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Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is St. Petersburg’s oldest no kill animal shelter. Founded in 1978, our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with people who will love them. With thousands of cats and dogs entering our shelter every year, Friends of Strays’ staff and volunteers provide the utmost love and care for every animal that comes through our doors.
Through our outreach, advocacy, and services we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all. In addition to pet adoption, we seek to create a better world for pets and people by focusing on life saving programs promoting pet retention, community empowerment, and humane pet ownership education.
Friends of Strays receives no government funding, and our lifesaving success is only possible by the support of friends like you. Please consider an individual, business or planned giving gift to provide compassionate care to pets and the people who love them. We realize that our efforts on behalf of the animals would not be possible without you by our side.
You help us make a difference in their lives.
The Latest

Memorial Day 2025 Closures
May 19, 2025
Friends of Strays will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.Intake for MEOW Now Self-Trapping will be closed Sunday, May 25, and Monday, May 26. Intake will resume Tuesday, May 27.

Pixie: A Puppy with a Heart Full of Love!
Apr 17, 2025
We have a very special girl to introduce: Pixie, a special girl with a heart full of love! This 3-month-old made her debut this morning on Tampa Bay's Morning Blend where she charmed everyone she...

Saving Lena and her leg!
Mar 5, 2025
So many people help save lives every day. This sweet girl, Lena, came to us from another shelter where she was at risk for euthanasia due to a broken leg. We’re not sure how the leg was...
Stray Thoughts

Kitten Season 2025 is heating up for the summer
May 20, 2025
Kitten season is heating up and here to stay for the summer!As of Tuesday, May 20, we have more than 120 kittens in our care, and we're receiving daily calls, messages, emails, and public walk-ins...
The dangers of heartworm disease: how cat and dog owners can keep their pets safe
Apr 3, 2025
With spring heating things up, it’s a good time for a reminder: heartworm disease is a threat to your cat or dog all year round. Heartworms are a parasite that infect animals after being...