee of $125.00:

• Tested for Heartworms/Heartworm prevention
  
• Tested for Erchlichia and Lyme Disease
  
• Rabies Vaccination (if age appropriate)
  
• Annual Distemper/Combo Shots
  
• Checked and treated for fleas with Frontline
  
• Spayed or Neutered
• Dewormed 

 Most of our pets are shown at the PetSmart stores in Aventura and Pembroke Pines. Dogs are shown on weekends or  by appointment and many of our cats call the PetSmart Adoption Center their temporary homes. Once Adopt A Stray rescues a stray or abandoned cat or a dog they live in foster care in the homes of the volunteers. There we get a good idea how the pet will be with children and other animals. Once there is a space at PetSmart, cats can move in to what we hope will be a very temporary home. The cats are loved several time a day by dedicated volunteers and this is a safe place where potential adopters can meet and love on our cats.

Adopt A Stray volunteers also bring their other fosters on weekends, especially the younger kittens or the ones that have not had the chance to move into the PetSmart Adoption Center.

rescue from animal hoarders

Adopt A Stray has been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of many cats and dogs from hoarding situations. Adopt A Stray removes the animals from the hoarding conditions, provides, medical care, socialization and loving homes for the rescued animals.

For most people, the term "animal hoarding" conjures up images of an eccentric "cat lady." Despite the stereotype, animal hoarding has serious repercussions for the animals involved. Hoarding is defined as having more animals than you can provide nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care for. It also generally includes the denial of the inability to provide this care and the resulting starvation, illness and death of the animals.
 

In one typical hoarder's home in Caroline County Maryland, animal control found more than 300 cats, including more than 70 felines in various forms of decomposition and equally as many cats in need of immediate medical attention. If the smell of animal death weren't enough, volunteers also encountered surfaces covered with inches of waste and garbage.

Locally, Adopt A Stray was instrumental in the rescue of 25 dogs and 103 cats (see Crinkle, Snap and Poppy). The hoarder was a school teacher whose neighbor reported the strong stench coming from her home. Most were caged, but all were living in their own feces mixed with litter and food. The filth was embedded and caked-on from their feet to their knees, taking an enormous effort to get them cleaned up. Adopt A Stray still has several of those kitties from that tragic situation, fortunately, they are in loving foster homes.

Animal hoarding is physical, medical and physiological animal neglect in the extreme. The unsanitary living conditions and lack of veterinary treatment and social interaction for animals all add up to serious neglect. The animals involved often endure a variety of ailments, such as malnutrition, parasitic infestation, infection, and disease.The amount of suffering in a hoarder case is more widespread and of a longer duration than most animal cruelty cases. 

feral cat care and TNR (trap neuter return)

 Left unaltered, free-roaming cats continue to reproduce creating more homeless kittens. Through TNR, free-roaming cats live out their lives without adding to the homeless cat population. According to scientific studies, free-roaming cats gain weight and live healthier lives after being altered. TNR programs are proven to stabilize and significantly reduce the size of free-roaming cat colonies. By limiting free-roaming cat populations, fewer unwanted and homeless cats are taken to shelters.
 

Trap/neuter/return, commonly referred to as "TNR," is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral cat population growth. Using this technique, all the feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory where caretakers provide them with regular food and shelter. Young kittens who can still be socialized, as well as friendly adults, are placed in foster care and eventually adopted out to good homes.

For more information on TNR view the TNR Video