Latest News

Adoption Eggstravaganza March 30-31, 2024

It’s going to be an eggcellent weekend to add a fuzzy member to your family!
If you adopt a pet Saturday, March 30, or Sunday, March 31, you can choose an egg from the basket to win a... Read more

Published: 03/29/24

Pawsitive People: Jessica, Summer, and Nancy

In addition to our wonderful staff, we have an incredible team of dedicated and hardworking fosters and volunteers, without whom we could not dream of accomplishing our mission.Thank you to all of... Read more

Published: 03/18/24

Take the Leap Adoption Special: Thursday, Feb. 29!

Take the leap into pet ownership! To celebrate the leap year, we will have an adoption special on all pets Thursday, Feb. 29! Adoption fees will be reduced by $25 for cats and $50 for dogs.... Read more

Published: 02/27/24

Friends of Strays receives $200,000 grant through Pinellas Community Foundation

Friends of Strays is grateful to announce that we are the recipient of a $200,000 grant for operations through the Pinellas Community Foundation, funded by Rebecca Weiss Sjouwerman and Stu... Read more

Published: 02/16/24

Shelter, Pinellas Cats Alive closures for February 2024

Pinellas Cats Alive! intake will be closed the following dates in February:

Sunday, Feb. 18 - Monday Feb. 19
Intake reopens Tuesday, Feb.20
Sunday, Feb. 25 - Tuesday, Feb. 27
Intake reopens... Read more

Published: 02/09/24

Fix Your Ex! Donate $25 and we'll name a community cat after your ex

Broken heart? Fix your ex!

Petty revenge could make you feel better.
Donate $25 or more by Monday,... Read more

Published: 02/07/24

Vote for 2024 Gulfport Pet Mayor!

Proceeds from the mayoral race will benefit Friends of Strays Read more

Published: 01/29/24

Friends of Strays welcomes Erik Pindar, DVM, as Medical Director

We are excited to announce that Dr. Erik Pindar, DVM, has joined our leadership team as our medical director and shelter veterinarian! 
Dr. Pindar brings with him a strong foundation of... Read more

Published: 01/12/24

December 2023 Pinellas Cats Alive and Shelter Closures

Please note the closures for this month:
Pinellas Cats Alive intake closures:
• No intake Thursday, Dec. 14
• No intake Sunday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.Shelter... Read more

Published: 12/13/23

Home for the Holidays Adoption Special: Dec. 9 - 23, 2023!

You could give the greatest gift to a shelter cat or dog this year: a home. Saturday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 23, Friends of Strays has an adoption special to help our pets get that... Read more

Published: 12/05/23

Pawsitive People: Ashlyn & Sally

It's the season of gratitude, and we're grateful for some Pawsitive People! In addition to our wonderful staff, we have an incredible team of dedicated and hardworking fosters and volunteers,... Read more

Published: 12/05/23

Giving Tuesday: $24,880.03 raised for No Dog Left Behind Fund!

Our No Dog Left Behind Fund is ready to save lives in 2024!

We are grateful for the multitude of support we received for Giving Tuesday! Because so many... Read more

Published: 12/01/23

Friends of Strays to host “Adopt Local Weekend” Adoption Special

Support your local shelter by adopting a pet in need of a new home!
Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26, Friends of Strays will have an adoption special on all pets: $25 off adoption fees for... Read more

Published: 11/20/23

Don't wait for Giving Tuesday!

We’re hoping our community can help us save more dogs in need!
Our No Dog Left Behind fund helps us cover the cost of unexpected, specialist, or emergency needs and behavioral training for... Read more

Published: 11/16/23

Veteran's Day weekend adoption special & closure

Friends of Strays will be closed Friday, Nov. 9, in observance of Veteran's Day. However, we will be open our regular hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for adoptions!Also this... Read more

Published: 11/09/23

November 2023 closures for Pinellas Cats Alive

Due to the upcoming holidays, we have a few important closures to note for our return to field program!

• Thursday, Nov. 9 (Shelter is closed Nov. 10 for Veterans Day)

•... Read more

Published: 10/30/23

Feline adoption fees sponsored through Oct. 31, 2023!

It’s freakin cats! We love Halloween! 
A generous donor has sponsored all kitten and cat adoptions from now through Halloween, as well as Laura Dean, our current longest dog resident!... Read more

Published: 10/27/23

Friends of Strays thanks Dr. Katie Emerson for 8 years of service to cats and dogs in need

After 8 years of care and dedication to the medical needs of our pets, our Medical Director, Dr. Katie Emerson, is moving on to new pursuits. Her last day at Friends of Strays will be Dec. 22,... Read more

Published: 10/24/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! closed for intake Oct. 25-26, 2023

Pinellas Cats Alive! intake will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 25, and Thursday, Oct. 26, of this week. Please do not trap cats for intake these days. Intake will resume Sunday, Oct. 29. Read more

Published: 10/23/23

Tampa Bay Times Guest Column: At Friends of Strays, we’re shocked by what SPCA Tampa Bay just did

Guest Column: At Friends of Strays, we’re shocked by what SPCA Tampa Bay just did
We urge the SPCA Tampa Bay leadership to reconsider and refocus on the pets and people who need their... Read more

Published: 10/19/23

A Statement from Friends of Strays

Friends of Strays cannot support SPCA Tampa Bay’s new pilot program, “For All Dogs,” and their partnership with puppy broker Pinnacle Pet and pet retailer Sunshine... Read more

Published: 10/11/23

Friends of Strays closed Saturday, Oct. 7

Friends of Strays will be closed Saturday, Oct. 7, as we prepare for our annual gala, Wags & Whiskers: Totally Pawesome Prom! We will reopen for regular hours Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6... Read more

Published: 10/06/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! intake closed Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 11-12, 2023

Pinellas Cats Alive! intake will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 11, and Thursday, Oct. 12, of this week. Please do not trap cats for intake these days. Intake will resume Sunday, Oct. 15.  Read more

Published: 10/06/23

You're Invited to Our 45th Birthday!

Friends of Strays is celebrating 45 years of saving lives in Pinellas County!
Join supporters, board members, and staff Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Grand Central Brewhouse, to celebrate the... Read more

Published: 09/12/23

Friends of Strays closures for Storm Idalia

Due to the inclement weather expected with Tropical Storm Idalia once it strengthens to a hurricane, we have some closure announcements:

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 29, Pinellas Cats Alive intake... Read more

Published: 08/28/23

Labor Day 2023 Shelter and Program Closures

Friends of Strays will be closed Sunday, Sept. 3, and Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, in observance of Labor Day. The shelter will reopen for regular adoption hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.Pinellas Cats... Read more

Published: 08/25/23

Golden Ticket Drawing: enter to win a trip for two!

Who's ready for a vacation? Enter our Golden Ticket drawing!
Support Friends of Strays while entering to win a trip to one of three gorgeous destinations. Choose between a trip to the Big Apple... Read more

Published: 07/31/23

Clear the Shelters is August 1-31, 2023!

August 1-31 is Clear the Shelters month, a national movement designed to bring attention to the thousands of homeless animals across the country waiting in shelters to be adopted. The Clear... Read more

Published: 07/24/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! intake closures

Pinellas Cats Alive! Intake will be closed next week from Monday, July 10, through Thursday, July 13. Please do not trap cats for intake during these dates. Intake will resume Sunday, July 16.... Read more

Published: 07/06/23

July 4, 2023 Closures

In observance of July 4, Friends of Strays will be closed Tuesday, July 4. Adoptions will reopen Wednesday, July 5. Pinellas Cats Alive intake will be closed for intake Monday, July 3, and... Read more

Published: 06/26/23

Juneteenth 2023 Shelter and Pinellas Cats Alive Closures

In observance of Juneteenth, Friends of Strays will be closed Monday, June 19. The shelter will reopen Tuesday, June 20 for adoptions. Pinellas Cats Alive! intake will close Sunday, June 18... Read more

Published: 06/12/23

Adoption fees waived June 23-25 for all pets

Save the Date for June 23-25! We are participating in PetcoLove’s MEGA ADOPTION EVENT for the state of FLORIDA! The goal of this event is to find homes for 5,000 dogs and cats in one weekend,... Read more

Published: 06/07/23

Friends of Strays to participate in state-wide adoption event June 23-25

Petco Love Launches Florida’s First Statewide Mega Adoption Event With a Goal of Finding 5,000 Homes for Pets in Florida Shelters
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is... Read more

Published: 06/05/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! at capacity Monday, June 5

❌ Pinellas Cats Alive! is at capacity for intake today! ❌

We unexpectedly hit our capacity for community cats for Pinellas Cats Alive! early today (Monday, June 5). We apologize for the... Read more

Published: 06/05/23

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!

June is Adopt A Shelter Cat Month, and we have so many cats just waiting for someone to choose them. From a furry flood of kittens to the lazy cat lounge, our shelter is full of... Read more

Published: 05/30/23

Memorial Day 2023 Shelter and Pinellas Cats Alive closures

In observance of Memorial Day, Friends of Strays will be closed Monday, May 29. The shelter will reopen Tuesday, May 30 for adoptions. Pinellas Cats Alive! intake will close Sunday, May 28 and... Read more

Published: 05/19/23

Friends of Strays welcomes new MEOW Now team members

Exciting news: our MEOW Now program has two new full-time TNVR advocates!
Friends of Strays now has a MEOW Now Manager and a MEOW Now Program Coordinator! We'd like to wish a warm welcome to... Read more

Published: 05/12/23

Shelter closed May 12-14, reopens May 15

Due to a major utility repair, the shelter must close to the public Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14. The shelter will not be open for adoptions and we will not be able to accept donations... Read more

Published: 05/11/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! closed for intake Thursday, May 11- Sunday, May 14, 2023

Attention cat trappers!
Pinellas Cats Alive! intake is closed Thursday, May 11, and Sunday, May 14, due to a major utility repair going on at the shelter. Please do not trap any cats for those... Read more

Published: 05/09/23

💙💚 National Pet Week Adoption Special 💙💚

Monday, May 8 - Thursday, May 11, 2023
This week is National Pet Week! To celebrate the joy that pet ownership can bring to our lives, we're waiving adoption fees on our... Read more

Published: 05/07/23

Eras Tour Adoption Special - April 13-16, 2023

Do you need a reason to stop those tears from ricocheting after not getting into TSwift's Tampa Show? Or are you one of the lucky ones who was able to score a ticket and need someone who will... Read more

Published: 04/10/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! closed for intake Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Hey cat trappers! 
Pinellas Cats Alive is closed for intake Wednesday, April 12. Please do not trap any cats for intake that day.
Intakes will resume Thursday, April 13.
Want to learn more... Read more

Published: 04/10/23

Pinellas Cats Alive! closed for intake Thursday, March 30, 2023

Hey cat trappers! Pinellas Cats Alive will be closed for intake Thursday, March 30, 2023. Please plan accordingly to not trap any cats for our return to field program on this day.

Intake... Read more

Published: 03/23/23

Friends of Strays becomes one of first shelters in Pinellas County to open adoptions 7 days a week!

Friends of Strays is excited to announce that we are one of the first shelters in Pinellas County to offer adoptions 7 days a week! 
Many shelters across the nation have been experiencing an... Read more

Published: 02/27/23

Friends of Strays opens for adoptions seven days a week!

Friends of Strays is on a mission to find homes for pets in need. To accomplish this mission, we are opening for adoptions 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.!Expanded hours will give potential... Read more

Published: 02/24/23

Shelter closures for President's Day 2023

Friends of Strays will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in recognition of President's Day. Please do not plan to come to the shelter or drop off donations that day. We will reopen Tuesday,... Read more

Published: 02/17/23

Looking for love? Try Speed Petting Feb. 11-18, 2023!

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Swiping right over and over without a single connection?
We can help!Come to the shelter during Adoption Center hours Feb. 11-18, 2023, and... Read more

Published: 02/07/23

Friends of Strays launches The Puppy Project

Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is proud to announce the launch of a new program aimed at reducing the number of unwanted dogs who end up in shelters. 
The Puppy Project is a community... Read more

Published: 02/01/23

Friends of Strays expands Adoption Center hours

We have an exciting update! We are expanding our Adoption Center hours!
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, we will be open for adoptions from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The expanded... Read more

Published: 01/31/23

Reminder: February 2023 intake closures for Pinellas Cats Alive!

Intake for Pinellas Cats Alive! return to field program will be closed the following days in February:
Sunday, Feb. 5Monday, Feb. 6Intake resumes: Tuesday, Feb. 7

President's Day:Sunday, Feb.... Read more

Published: 01/20/23