Frequently Asked Questions
All lost and/or found pets must be brought to the county shelter, Domestic Animal Services (DAS). Collier County DAS is located at 7610 Davis Blvd in Naples. More questions? Please call (239) 252-7387.
Read all about it on our Adoption Process page.
Animals in our care are available for adoption at two locations in Naples:
- Main Shelter – 370 Airport Pulling Rd. N.
- von Arx Adoption Center – 2400-7 Immokalee Rd.
We also bring available animals to community events. To find out when we’ll be in a neighborhood near you, see our events calendar.
No. Due to the sheer intake volume and number of pets that come through our doors on an annual basis, there is no real ability for us to keep or maintain a waiting list like this. That said, you can follow us on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram) and check out our Adoption Pages for real time updates on the pets that are currently in our program:
Yes, our veterinary clinic located at the main shelter is full-service and open to the public as well as caring for our shelter pets. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 am – 5 pm by appointment. For more information, please click here.
At this time, The Yawney Family Veterinary Clinic is not accepting new patients – with the exception of recently adopted animals from PBHSN shelters. Our plan is to reopen the clinic to new patients sometime in 2026. Please visit colliercountyvs.com to find alternative veterinary services in Collier County.
The label “No-kill” is defined as a shelter with at least a 90% save rate, meaning reasonable expectations for a shelter should include up to at least 10% euthanasia rate for medical or behavioral concerns (fix this a touch using our previous way we do this clause). PBHSN has historically maintained a 95% or better save rate, certainly fitting the definition. However, PBHSN does not refer to itself as a “no-kill” shelter because the term doesn’t reflect the complexities of sheltering, and can ignore the tough realities that open-admission shelters face when caring for thousands of pets annually. Additionally, the phrase “no kill” is easily and frequently confused with “never euthanize” which is not a realistic expectation for any shelter. While we do, at times, make the incredibly difficult decision to humanely euthanize, it is never taken lightly or done quickly. These decisions are made only when an animal is suffering due to severe illness, injury, or dangerous behavior that compromises their safety or the safety of others. We do not euthanize for space, nor do we put time limits on how long pets stay with us.
We are committed to maintaining a 90% or greater save rate and will continue to fit within the definition of “no-kill,” but we will not trade quality of life for the animals in our care to qualify for a label. Warehousing is not rescue. An animal deserves not just to be alive, but to be well.
Instead of labels, we believe in transparency. We think the public is best served by looking at a shelter’s intake policies, care practices, and overall commitment to animal welfare. At PBHSN, we strive to provide the same level of medical and emotional care that any loving pet owner would want for their animal. While we know a 95% save rate may not be possible every single year, we will always aim for it with compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to each animal who comes through our doors.
Intake Policies:
PBHSN is a private, nonprofit shelter, which means we are not a municipal animal control facility. We accept animals surrendered by their owners and from partner shelters and rescue organizations. Learn more here. We do not accept strays; lost and found animals should be reported to Collier County Domestic Animal Services at 239-252-7387.
Owner surrenders are by appointment only. Because we do not euthanize for space, intake availability depends on current capacity. Before scheduling, we encourage pet owners to explore alternatives: our Denny Plesea Pet Food Pantry can help with food costs, our training classes address behavior challenges, and our community resource hub connects families with pet-friendly housing, low-cost veterinary care, and other support. We also offer Home to Home, a free rehoming service that helps pets find new families without ever entering the shelter.
Care Practices: Once an animal is surrendered, they undergo a thorough intake process:
Medical: Every animal receives a complete veterinary examination, age-appropriate vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, and treatment for any existing conditions including dental procedures, bloodwork, x-rays, or surgery as needed. Medical care is provided by the Yawney Family Veterinary Clinic, our full-service on-site clinic staffed by licensed veterinarians and technicians.
Behavioral: Animals are evaluated by our behavior team to understand their temperament, needs, and any training required. Dogs may work with our canine behavior specialists and participate in training programs. We provide daily enrichment including exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation to support emotional wellbeing during their stay.
Ongoing monitoring: Throughout their time with us, animals receive continued medical and behavioral monitoring. As needs arise, they may receive additional treatment or work with our behavior team on specific challenges.
Adoption preparation: When an animal is ready for adoption, their profile includes detailed information about their personality, medical history, and any special needs to help match them with the right family. Every adopted pet goes home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
We partner with local agencies and neighboring shelters to extend our reach and ensure adoptable pets throughout Southwest Florida have a chance at placement. For animals who need specialized care beyond our capacity, we work with rescue partners who can provide that support.
We believe every healthy and safe animal deserves a chance at a loving home. Animals in our care receive regular, consistent medical and behavioral evaluations so we can understand their needs and work toward the best possible outcome for each individual.
Our policy since the organization’s creation more than sixty years ago is to only make the difficult decision to humanely euthanize when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition, severe mental decline, or presents a serious safety risk that cannot be managed. These decisions are never made lightly or done quickly. They are made with care, consistency, and professional guidance, always prioritizing compassionate care, quality of life, and community safety.
While PBHSN has always reserved this option, it is the last option after all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. We do not euthanize for space or length of stay. We believe community safety and animal welfare go hand in hand, and responsible sheltering means caring for the animals in our building and for the families and communities they’ll join.
We focus on dogs and cats. From time to time, we also have small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters available for adoption. We’re unable to accept livestock, reptiles, or birds at this time. For assistance with these animals, please contact Collier County Domestic Animal Services at (239) 252-7387.
Read all about how to get involved on our volunteer page.
No, Patty Baker Humane Society Naples is an independent nonprofit serving Collier County. The money donated here stays in our area to help local animals in need. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) does not oversee or fund local animal shelters or humane societies and it is not an umbrella organization for all humane societies. Each humane society is a separate, independent organization.
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples (PBHSN) is a nonprofit animal shelter, adoption center, and full-service veterinary clinic founded over 60 years ago by concerned Collier County citizens. As a private organization receiving no government funding, we’re supported entirely by donations, grants, and service fees. Our mission is to find homes for all adoptable dogs and cats while providing medical care and behavioral support to give every animal their best chance at a forever home.
The two agencies work cooperatively to save the life of every adoptable animal in Collier County but remain independent.
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving orphaned pets and finding loving homes for them. We promote responsible pet ownership and raise awareness about the rights and needs of animals, and stress the importance of spay and neuter for controlling pet overpopulation. PBHSN only accepts animals that are surrendered by their owner or from other shelters.
Domestic Animal Services (DAS) is the county agency that enforces animal control laws and anti-cruelty ordinances, picks up stray animals, rescues animals in distress and responds to animal-related emergencies. DAS runs a shelter for lost, abandoned, surrendered and rescued animals. DAS takes in not only dogs and cats, but also other domestic and some wild animals. DAS is funded by your local county tax dollars. Read more information about DAS here.
Many of the animals at Patty Baker Humane Society Naples are brought in by their owners, some are found animals and some come to us from other shelters through our transfer program. Our first mission is to rescue animals in Collier County and the greater Southwest Florida area. Because of our large feline population, almost all of our cats come from Collier County. For dogs we regularly visit shelters in Southwest Florida, to take in animals and help ease the overcrowded conditions that they face. We also bring in dogs from areas of the United States with high euthanasia rates.
Once an animal is surrendered to Patty Baker Humane Society Naples, he or she undergoes a thorough medical examination before becoming available for adoption. This process can take several days and includes spaying or neutering, vaccinating, microchipping, examination for and treatment of medical conditions, dental procedures, x-rays, blood tests and even surgery when necessary.
Throughout the animal’s stay with us, we continue to monitor the animal medically and behaviorally. As needs arise, the animal may receive additional medical treatment or work with our dog behaviorist through basic or more advanced training needs.
If you are a Collier County resident, contact Collier County Domestic Animal Services at 239-252-7387.
Please contact the Conservancy of Southwest Florida at 239-262-2273 for information on injured wildlife.
Age recommendations are assigned to certain dogs to help protect the safety of both the dog and the family that may adopt them. Dogs do not communicate in the same ways as humans do – they communicate through very subtle body language. While an adult may realize that a dog’s rigid posture may mean “I don’t want to share my toy with you,” a young child may not understand this cue. Additionally, a dog with a high energy level could inadvertently knock over a young child during play.
Our Care Team and Dog Behaviorist have closely examined the personalities of every dog, and any age recommendations assigned are meant as a guideline to help adopters determine which pet will best match the needs of their household.
