Friends of Strays, Inc.

No one cares more for animals in the community who are deserving of a second chance. Outstanding organization and people - and beautiful new facilities thanks to dedicated donors in the community.

I've been involved with Friends of Strays -- St. Petersburg’s oldest no-kill animal shelter -- for several years now, including as a member of the Board of Directors. It is a privilege to be a small part of a team so dedicated to the well-being of the animals in our community. I am proud of the continued direction of this organization, which serves as a leader and an example for how animal welfare nonprofits should be run. I am also humbled to serve on the Board of Directors with community leaders and experts in the field. Our expansion plans have been a particular point of pride for all of us. The people of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and Tampa Bay are fortunate to have Friends of Strays leading the way on behalf of the animals we serve.

Have been a cat volunteer for about 3 years. I chose FOS as my permanent shelter after volunteering at other shelters because of the caring and professionalism that staff and other volunteers showed the animals. The new Cat Box is the perfect shelter for cats! Being a volunteer is very rewarding.

I've known and appreciated Friends of Strays since moving to St Petersburg in 1989. Leading the movement to No-Kill at a time when that concept was uncommon, the dedicated volunteers and loving staff have done an exemplary job in protecting companion animals.

You could not ask for a BETTER friend for the strays then this one! I live in a large community in Clearwater & unfortuneately we have A LOT of feral cats! It has been quite the challenge to trap these fur babies but FOS has been there every step of the way! From encouraging me, to providing the humane traps and their wonderful TNVR program! We are truly blessed to have them!
Rachelle Roach

Friends of Strays is a wonderful shelter. The staff is always putting the animals first, and they constantly run events and programs to boost adoptions and foster care. They even recently moved their adoptable cats to a new location just for them, and I am sure the kitties are so much happier and healthier with peace and quiet away from the dog kennels. Plus, now the dogs have more space at their original location, too! FOS serves one of the least advantaged neighborhoods in St. Pete, and they do it so well!

I love this place! I rescued my dog from them 10 yrs ago I had her for 2 years she was a senior at the time. Also I have donated items to them often and used the meow now program to fix community cats. Also occasionally volunteer for them. I just love them and what they do for animals!

I first adopted 3 cats from this facility. When I retired, I wanted to do some volunteer work. I started two days a week cleaning cat cages and hanging around with the cats. I then progressed to working with stressed cats to make them more social. What I saw greatly impressed me. I have been on the board of a much larger nonprofit for 25 years, and this much smaller organization does wonders. The staff is dedicated, friendly, and caring. Some of the rooms are open and some are caged depending on the cat's personality. I have seen the staff interact with the public, and they do great work. I have also donated money. The volunteers I have worked with here love this place. Great organization

The animals are given so much love and attention and the staff go out of their way to make sure everyone is comfortable and cared for!

Friends of Strays makes a huge impact in our community, thank you for all that you do!

When I have time, I love to volunteer with friends of strays. Everyone there is so sweet and care so well for the animals

I’ve been a volunteer here for a few years now. I enjoy going to the shelter and walking the dogs. I’ also adopted one of my cats from FOS and I’ve set up a guardianship with FOS so my cats will be cared for if something were to happen to me. FOS is a wonderful organization that I support fully.

I absolutely love Friends of Strays and volunteered there before I moved out of state. Animals were treated impeccably and the employees were knowledgeable, kind, and helpful.

We fostered through Friends of Strays. They were so supportive of the animals and of foster parents. Our little foster dog was so sad but they saved her life from a kill shelter. She couldn't see well, hear well and for a few weeks we didn't think she could even bark. She was adopted and sadly only lived a few months afterwards but they gave her the chance to end with a happy life.

This is a shelter where all of the staff knows every cat and dogs name. The dogs wag their tails when the vet technicians come to give them meds. Volunteers are appreciated. Friends of Strays reaches out into Pinellas County with programs that neuter stray cats.

We Thank you F.O.S for helping us with plenty of dog food in hard times also the staff was super friendly you guys rock thank god for friends of strays sincerely 007

Great staff services and animals. Adoption was smooth and we found our furever babies! We have had 3 successful adoptions!

We adopted our sweet kitty from FOS in May of 2020. It was easy, they had great protocols to keep people safe, and there was no pressure at all—they let us come as many times as we wanted and told us as much as they could about the kitten we were looking to adopt. We’ve been back many times to play with all of the kitties and support them how we can—we can’t recommend adopting from them enough!

We have several strays in our neighborhood and called several local animal organizations to find out about their services for strays. I discovered Friends of Strays. They have an amazing program for Catching and Releasing strays after they have been spayed or neutered, given a rabies shot and flea treatment. It costs nothing to use this service. Every time I called with questions, they always answered and were so responsive. They also have cats and dogs to adopt that are treated like pets, not commodities. Everyone was friendly and helpful. A GREAT organization.

I love this wonderful group of people who love animals and dedicate themselves to their care and safety. I highly recommend.

I adopted Molly, aka Savi now on June 2nd, 2022 and it was the best experience!! I loved the staff there and all the kitties. It was so hard to choose but I found my baby. She is doing so well and is now 7 months old. She’s growing up so fast and she is the best companion. I love her so much. Thank you for a wonderful experience. This place is 5/5!

I've been involved with Friends of Strays for over 10 years as a volunteer and donor. The team has always been devoted and passionate about their mission to save cats and dogs. The current CEO Dara is amazing and has made so many improvements that have led to higher adoption rates and better health outcomes. They've expanded their work in the community too. Not every shelter operates with this level of dedication and passion. St Pete is lucky to have FOS.

I love seeing all the pics of the animals up for adoption on Facebook, it really makes me smile hearing about them getting new homes.

It has been many years when pet stores were in malls. I walked in at lunch and saw the cat I would come back to take home. We had her for about 13 years. I have been following FOS for quite a few years and love all the things they do for their wards and when someone needs help finding a home for an animal they can no longer care for. They work to TNR, they have doggie days out. They are a caring group of people and have fosters that love to help make sure every animal gets a wonderful life.

The people who work here are saints! Friends of Strays does so much great work helping the adoptable cats and kittens, working with Fosters to ensure proper medical Care, and also working with the community for TNR resources. Ten out of ten stars!

Friends of Strays is a wonderful rescue. The staff are friendly and helpful. They take in animals and work hard to get aid and rehabilitate them. A great rescue that is worthy of the cause. Volunteering and helping animals is what i most enjoy with them. Being able to take a dog on a dogs day out or enjoy running around the kitten room with toys, it's always a welcoming place. When I consider adoption, I think of them.

I have 2 Kitty Cats that need picked up as I am handicapped and can not walk, nor Drive. I can No longer feed the two Cats. Female cat is Whitney she is white. Male cat is Bobbie he is Black. They are sweet cats, but hungry. Please please pick them up. I can be reached at 727-637-1065. I am in Clearwater, Fl.

I’ve been volunteering here for a while now and it has been such an amazing experience. The staff is accepting and kind, the animals are well taken care of, and the workspace is clean and organized. I have never had any issues there whatsoever. It is obvious when volunteering there how much the employees love the animals and how badly they want them to go to forever homes. They take the time to work with animals who have specific needs, and are a no kill organization, believing that every animal is adoptable. I plan on volunteering here for much longer, and eventually even working here full time.

I started to volunteer here during the summer. Ever since I started to volunteer here I have meet some amazing people and seen them do some amazing things. Everyone who works there is really nice and treats everyone like they are family. Since day one I have felt welcomed. They also have done some pretty amazing things for animals. They took in a liter of puppies that were going to be killed if they didn't take them. They also helped a dog with a lot of issues be adopted. There are weeks were they don't have any dogs because the day that they get them they also get adopted. They treat all these cats and dogs amazingly. I have had cats that are very shy the first day I meet them and when I come back the next week if the cat is still there it walks right up to me and wants to be pet. They do amazing things for these animals. My parents are thinking about getting another pet and we definitely want to get it from here.

Friends of Strays is great! The staff is nice and makes sure everyone who walks through the front door is part of a whole. I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at such a giving place.
I have never felt redundant as a FOS volunteer. I have been thanked and greeted like staff from the moment I asked to apply, to the moment I leave to go home after my shift. I am sent emails from Friends of Strays keeping me up to date, reminding me of changes being made or social events even volunteers can join. I was even sent a birthday letter thanking me for my contributions.
Potential adopters or visitors will not be treated with any less concern. I have confused walk-ins for volunteers, before. All guests are welcome at this nonprofit.
Everyone and everything is comfortable and comforted at FOS. Not only do the staff members know the cat and dog's names by heart, the building is cleaned twice a day, veterinary assistance is always available and there are areas/opportunities for the cats and dogs to stretch their legs in designated areas. I also appreciate how potential adopters are vetted.
The staff makes sure that all fur babies are sent to live in loving homes. Animals are adopted out quickly, within reason! You must have the proper pet care history, documentation and landlord approval (if necessary) in order to adopt from this shelter.
FOS has cuddle rooms for guests to interact with possible members of the family. Only so many dogs are permitted per room so the animals are able to be interacted and cohabitated with stressfully. I take advantage of the cuddle rooms, myself, on breaks during my volunteer shift. It's nice to walk in one week and see that the animals you were playing with the week before have been adopted out, so you can play with the new cuddle companions to be adopted out the next week.
All in all, this organization has far exceeded my expectations. As it will yours. I am proud to be a Friends of Strays volunteer.

Friends of Strays is a wonderful place to volunteer. I never worry when I am walking dogs. The dogs are friendly and very enjoyable to be with. FOS workers make me feel valuable as a helper and I like their company.

The team at Friends of Strays is extraordinary. They care deeply for the animals in their care, as well as our community. I love the creative programs (such as doggie day out, happy cats and pet food pantry) that have made a huge difference in finding animals forever homes and keeping them there even through tough times. I really like how friendly and helpful the staff are to each other, to volunteers and to the adoptors. I have adopted four cats, fostered dozens of kittens, and spent countless hours volunteering. I encourage anyone interested in adopting a cat or dog, volunteering of their time, or financially supporting an animal shelter to consider them. You won't be disappointed.

I've been volunteering with Friends of Stray Inc out of St. Petersburg, FL for several years and have truly enjoyed the experience of both helping the animals in our community as well as meeting like-minded people. It's also fantastic to see the businesses throughout the community support the rescue effort through their donations of money, time and use of their space. It really is a lovely feeling to see everyone come together through volunteering and donating time, efforts, space and love in support of the animals.

Volunteering with FOS has been an eye opening and rewarding experience. I am relatively new to the organization, since January 2020. I try and volunteer at least once every weekend, as my schedule permits. The shelter itself is very clean and organized, with specific protocols for each task. Training on each task has been very straightforward and there is always staff nearby for should I need any help or have questions. It may not be glamorous to clean cages, mop floors, or vacuum, but that is not why I volunteer. It is to spend time in between cleaning, or at the end of the shift with the animals. Or to watch prospective new owners fall in love with one of the sweet cats or dogs, and finally to watch them walk about the door with their new best friend. It is so rewarding to see the process and to be part of a happy ending. The highlight of volunteering here is seeing first hand how well these animals are cared for and loved while waiting for their forever home. Each staff member I have interacted with truly cares about the health and well being of the animals. I am more than happy to assist with the daily task so that it frees their time to rescue more animals. FOS is a great organization and I hope to continue being a part of it!

I have enjoyed volunteering at Friends of Strays for over a year. I am enormously impressed with the dedication and passion of the staff and other volunteers. Friends of Strays is like a loving family with everyone working together and supporting one another. Each cat, kitten, dog, and puppy is cherished. Just being there puts a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

I've been volunteering at Friends of Strays for 3 years. I started when I first moved to St. Pete. I spent a lot of time there - mainly doing laundry, cleaning cat cages and rooms and socializing the cats. I have always enjoyed the group of volunteers and the staff - makes it a warm fun place. I've had lots of laughs there. 2 years ago I moved to Tampa and now I'm involved in more things like special events when I can. The team gives me an opportunity to do lots of different things. Now - the cats and dogs. The place is always so clean and there is a tremendous focus on socializing the animals to adoption. The compassion is amazing. The board is amazing and Dara Eckart - the CEO - has such a vision. Her impact has been invaluable. The fact that they hired a full time veterinarian on site shows their commitment to the health of the animals. I love FOS

I've been a volunteer at Friends of Strays since 2015. Prior to working at FoS, I didn't know very much about animal shelters. I now know that it takes dozens of man-hours a week to do all the work that is required, and that money is dear, and must be spent carefully and wisely. For these reasons, volunteers are a vital part of the equation. The staff at Friends of Strays lets us know how important volunteers are by treating us warmly and professionally. The onboarding process is organized and efficient, and we are trained to do as many tasks as we are comfortable with, with the safety of volunteers and the visiting public of paramount importance. With the wide array of duties, volunteering is always interesting. The facility is bright and cheerful, so coming to work is always a positive experience. Most of all, we know we are an important part of turning cast off cats and dogs into beloved pets. As someone with time to give, loves animals and wants to make a real difference in the community, I feel fortunate to have made Friends of Strays an important part of my life.

I've been a volunteer with FOS since summer/fall 2017. I usually volunteer about 6-8 hours per month, which can vary depending on my work travel schedule. I've found the staff to be highly organized when it comes to training and utilizing volunteers—especially our younger volunteers, many of them high school students who are getting their required volunteer hours. There's always plenty to do around the shelter, and I have the autonomy to choose which task I want to perform next when I've finished any assignment I've been given. Plus, I get plenty of time to snuggle all the cats and dogs. I can't think of a better place to spend my Saturday morning—I always leave feeling so appreciated by the staff and all the four-legged residents.

I’ve been volunteering at FOS for 4 years and have loved the experience. There are several positions available, all of which are fulfilling as well as enjoyable as you get to interact with the animals. The staff are friendly and welcoming as are the other regular volunteers. Everyone there clearly cares deeply for the animals as well as the adopters. I’m so happy I’ve found FOS and grateful for the opportunities they have given me.

I have been a Volunteer for this organization since 2010. I volunteered at the Thrift Shoppe and the shelter 3 days a week. FoS has had its ups and downs, but at this time, with a new director that is focused on what FoS needs, it is going in the right direction. I am proud to say I am part of this organization. I went to another local shelter to volunteer, but they did not make me feel a part of them like FoS. I truly love this organization and want nothing but the best for them. FoS has a great staff, new director, and lots of dedicated volunteers which make FoS a great place to volunteer!!

I volunteered for this rescue and was treated very badly. The volunteer intake process was nice enough, but once we got down to business, there was one problem after another. I was working in a new "day job" -- volunteer work doesn't pay the bills and was very clear on my application that I could not be there on certain days and at certain times. The volunteer coordinator assured me they would work around that. Only they didn't. There were some reasons, but none of those reasons excused the rude treatment I got from the vet tech. I was transporting the kittens I fostered (I live over an hour from the rescue) and got caught in traffic. I called and left a message that I was stuck in traffic and she called me back and said "You're still in bed, aren't you!" When I explained that I was not still in bed and was stuck in traffic, because the rescue had failed to work around my schedule and the the location of my home, she said "Well, where are you then!" I dropped the kittens off, and the staff all treated me like a complete failure as a foster. When I called later to see how the kittens had done during surgery, the receptionist told me they were "fine" without asking for their names. I hope the kittens were "fine" and thay they are thriving in their forever homes. I'll never know, because Friends of Strays would not tell me what became of them.