I found Yogi when I wasn’t even looking. A year ago, I had a huge place in my heart for senior animals. And, though I love pit bulls, I never had one on my radar. I was coming home from out of state in the summer of 2024, when I discovered a Newsweek article for Yogi. I knew I would be getting this dog. Yogi reached a lot of hearts around the US. I was told that I needed to do four to five visits to see if Yogi would be a good fit. I showed up every day, from Tuesday to Saturday. I met three animal care members across that week in one of the PBHSN yards with him. Yogi was listening to commands from me by my third visit. He stole my heart. I’m being moved to tears as I write this. We ran into a lot of hurdles along the way, but I cannot imagine my life without my sweet boy. Yogi is the epitome of a sour patch kid, but in the best way possible. Yogi also brought people into my life that I truly cannot imagine what it would have been like this past year without their endless support and friendships. Thank you Patty Baker Humane Society Naples for giving me the opportunity to give Yogi his best life.

My husband passed away in January 2025. The house was way too quiet with his passing and no pets left. I went to Patty Baker Humane Society Naples in February and asked about their senior cats. That is where I found a beautiful male tuxedo cat then named Figaro. He is a senior (8 years) and so am I. His name is now Oreo and I really don’t know who saved who. He is a perfect gentleman and travels well since I am a snowbird and fly back North in the Spring. I strongly encourage seniors to adopt seniors. It is a win win for both!

This is a picture of Nyx the very first time he chose to sit next to me, or anyone at the shelter. When he first came to us, he and I were both new to the shelter. I had only been working here a few weeks. He was so scared of everything and everyone. Nyx wouldn’t let anyone get close to him but T asked me to spend time with him if I could to see if it would help him. For some reason that I’ll never understand, Nyx warmed up to me. I was crying as I took this picture – to see a little being decide that I could be trusted, that meant so much to me. Nyx has since been adopted and I’m so happy for him. Since then, I’ve bonded with many shy/fearful animals here. These moments make me feel like I can contribute to improving their lives, even if I don’t really know how or why it’s working. The world rarely makes sense, and a lot of times in a way that makes it hard to stay positive – but this is one of those things that doesn’t seem to have a reason I can point to, but it’s just lovely. I’m very grateful to our residents for letting me be a part of that.

This is Riggs. Our very first PBHSN alumni who we adopted in 2008. I remember walking what is now the back cat hallway, when there were concrete kennels with chain link fence. Riggs was sitting quietly in the back and walked to the fence when we stopped to look at him. He didn’t make a noise and just sort of melted down the fencing and laid down, looking at us. He went home with us the next day. He lived to be 14 years old, and I don’t have the words to express how much of an impact he had on our family. He was there for everything. He was my husband’s soul-dog, my children’s first exposure to what unconditional love from an animal felt like, a quiet, protective, and constant presence in our home. He went on all the adventures – road trips, boat rides, beach walks, golfcart rides; he experienced all of our firsts – our wedding, the birth of both my children. He never faltered in his love for us and we will never, ever forget him.

 Hi Everyone! I adopted a rescue from Puerto Rico 4 years ago; 85% of Lab mix, my best friend. He is in Wisconsin now and loves the unpredictable weather much more than I, but what a wonderful addition he has been. Thank you so much.

My husband was feeling a little down due to some family issues when I brought one-year-old Dexter home (“Persnickety” at PBHSN) . He was a calm cat, but very smart, at the shelter. It took Dexter about a half hour to get used to our home. I woke up during the night the first week to find Dexter sleeping in between my husband and myself and he had his paw on my husband’s back as if to comfort him. He definitely brightened up my husband’s life from then on out. He’s twelve now and we love him.

After losing two of our senior dogs in 2023, we decided to start fostering again. We typically only fostered bully breeds, but there was an urgent foster request for Stella & Johnny, so we took Stella in (Johnny went to a different foster home). Stella was a timid, frightened, tiny ball of nerves. It took her some time to warm up to us and learn that we weren’t going to hurt her. Despite still being shy, her real personality started to come through and she was full of spunk and sweetness. After a couple months, we decided to adopt her and renamed her Mila. She is now a pal to our remaining senior bully. We love Mila very much!

Volunteering at PBHSN Animal Shelter changed my life in a way I never expected. One morning, I signed up to help and was paired with a sweet dog named Maisy for a program called Rescue Recess. We spent the day exploring—walking through Baker Park, driving around town, and even stopping by Starbucks for a well-deserved pup cup. By the time I brought her back to the shelter, my heart ached. It broke me to think that such a joyful, loving dog didn’t have a forever home. That evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about her—her energy, her smile, the way she made the day feel brighter. The next morning, as soon as PBHSN opened, I called them and said, “I’m coming to adopt Maisy.” When I walked into the shelter and she saw me, she bolted toward me, tail wagging, leaping into my arms. I had never seen a dog so full of pure, unfiltered joy. It was like she knew.

Now, Maisy and I go to sleep and wake up next to each other every day. Her presence fills my life with so much love and gratitude. I didn’t just adopt a dog—I found my best friend.

When Hurricane Ian hit, it was chaos—both for people and for the animals that suddenly found themselves without homes or safety. I was volunteering at Humane Society Naples’ Patty Baker Adoption Center, helping process dozens of dogs and cats to get them on emergency flights to major cities where rescue partners were waiting. It was emotionally overwhelming but deeply meaningful work. One of these dogs was Gary, who had the gentlest eyes and an even gentler spirit. He was my first foster fail, and I’ve never looked back.

That experience changed my life in more ways than one. It not only brought me Gary, who is now the beloved big brother to our baby boy, but it also led me to my amazing job as a veterinarian at that very same shelter. What started as a volunteer role during a disaster became the beginning of a calling I hadn’t fully realized until then.

Gary still reminds me every day of the resilience, grace, and love that animals bring into our lives. He’s the best decision I never meant to make—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I adopted Stew from PBHSN in January 2020—just before the world shut down. I never considered myself a cat person before, but the moment I met him, everything changed. He’s a Manx cat with no tail (which I find absolutely adorable), and he instantly became my rock through the pandemic and beyond.

During lockdown, Stew was my constant source of comfort. He always knew when I was having a bad day and would curl up beside me, offer snuggles, or climb to a high shelf just to keep me company. His love, trust, and social personality completely changed my perspective on cats!

He adores affection and lives for his wet food and treats! Because of him, I’ve adopted two more cats and a dog from shelters across Southwest Florida. Stew didn’t just help me through a tough time—he ignited a passion for rescue and changed my life for the better.

Ferdi, my Rescue Recess fail, was adopted in August 2019. He chose me, and that marked the beginning of a great adventure for both of us. Since then, Ferdi has embarked on journeys across over 25 states, traveling on everything from ferries, planes, yachts, barges, trollies, boats, and trains. He’s even swum in the Bahamas, paddle-boarded in the Florida Keys, sledded in the West, and hiked numerous national parks. Notably, he has been to the summits of Acadia, Mt Hood, Mt Washington, Blue Ridge Mountain, Mt Mitchell & been on all through Cape Cod National Seashore.

Every summer, we embark on extended trips exploring new coastal regions. Last summer’s road trip began in the Outer Banks, followed by Montauk, Cape Cod, Newport, and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. Ferdi has a magical way of making people smile and has profoundly impacted my life in ways that I will always be grateful.

My sweet boy Chobani passed two weeks before I visited the shelter. Around the same time, I found out my mom’s breast cancer had returned. I was overwhelmed—checked out, really. I didn’t feel ready to replace him, but I kept visiting shelters, mostly out of grief. My little old lady cat seemed lost without him too. He was my first pet on my own, just a kitten I found outside last September. He was scared, but we slowly bonded—I’d share my takeout, and soon he was making biscuits on me and running to greet me. When a hurricane came, I brought him inside, and he never left. I was never a cat person until him. Suddenly I was obsessed with being the best cat mom—researching food, gear, even carriers. My family teased me about how spoiled he was. The vet warned me he might not live long, so I made sure his short life was the best it could be. When he passed, the house felt silent without his chaotic toddler energy.

The night before I visited the shelter, I saw a new face listed, a tiny calico kitten named Ava who looked like a baby version of my current calico, a sweet old girl I took in last December. I was at the shelter when they opened, excited to meet her. To my surprise, Ava was the only kitten who didn’t engage, she growled at the others and ignored everyone. But I found her feistiness endearing. She reminded me of Chobani, who didn’t trust right away either. I’d earned his trust, and I was willing to do the same with her. Within minutes, I told them I wanted to adopt her. It felt impulsive, but somehow right. And once we got home, her whole demeanor changed. She purred, curled up in my lap, and fell asleep. I think she’s like me, easily overwhelmed. Now my old girl has a tiny shadow she’s still adjusting to, and my heart finally feels like it’s healing a bit after losing my boy.

Ava turned into being named Musubi. She loves to be carried, she’s a super picky eater but loves strawberry yogurt cat treats, loves to fall asleep tucked inside a blanket, she squeaks instead of meows, she’s full of energy and is super playful. Each day she brings me some sort of peace from my loss and I’m able to continue to love on. She gets the same spoiled treatment and loves every bit of it. I am so grateful the way she lifted me out of my dark place just being herself. I never would have had this without PBHSN and I am forever thankful.