Let Us Help Keep Your Furry Family Together
Are you experiencing issues with keeping your pet? We would like to offer a variety of resources to research and consider before resorting to rehoming. One of our goals as a rescue community is to keep pets and families together when possible. There are a variety of resources in our area for help in numerous aspects of pet ownership, but you will need to put in some research work and effort to reach these resources - here is a great start from the Humane Society of the United States and also some local to Sarasota / Bradenton, FL resources as well.

Housing Problems

If you are experiencing issues finding pet-friendly housing or nuisance complaints, here is an outline of avenues to try:
Housing Resources
If you are experiencing landlord issues allowing a pet, try getting references from friends/family about the pet or past living situations to establish the pet is well-trusted within a home and not a nuisance or liability.

Pet Allergies

It is important to see a doctor and be tested to determine what allergies you actually have. You may find that you're allergic to something else and not your pet at all! For example, you may assume that you are allergic to your beloved dog, only to find out through an allergy test that you're actually allergic to a specific tree pollen that got on his fur during a walk together, and that's actually what's bothering you.
  1. Create an allergy-free zone to prohibit pet's access
  2. Use HEPA air cleaners
  3. Bathe your pet weekly
  4. Specifically test for pet dander allergy
  5. Consider medications to control allergies

Affordable Pet Care

Anyone can experience an unexpected financial crisis. Don’t panic: Many national, state and local organizations provide assistance with pet food and other essentials, behavioral advice and training, and low-cost or free spay/neuter and other veterinary care. Your local animal shelters or rescue groups can also be a great resource for free or low-cost pet assistance. 
Pet Care Resources

Local Resources

Animal Rescue Coalition (Sarasota, FL) often offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics each month, as well as our local humane society. Reach out to them to see what offers and schedule they have available: 
ARC: 941-957-1955
Sarasota Humane Society: 941-955-4131
Manatee County Humane Society: 941-747-8808
New Local Resource: Southwest Florida Spay & Neuter Services

Check with Local Experts

Many local animal shelters and rescue groups offer a wide range of resources for struggling pet owners, including temporary foster care, help finding pet-friendly housing, assistance with veterinary expenses, free or low-cost training and more. 
Find a Shelter or Rescue

Monthly Food Bank

Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary (Myakka City, FL) offers a monthly food bank of not only cat and dog food but also for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, chickens etc.
They do ask that participants are residents of east Manatee & Sarasota county, west Hardee or Desoto county and that folks register to be recipients.
Registration is simple just need to self verify their zip code and include a list of what species and number of animals they need help with:
Farmhouse Sanctuary Info
The local humane society in Sarasota and Manatee counties offer this program as well.

Training Programs

Many local trainers offer various programs from basic training to board and train. Evaluate what you want to accomplish with your dog and understand that the human always needs as much training as the canine! Begin your search by knowing how advanced of a program you are looking for and what is offered in your area.
Satchel's Last Resort in Sarasota, FL offers a FREE muzzle program to assist families in keeping their dogs that may need extra work and use of a muzzle. Through various meet ups with a qualified trainer, Satchel's is providing all the toold necessary to make your furry friend's outings and experiences the best they can be! Contact them directly to learn more about their muzzle program and how to participate!
Satchels

Rehoming

If you decide that rehoming your pet is the best option, keep in mind that despite the best efforts of shelters and rescues to care for their animals, your home is usually the best place for your pet while you search for an adopter.
By taking on the task of finding your pet a home, you can also reduce competition for limited space and resources in shelters or rescues. Here are some tips for placing your pet in a loving new home.
Remember that charging a fee for your pet doesn't guarantee a safe or loving home. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to ask potential adopters to come meet the animal prior to adoption and consider the responsibility it will take. A home check is performed to ensure the safety of the animal and to ensure the needs they have are being met in the new home. i.e. fenced in yard, no small children, no cats etc. Ask for a vet and personal reference to inquire on the quality of care they give to their animals.  
Local social media rehome pages can be an option to utilize. Ensure you are including all information on the dog including their personality, quirks, faults, vet status etc. Don't necessarily go with the first person who says "ill take it/him/her" that can be a huge red flag if they ask zero questions about the animal beforehand. 

Ensure you....

 - Make your pet more attractive to potential adopters. Have your pet vaccinated and checked by a veterinarian. Making sure your pet is spayed or neutered may also make them more likely to be chosen by a new owner
- Advertise through friends, neighbors and local veterinarians. Your personal network is the best pool of adopters for your pet. Ask your veterinarian if you can place a poster advertising your pet’s need for a new home. Place flyers promoting your pet at work, school, church and other public places you frequent. Include a good-quality photo and appealing description of your pet.
- Leverage your social network. Post your pet’s photo and story and ask your friends to share it on their social streams.
- Be transparent with potential adopters. Be prepared to share details about your pet's personality and how they get along with other pets and people. Share your pet’s favorite things and not-so-favorite things. And share any medical or behavior issues your pet is experiencing so that potential new owners will have the information they need to determine if your pet would be a good fit for their family.
- Get help from shelters and rescue groups. Some sheltering and rescue organizations may post your pet’s picture and profile on their website as a courtesy listing, while your pet stays in your home. Your local agencies may have other programs to help you rehome your pet.
- As a last resort, you may be able to surrender your pet to a local shelter or rescue organization. Each agency may have a different process for surrendering a pet to their care; learn more by visiting their website or by calling ahead.