About Patty Baker Humane Society Naples

Our Mission

Sheltering animals in times of need, locating life-long homes, and advocating for responsible pet ownership.

At the heart of our work is the belief that pets belong with their families, not in shelters. The bond between people and pets makes life better for both. As Collier County’s only private animal shelter, we work to make that possible through adoption services accessible to all, affordable veterinary care, community resources, and programs that support pet owners across every corner of our community.

As an entirely gift-based 501c3 nonprofit organization, our lifesaving work is made possible by the generous support of donors who stand up for homeless, at-risk, and adoptable pets in our community.

Our History

On September 10, 1960, Hurricane Donna tore through Naples, destroying homes and leaving families (and their pets) in crisis. In the aftermath, a local resident named Lori Stuber found a tiny kitten on her doorstep. At the time, Collier County had no organization to care for stray, injured, or abandoned animals. Stuber and a group of concerned citizens decided that had to change. Working with City Manager Fred Lowermilk and architect Walter Keller (who donated the plans), they pooled their resources and founded the Humane Society of Naples in 1960, with Lois House serving as the first president followed by Lori Keller in 1962 who would serve as president for the next 10 years.

In those early years, volunteers kept animals in their own homes and garages. But community support grew quickly. In March 1963, the first shelter opened and filled up almost immediately. Expansions followed in 1965, 1995, and culminated in the 2010 grand opening of our current main campus adoption facility and community clinic on Airport-Pulling Road.

Since then, we’ve found loving homes for more than 110,000 animals. In March 2025, a transformational gift from Patty and Jay Baker (the largest in our organization’s history) allowed us to become Patty Baker Humane Society Naples. Their extraordinary generosity ensures our continued work in animal rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, and adoption services for generations to come.

Today, as Collier County’s only private animal shelter, PBHSN serves thousands of animals each year through our adoption programs, the Yawney Family Veterinary Clinic, the Patty & Jay Baker Mobile Veterinary Clinic, training services, crisis boarding, foster network, and the Denny Plesea Pet Food Pantry. We partner with local agencies and neighboring shelters to ensure every adoptable pet has a chance at the life they deserve.

Sixty-five years after that kitten showed up on Lori Stuber’s doorstep, we’re still here. Still answering the call. Still working every day to connect homeless and at-risk pets with the loving families they deserve.

What We Do

Every year, PBHSN serves thousands of animals and families across Naples, Collier County, and all of Southwest Florida.

Adoption & Sheltering: We provide safe, temporary shelter for homeless animals and work to match them with loving families through our adoption program and events.

Veterinary Care: The Yawney Family Veterinary Clinic offers affordable wellness care, spay/neuter services, and medical treatment for owned pets. The Patty & Jay Baker Mobile Veterinary Clinic brings services directly into underserved areas of our community.

Community Support: Through programs like the Denny Plesea Pet Food Pantry, crisis boarding, our community resource hub, and training classes, we help keep pets in homes with the families where they belong.

Education & Outreach: We partner with schools, businesses, and community organizations to promote responsible pet ownership and strengthen the bond between people and pets.

How We Work

We exist to better the lives of companion animals and the families who love them. That mission shapes every decision we make, from how we care for animals to how we serve our community. These commitments guide our work:

  1. We ensure that homeless and at-risk pets have a safe place to receive shelter and care. We serve as a safety net for animals in need throughout our community, partnering with local agencies and neighboring shelters to extend our reach.
  2. We believe pets belong at home, with their families. Research consistently shows that most pet surrenders stem from temporary crises like housing, finances, or access to care. We work with pet owners to connect them with resources that can help them keep their pets, because the best outcome is often keeping a family together.
  3. We treat a shelter as a temporary stop, not a final destination. Our goal is to move animals into loving homes as quickly and safely as possible, because that’s where they thrive.
  4. We assess each animal as an individual. From the moment an animal enters our care, they receive regular, consistent medical and behavioral evaluations based on industry-accepted best practices, so we can understand their needs and work toward the best possible outcome.
  5. We address both physical and emotional wellbeing. Animals deserve not just to be alive, but to be well. We provide enrichment, veterinary care, and behavioral support to keep animals healthy in body and mind during their time with us.
  6. We alleviate suffering and make thoughtful end-of-life decisions. When an animal is suffering from a terminal condition, severe mental decline, or presents a serious safety risk, humane euthanasia may be the most compassionate outcome. While PBHSN has always reserved this option, it is the last option after all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. PBHSN does not euthanize for space or length of stay.
  7. We believe community safety and animal welfare go hand in hand. Responsible sheltering means caring for the animals in our building and for the families and communities they’ll join.
  8. We lead with our hearts. That means making thoughtful, responsible decisions that prioritize compassionate care and quality of life for every animal, guided by industry best practices and expertise built over six decades of animal welfare leadership with a commitment to the best possible outcomes.
  9. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Our practices are guided by professionally accepted best practices in shelter medicine and animal behavior, and we welcome open conversation about how we work to provide the best possible care.