Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc.
No - Kill Animal Shelter
9550 Carlton Road
Port St. Lucie FL 34987
(772) 489 - 5454
Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. rescues abandoned, neglected and unwanted pets in effort to eliminate a growing population of homeless animals in St. Lucie County. The animals at our facility are available for adoption to loving homes and those animals considered un-adoptable will live out their life comfortably at our 10.2 acre no-kill facility in western Port St. Lucie. Since 1997 we have saved and re-homed over 2,400 dogs and 1,800 cats. Our shelter is a 501(c)(3) Non- Profit organization which relies strictly on public donations and volunteers. Today, we are recognized as the only No-Kill Animal Organization in St. Lucie County and we are awarded by our efforts everyday by a simple lick on the face or purr from our furry companions.
| Adoptable Cats | Adoption Application | Foster Care | Wish List | Incoming Animals |
| Adoptable Dogs | Successful Adoptions | Sponsor A Companion | Volunteer Corner | Upcoming Events |
*Land Desperately Needed for DCF Animals!*
Due to unfortunate circumstances regarding our current location, our no-kill, non-profit rescue organization is looking to relocate somewhere within St. Lucie County. We are in desperate need of an (agricultural zoned) 5-acre property with space to build a new facility and allow for future expansion. Our animals are depending on you; any/all monetary and land donations will be gladly accepted.
If you would like to contribute to our rescue in any way please contact Jay via email at MARSEPH@aol.com
Bugsy needs YOUR help and a home!
Bugsy is a young, mixed breed boy who was found at our dumpster searching for his next meal. He tested positive for heartworms and has demodex mange, both of which he is currently getting treatment for. We are currently looking for sponsors to help cover the cost of his treatment and eventually, once he is cured, he will also need a forever home!
If would like to make a donation in Bugsy's name or inquire on behalf of his adoption please contact DCF today!
Kuranda Bed Donation Drive!
For years our dogs have valued the comfort of these durable beds but as our total number of residents increase, more beds are desired. We will need your support to reach our goal of obtaining forty (40) new beds for our current residents!
 | We use Patented Kuranda Dog Beds because they are durable, chew proof and easy to clean. If you would like to donate a bed to us, click here. |
Adoption Procedure:
You must be at least 21 years old
Provide a photo ID with your current address
Provide a vet reference for previous, current or future pets
Allow a home visit by a Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. representative
Have all family members including children and other pets visit your perspective companion
To ensure our animals are placed in their forever homes we temperament test every dog/cat and create a profile for each individual animal. Our animals are kept up to date on their vaccines, are altered once they reach 4-5 months of age and are also kept on monthly heartworm and flea and tick preventative. All of the animals are also microchipped and seen by our vet checked prior to adoption. The animals at our facility are considered and treated as part of our family and we want to be absolutely certain their new family will do the same.
In addition to filing an adoption application we also require an adoption fee which includes the animals spay/ neuter, all up to date vaccinations (incl. rabies tag and certificate), de-worming, tests against illness, a recent vet exam, a copy of the animals medical records and ID microchip implants. Our cat/kitten adoption fee is $85.00 and our dog/puppy adoption fee ranges from $85.00 and up depending on adoptability and medical expenses incured. Since we have been doing the temperament tests and have implemented a more thorough adoption procedure, our adoption rate has increased greatly and previous adopters keep coming back! So if your family is looking for a new companion please view our adoptable pets on our pet list or visit our shelter today.
Foster Care:
As a Non-Profit, No-Kill Animal Shelter we have limited space available for incoming dogs and cats. Due to the increased amount of homeless animals we are in desperate need of foster homes to house, socialize, and rehabilitate animals until they are adopted or gain additional training which makes them more suitable for adoption. While space at the shelter is a major concern, foster homes also help lift some of the stress of finding homes for every animal we come across. Foster parents must file a foster form and be pre-approved before a suitable foster animal can be placed within the home. Foster responsibilities include but are not limited to providing the animal with a loving environment, proper vet care, socialization and basic training. We usually do not foster to homes with young children because we would like the family to focus on the dog(s) or cat(s) needs.
Guardian Angel Sponsorship Program:
Our No-Kill, Non-Profit Animal Shelter has implemented a very successful Sponsorship Program which allows families to donate $10 a month towards the care of a shelter animal. Your small contribution, combined with other "Guardian Angel" donations, will help cover the expenses of food, vaccines and vet care. This program was designed to give those families who cannot adopt, a chance to change an animals life by helping to provide the best care possible. Anyone can sponser an animal and upon sponsorship you will recieve a photo and thank-you note from your choosen sponser animal, as well as, be notified if the animal goes into foster care or is adopted. Become a Guardian Angel today and make a difference in an animals life tommorrow.
It is a great program for school children, girl/boy scout troops and similar groups to get involved with because while relatively inexpensive it also shows responsability. All of our canine and feline friends posted online are available for sponsorship, so please contact us today if you are interested in becoming a Gaurdian Angel!
Senior Pals Program:
In addition to our Gaurdian Angel Sponsorship program, we have also created a special program geared towards our senior citizens and senior companion animals. The program "Senior Pals" enables senior citizens aged 65 years and older to adopt a dog or cat that is six years or older for a minimal adoption fee of $45.00 (Please note that some animals are exempt from this program, however, most are eligible.) Please contact our shelter today for more information on this wonderful program!
Volunteer Corner:
Our organization is always accepting volunteers who are willing and ready to work with animals. Volunteers are required to be at least 14 years of age and sign a Hold Harmless Agreement (if you are under 18 years of age you must have a gaurdians signature), then you are shown around the premises. After being briefed on the procedures of our facility you will be introduced to the animals who you will be working with. Some animals shown to you, you will not be able to interact with, however, many of them you will grow very fond. We offer every volunteer the same oppurunities which range from clean-up and clerical work to working with animals.
Volunteers are welcome anytime from 8am to 4pm everyday and must have their own transportation. Most volunteers choose to help clean in the morning and then spend the rest of the day with the animals. Our dogs are more than happy to be walked, bathed, socialized, etc. Our cats also indulge in the attention they recieve and will gladly take treats from your hands.
Our facility has a volunteer kitchen complete with a fridge, freezer and microwave so we recommend you pack a lunch and plenty of fluids for throughout the day. We also require wearing a t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes, anotherwords come dressed to work with animals. All of the animals are treated as equals and just like humans each animal has his/her own personality and through your experience at our shelter we encourage you to get to know them on a one-on-one basis. Not only does this promote socialization and adoption but because we are a no-kill facility, your favorite pal will remain under our care until he/she is adopted into a loving home. We look forward to meeting with you!
Additional Volunteer Opportunities: We are also in need of volunteers to drive animals to our adoption events and/or help promote adoptions at our two Petsmart locations (Vero on Saturdays and Stuart on Sundays between the hours of 11am and 4pm.) We also attend various adoption events throughout the year so please review our event calander or contact us for more information. The only volunteer requirements are that you must be at 14 years of age and have a Volunteer/Hold Harmless Form filed prior to starting.
Hugs for Homeless Animals Snuggles Project: Make a Blanket & Provide Comfort for a Homeless Animal
Hugs for Homeless Animals is a great website dedicated to animals worldwide. Our organization has recently joined efforts with other animal rescue facilities and with the guidance of H4HA will be accepting donations from their Snuggles Project. For details please visit the Hugs for Homeless Animals website and click on the snuggles project link.
Incoming Animals:
Unfortunately, our No-Kill Animal Shelter is completely full and due to lack of space available we are unable to accept anymore animals. You do have the option of putting your animal on our waiting list but we ask that you try other outlets before calling us. We request that you try placing an ad in the local newspaper, posting flyers in local vets offices and asking friends and family to take in the animal. If the animal is a purebred we also recommend contacting a breed rescue which if they cannot take the animal, may have people waiting to adopt the specific breed. The waiting list moves simply by people adopting our current animals and taking in and adopting out the animals listed before you. There is no time garuntee as we are a small facility with limited space, however, we will do our best to help find a new home for your companion.
Due to limited financial assistance we ask that a donation be given in the animals name when he/she is surrendered to our facility and if possible, the animal be vaccinated and tested against illness.
Wish List:
To continue rescuing animals in danger of euthanasia in other FL shelters we desperately need an animal rescue vehicle. We would prefer one already designed for animals but will also greatly accept a vehicle which can be converted into a rescue vehicle or sold to help us afford a new one. Gas cards are also a huge plus as we travel great distances around FL to pick up and deliver our animals.
Dogs
Supplies
Cat
Supplies
Office Supplies
| We use Patented Kuranda Dog Beds because they are durable, chew proof and easy to clean. If you would like to donate a bed to us, click here. |
Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. Thrift Store:
Any and all money spent at our thrift store goes directly to our animals and helps cover vet expenses and other necessities. We currently have a need for furniture to sell so if you or someone you know recently received new furniture and doesn't know what to do with their old furniture please donate it to our Thrift store. We also accept clothing and other homebound items. Our telephone number is (772) 337-1062 and pick-up is available.
UPDATE: Our previous thrift store sustained substantial damage from the recent hurricanes and has been relocated to the following address:
Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. Thrift Store
Fountain Plaza
10036 Federal Highway (US-1)
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34983
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Directions to our facility:
Dogs and Cats Forever, Inc. is located in Western Port St. Lucie on Carlton Road. We recommend using mapblast.com or mapquest.com to configure more accurate directions if you are visiting from out of the immediate area, however if you are visiting from within St. Lucie County you may resort to the directions below:
From US - 1
Take US - 1 to Prima Vista and head west into St. Lucie West. Follow Prima Vista (which turns into St. Lucie West Blvd.) over the I-95 overpass and go through the light. You will come to a round-a-bout with a large sign reading "PGA Reserve" where you need to merge right onto Commerce Center Parkway. Follow Commerce Center Parkway all the way around to Glades Cut-off Road. You will go over a set of railroad tracks and see a blue Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. sign with an arrow pointing left. Make a left onto Glades Cut-off Road and follow it down approx. 8 miles until you see another Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. sign with an arrow pointing right. Make a right onto Carlton Road and proceed about 3 miles down until you reach Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. Animal Shelter. You will see our sign at the end of the driveway and be sure to bring a cell phone with you if you have one just in case you need assistance.
From I - 95
Take I - 95 to the St. Lucie West exit and proceed to head west onto St. Lucie West Blvd. You will come to a round-a-bout with a large sign reading "PGA Reserve" where you need to merge right onto Commerce Center Parkway. Follow Commerce Center Parkway all the way around to Glades Cut-off Road. You will go over a set of railroad tracks and see a blue Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. sign with an arrow pointing left. Make a left onto Glades Cut-off Road and follow it down approx. 8 miles until you see another Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. sign with an arrow pointing right. Make a right onto Carlton Road and proceed about 3 miles down until you reach Dogs & Cats Forever, Inc. Animal Shelter. You will see our sign at the end of the driveway and be sure to bring a cell phone with you if you have one just in case you need assistance.
