Happy Tails

Do you have a pet you adopted from HSSC? Do you want to tell the world how wonderful your pet is? Then share your Happy Tail with us! Please tell us how you’re living happily ever after—and be sure to include a photo or two, plus your pet's shelter name and current name. Your pet’s story may be featured online or in our next newsletter. Email [email protected] to submit!

Prada & Mila (formerly Robin)

Prada was adopted in June of 2022, and Mila joined the family in May of 2023.

August 2024 Update: "They are the best gift I could ask for and have become such loyal companions. They are definitely a bonded pair now and love going on adventures together. Thank you for helping me find my forever best friends!"

-Brianna

Suge (formerly Sawyer)

Suge was adopted in June of 2024.

July 2024 Update: "Suge is doing great!"

-Raul

Charlie (formerly Gomez)

Charlie was adopted in December of 2005.

June 2024 Update: "My husband and I lived in Sarasota some years ago. In December of 2005, we adopted a 4-month-old kitty from the Humane Society of Sarasota County. His name at the time was Gomez, but we changed it to Charles Frederick, and he's gone by "Charlie" ever since. We live in Hagerstown, Maryland now, and Charlie is currenty 18 years old. He'll be 19 in August. He is still our beautiful, affectionate, spoiled boy who basically does whatever he wants. He is in great health for his age and gets the best of care. I thought you'd like to know that the gift of Charlie you gave us back in 2005 is still going strong, and we are so grateful. Thank you!"

-Kelly

Paulie (formerly Butterball)

Paulie was adopted in July of 2023.

July 2024 Update: "A year ago, I went into the Humane Society in Sarasota to look at the cute kittens. I had zero plans in adopting a dog, but here I am. My friend and I went over to the dog section of the building, and I saw Paulie. I read his story and immediately fell in love with him. He was on medical hold at that time. He was found as a stray, and he was in bad shape. His fur was severely matted, and he had baby heartworms. On top of that, he was born with knee and back deformities. But he had high spirits and a loving nature. He wasn't the cutest dog in the shelter, but he is the most adorable and handsome doggie ever. He is a momma's boy, so he's always by my side. I feel like he was made for me."

-Nolene

Hank (formerly Chico)

Hank was adopted in May of 2024.

July 2024 Update: "He is the absolute sweetest, goofiest, and gentlest dog ever! He loves ringing the bell and growling to let us know he wants to go for walks around the neighborhood, only 15 times a day! He is always up for rides and a good cuddle. He likes playing with his toys and even sometimes sneakers and pillows. He sleeps most of the time until he has had enough and wants to go for rides and walks. Thank you so much Humane Society of Sarasota! You have so many wonderful dogs there, and you take such good care of all the loves. We are excited to find Hank a sibling when the time is right! We are so grateful for everyone who helped us find our furever fur baby. We love him so much!"

-Stephanie, Dennis & Lillianne

Nugget (formerly Sabine)

Nugget was adopted in June of 2022.

June 2024 Update: "She’s been an absolute joy! Her feisty and quirky personality has come out over time. She enjoys going for short walks and playing with her two German Shepherd siblings, but she also has an unusual hobby (for a dog): she loves plants! She’s a staff favorite at the local nurseries, and she carefully inspects my houseplants every day. She’s super loving, and I could not have asked for a better companion. Thank you so much for rescuing her!!"
-Cynthia

Lucky

Lucky was adopted in December of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "I got Lucky in December, and in the 6 months that I’ve had him, he has done a complete 180. He went from being scared of literally everything & not wanting to do too much, to strutting around with his chest out & ready for anything that comes his way! Whether it’s a trip to the beach, snuggles in bed, or even just a quick car ride to the store for snacks & treats, we are truly attached at the hip. I’m looking forward to many more years & memories with my BEST FRIEND!"
-Drew

Daisy (formerly Carlissa)

Daisy was adopted in July of 2021.

May 2024 Update: "Daisy found her forever home after being rescued by The Humane Society in Sarasota, Florida. Through patient training and unconditional love, Daisy transformed into a loyal companion and therapy dog, bringing joy to whoever she encounters. Her story inspired many to see the potential in rescue dogs, proving that with dedication and kindness, every pup deserves a second chance at a fulfilling life. Daisy's journey from shelter to service became a beacon of hope, showcasing the transformative power of love and perseverance. Follow her story on Instagram at @daisy.theblackstaffy!"
-Albert

Lightning (formerly Linus)

Lightning was adopted in December of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "Lightning has been loving his new home and going on trips to the dog park! He loves to cuddle with mom and dad and tries to play with the cat in the house. He’s such a fun and loving little guy, and we are so lucky to have gotten a great one!"
-Lauren

Roxie

Roxie was adopted in June of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "We wanted to give an update almost a year later! She has turned out to be a great dog. We wanted you guys to know she’s doing well!"
-Ashley

Mario (formerly FJÄDRAR)

Mario was adopted in February of 2024.

May 2024 Update: "Mario is doing amazing! He loves his new home, and his favorite person in the family is his big brother, Liam! He loves to play and to cuddle. We are so happy and blessed to have him as our dog. He is now about 5 months old and is thriving!"
-Hailey

George (formerly Yin)

George was adopted in November of 2023.

April 2024 Update: "George wasn’t too sure about being a pet when we brought him home. He was recovering from heartworms, missing his brother and had clearly not spent much time inside a home before. It didn’t take him long to realize that couches are way more comfortable than cots and that treats are awesome rewards! We are so thankful to have such an amazing dude in our life! He’s quite the celebrity on our block! He brings so much joy to us and everyone he meets!!!"
-Kristen

Scooter (formerly Bull Frog) & Nellie (formerly Tipsy)

Scooter and Nellie were adopted together in March of 2024.

24 HOUR UPDATE: "We thought you would like to know how Scooter and Nellie are settling in their new home with their new brother, Dash (chihuahua). Scooter truly is a very confident kitty. His middle name is Stinker. Nellie is a bit on the shy side, but we believe in patience and love. A huge THANK YOU to you guys for not giving up on these wonderful and beautiful souls!"

ONE WEEK UPDATE: "We are so extremely proud of Dash. He has been such an extraordinary big brother! Scooter has settled in so fast, like he has always been with us! We got him foam stairs, so he can get up all by himself on the couch/our bed. Nellie—middle name, Princess—she is walking around, being playful, play fighting with her brother and showing him his boundaries. After a week in her new home, she is everything but shy! Both love their wet food as much as they love their lickable treats. Our home looks like a playground full of toys, but we wouldn't want it any other way! Our hearts are full!" -Dana & Chad

Mags

Mags was adopted in April of 2020.

"While volunteering at HSSC, I took two dogs over to be groomed. When I brought them back to the shelter—Mags looked so cute and scrawny, and I decided to foster her at my home. Well needless to say, she decided to stay forever. Here is a photo I took of her recently. She is my little girl." -Ron

Belle

"We first met Belle at a Humane Society fundraiser at Red Barn bar 2 weeks ago. Immediately fell in love! We finally were able to adopt her this past week and have had a blast with Belle in our home. She’s immediately made herself at home, already sleeping in our bed, wagging that tail, and loving on everyone she meets. We couldn’t be happier!" - Melinda

Bella

"Bella was love at first sight! She is the sweetest dog ever, very affectionate and cuddly. She loves to fetch, tug of war or just lay down and chew on her favorite chewy toys. Shes been perfect addition to our family and we love her very much! Thanks HSSC for saving our Bella and all of the other animals and giving them chance for better life!" - Kvetka

Onyx

Mustang (now Onyx) has been a great addition to our family! He enjoys his cuddles and is a bug couch potato. He loves his squeaky balls, chicken and puppucinnos from Starbucks. We are thrilled to have him and love our daily hugs and smiles he gives us. -Amber

Zeus

"Zeus has been a wonderful addition in our house. We adopted him 3 years ago and he is an absolute joy to have. He loves to go on long walks and play tug of war, but at the end of the night he lays down on your lap for cuddles."
-Jamie

Indie

"She is the most amazing cat. She brings us love and joy. She loves my dad. I love waking up to her every morning especially when I work all day and I come home and look forward to coming home and seeing her."
-Chris

Skip (formerly Champ)

"Skip (formerly Champ) is living his best life these last couple of weeks. My previous dog passed away in December 2023, and I was confident I'd stay away from pet ownership for a while. I came across Skip (Champ) on the website on Friday, February 9th, and instantly knew he was meant to be my new 4-legged pal. Meeting him at HSSC was anti-climactic - he wasn't all that interested in me, and I actually loved his laid-back disposition. Getting him home, he has become a totally different pup. He gets a few miles of walks during the day, has a passion for tennis balls, and gets really excited when he spots rabbits, birds, and lizards. I get lots of doggie smiles these days, and my biggest hope is that I make him half as happy as he makes me." - Fairth

Alfredo

"He is such a a love. Fit right into the family. Thank you for our new fur baby." - Debbie

Raven (formerly RayRay)

"My sweet Raven (formerly RayRay) filled a hole in my heart and loneliness after losing my precious boy cat Frankfurter. She is the silliest of cats and part dog because she loves to fetch her favorite mouse toy. Thank you to HSSC for this precious gift of a girl. She is my one in a million kind of special."

Pudge

"We had been looking for a friend for our pug after our other dog passed away. We were so lucky to get to meet Pudge! He is the perfect addition to our family. We love him so much already and are so grateful for the humane society!"

Brady

"It is with much sadness that Richard and I share with you the Rainbow Bridge crossing of our beloved Brady Cod is Harrison on May 20, 2021. He was two weeks shy of his 13th birthday.

Richard and I adopted Brady from the Human Society of Sarasota on March 6, 2009. He was nine months and four days old. His profile stated that he was relinquished by the previous owner due to "too many animals." Their loss became our precious gain. The HSSC Representative, at the time, was Joy Johnson.

Brady was uniquely one of a kind. So smart, intelligent. Whenever he wanted something, he would give a little bark and wouldn't stop until you acknowledged his request. He loved to go with you in the car. He would sit so straight that at first glance he appeared to be human. He also loved the dog park. There, we would toss him a ball and he would catch it! Of course, he didn't bring it back to you, so you had to go and get it. (lol) He was such a special friend and a wonderful companion. We love him and we miss him.

Your organization has brought joy and happiness to many people and pets, and we are certainly counted among them. Thank you for all that you do and continue to do."

Baxter

"I have never met a sweeter dog in my life until I met sweet chipper, now is Baxter!! He is the best dog & loves nothing more than snuggling throughout the day and night & going for walks at Robinsons! I am so happy I went to the humane society in Sarasota, they have the best staff & they are all so sweet & supportive! Thank you, guys, so much for helping me find my forever friend!"

Edgar

"We adopted Edgar into our family in July. He is a curious and energetic kitten. He does not mind the vacuum, hair dry or any of our many thunderstorms. In fact, one of his favorite places is our back lanai during a storm. He loves playing with the three kids with his many toys including his little house that he frequently wrestles with! We cannot imagine our lives without Edgar in it. We have had him just over a month now and look forward to continuing to watch him grow."

Prince Charming

"We adopted him as Prince Charming, but he became King of the castle in less than 24 hours! He is eight but he’s still very playful, he’s very affectionate and very polite. He would not jump on the couch without asking for permission first! He’s also very curious and funny. He sleeps in the weirdest positions, sometimes with his legs straight up in the air! We are so grateful to have him. We’d like to thank all the wonderful people we met at the adoption center for taking such good care of all the dogs and cats under their care and for making our adoption process such a great experience."

Trixie

"What an excellent companion Trixie has become. Do not let anyone tell you that a "Pit Bull" is mean, she is the most gentle, caring and loving dog anyone could ever hope for. This was first show to me on her first night, when I started sobbing about losing my prior dog, (only 1 month before), when she jumps up on the bed and came to me whimpering and giving me both a nudge and a kiss. An animal’s love cannot get much better than that! It has been obvious that she was previously abused or was hit by a car, for she sometimes she still cowers when going to show her affection, I trust someday she be over that, and the over excited happiness she displays when returning home even after being gone only 30 minutes. A TRUE Heart of Gold!"

Abbie

"Abbie is such a joy in our life, makes us complete and she is so good, as though she has been a part of the family forever. She enjoys the dog bark, gets along with everyone, enjoys walks and laying in the bed, she is our baby."

Sadie

"I adopted Sadie, previously known as Molly on May 1, 2018. She was very independent and took some time to really get comfortable. Now she loves blankets, looking out the window, and chasing her little (yet older) brother around the yard. She is the sweetest little girl and I’m so glad she chose us. Thank you."

Baxter

"Baxter, formally Stanley, came literally bouncing into our lives after the passing of two of our elderly cats (16- & 18-year-old) leaving Samantha our third "well fed" cat alone. We decided she needed a buddy to play and "workout" with. After a long three-month adjustment, they are the best of friends despite their four-year age difference. Baxter loves to cuddle and will even climb into the cat cave with her that is built for one. A rather rambunctious kitten, he is usually climbing and jumping on things he shouldn't. Baxter LOVES to get in the shower with the water going, so spray bottles for discipline are enjoyed! We and Samantha could not be happier with the adoption of our little buddy."

Cleo

"Cleo has been the best thing to happen to me! She is such a joy to come home to! For me, she is the best of both worlds where she has her hyper moments where all she wants to do is run around and play, and then she will have her sweet cuddle moments as well! But don't forget those diva moments where she won’t eat unless it’s fresh food ha-ha."

Beemer

"After my beloved girl passed the Rainbow bridge, I waited a good long time before I was ready for another dog. When my kids saw Beemer with his tennis ball in his mouth we couldn't resist. We found out he was adopted and returned two previous times. Clearly, it was because he was meant for our family. He is celebrating my birthday."

Tater

"Tater is a real good boy. We love having him as our companion. he loves to go for walks, is good on a leash, and behaves very well. His favorite thing is playing fetch. he will chase a ball and bring it back if we are willing to throw it. he is part of our office environment too. Everyone loves tater and misses him when we work from home."

Wiley

Wiley was adopted in December of 2020.

August 2024 Update: "Just thought we'd send a little three-and-a-half-year update on Wiley! He's gained some brothers and a sister since his adoption, is successfully heartworm free, and got his DNA done. He is actually a husky mix! We thank you guys for introducing our sweet boy to us!"

-Paola

Achilles (formerly Brandon)

Achilles was adopted in May of 2024.

August 2024 Update: "Achilles is a sweet and loving puppy. When we adopted him, he suffered from carpal hyperextension, which made him walk a bit funny. But with a proper diet and exercise, he has pretty much outgrown it. He loves walks and attention and playing with his canine siblings. He also loves to help with chores around the house, like grabbing the broom and trying to do it himself."

-Andy

Cotton Tail

Cotton Tail was adopted in April of 2024.

June 2024 Update: "I wanted to share some photos and let the kennel staff know that he is doing great! He and my other cat quickly became best friends. He loves hanging out on the porch, watching cat TV, and prefers to sleep on my pillow at night. He is truly the sweetest boy. I used to work in a shelter and loved hearing the 'rags to riches' stories. Y'all are doing amazing things by helping to save animals, keep up the good work!"

-Mary

Macchiato (formerly Mama Rose)

Macchiato was adopted in June of 2023.

July 2024 Update: "I adopted Macchiato about a year ago. She had several kittens and all had been adopted already, but she was still so young and so friendly when I met her. Over the past year she has become quite the cuddle bug. She likes to be carried around the house and always cuddles with me on the couch. She is also very mischievous and loves getting into all the things she shouldn't and will eat pretty much anything she can fit in her mouth. She's so sweet and funny, and I love her so much. She recently took a road trip with me 14 hours each way. The whole time, she wanted nothing more than to be on my lap instead of the carrier, but she was a champ. I am so happy to have her in my life, and I love her to pieces."

-Aubrey

Rusty (formerly Big Brownie)

Rusty was adopted in November of 2019.

July 2024 Update: "We adopted Rusty after we saw him at an adoption event. We had just moved into our first home and wanted a friend for our other cat. He was super sweet and friendly, and there were multiple people lining up to adopt him. We made sure to be at the shelter two hours early to make sure he would be ours! Rusty has become best friends with our German Shepherd, Bear, and when he's not antagonizing our other cats (he has more energy to play), he is either cuddling them or checking out our fish tank. He always seems to be ending up somewhere that he shouldn't, like in the filing cabinet, dish washer, or pantry. While we've discovered that he has asthma, he does perfectly well with a steroid medication and is the ultimate snuggle bug. We don't know what we would do without him!"

-Evan

Tabatha

Tabatha was adopted in September of 2008.

June 2024 Update: "I adopted Tabatha from the Humane Society of Sarasota back in 2008 during my first year of medical school when she was a year old. She has traveled with me through all my moves for residency and new jobs and has lived in New Jersey and Texas. She is still just as sweet as the day I met her and is such a big part of my life. She will be 17 years old in August."
-Amy

Bailey

Bailey was adopted in July of 2012.

May 2024 Update: "Bailey has been with us for nearly 12 years. He is currently 18 years old and the sweetest, undemanding boy—the perfect feline companion!"
-Ruth

Boone (formerly Quincy)

Boone was adopted in November of 2021.

May 2024 Update: "Boone has been the best addition to our home. He’s never one to turn down a pup cup or car ride. He’s learned to love cows, turtles and chickens. He loves our nieces and nephew and is the best playmate. He is our very best friend, and we’re blessed to have him in our lives."
-Katelyn

Pepper

Pepper was adopted in March of 2024.

May 2024 Update: "Pepper has come a long way from the scared and scarred dog we adopted. She is getting used to being an inside dog. Pepper is so sweet and gentle. She loves giving (and getting) hugs. She enjoys her field walks on her long leash. We hope to be able to take her to the dog park soon to meet some doggie friends."
-Joel

Lucy (formerly Swifty)

Lucy was adopted in January of 2024.

May 2024 Update: "We have loved getting to know Lucy. She is a huge fan of car rides, and she loves her new little sister. She really does make our family complete."
-Carlee

Starbuck (formerly Lenora) & Odo (formerly Turnover)

Starbuck was adopted in March of 2023, and Odo joined the family in April of 2023.

April 2024 Update: "We couldn't be happier with our babies. After we lost our big guy, Atticus, to cancer—we had a hole in our hearts. We rescued Starbuck, formerly Lenora, and we had a rocky start at first. But it ended up being the best decision ever! We got Odo, formerly Turnover, a month later, and they have been best friends ever since. So happy we rescued from Sarasota Humane Society!"
-Emma

Luna (formerly Poppie) and Nova (formerly Libra)

Luna was adopted in June of 2023, and Nova joined the family in July of 2023.

April 2024 Update: "They both just turned a year old on April 13. We got them a week apart from each other. They instantly bonded and are now inseparable. They are both the biggest cuddle bugs and absolutely love people. They recently got a new sister named Kota, who is an 8-month-old golden doodle, and they love her endlessly. Our girls are so loved. Their favorite activity is cuddling together while looking out our bedroom window and bird watching. Thank you humane society for my perfect little babies!"
-Kaitlyn

Halftale

“I had looked on the website to see what cats were available and as soon as I saw him I knew I wanted him. I almost didn’t get him because we weren’t sure if he would fit but I was lucky and able to take this sweet boy home, He has been a real character since he’s came home. He loves car rides, sitting on counter tops, never leaving our sides, and his toys! Halftale is such an amazing cat I’m so glad we got him!”

- Jazzmyn

Torridon (formerly Cumulus)

"Torridon, now goes by Cumulus, is an absolute treat for our family of 3 plus 3 cats. Her personality is really starting to come out. She adores eating, loves to be brushed, and picked up by our teenager. I’m so glad we were able to add her to our family!" - Gina

Beatrix (formerly Marley)

"We adopted Bea in June 2020! She was 6-9 months old when we met her at HSSC, and it was love at first sight for the whole family. Bea can be a little skittish, but she adores 'her people.' Bea's favorite hobbies include swimming in the pool, playing chase and going on Jeep rides! She's the sweetest girl, gives the best kisses and we couldn't imagine our lives without her love." -Ashley

Beatle

"We adopted Beetle last week. He has become quite the lap cat. He also likes playing with a toy spring that we got him. Our two dogs are still curious about him. Attached is a picture of him and our Black Lab/Golden retriever mix watching a squirrel. I'm glad they share a hobby." -Austin

Smokie

"Smokie is such a love. He stole our hearts in the meet & greet room & went belly up for us immediately! He loves spending his days napping & walking. I can't imagine life without him! And the best news is that Smokie is cancer free at this time! He had cancer when we adopted him." -Heide

Bandit

"Bandit has brought so much love and laughter into our home. Bandit loves his walks and chasing lizards. He follows me wherever I go. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful puppy in our family. Thanks to HSSC. I cannot thank the staff enough."

Twix

"I got this little kitten for my son's birthday. they are so happy and in love!"

Ellie

"Ellie is doing great, thank you!"

Teddy

"Teddy has been a very good boy and is such a little lovebug. He wakes me up every morning with a face full of kisses to tell me it is potty time. We go on walks around the neighborhood every hour and a half or so and discovered he likes to chase the lizards and frogs. We have set up a socially distanced playdate at the dog area in our development and he has so much fun with our neighbor’s puppy Odin! As soon as we left the shelter, we went straight to the pet store and let him pick his own bed, toys, and treats out! He is such a playful guy, and loves playing tug of war with his squeaky bird toy."

Arni

"Arni is living his best life now! He is the most snuggly, affectionate cat I’ve ever met. He just wants to be right up on you. He’s even settled in so nicely with our shih tzu. He couldn’t be happier… can you tell?!"

Sandy

"When we got Sandy, my now husband and I had only been dating for a bit over a year. He spent a lot of time at my house, so I wanted him to come with me to pick out a dog from local pounds. He came from a family that always had purebred dogs, all from breeders. He said he would come with me but asked me "don't you think those dogs are there for a reason?" I came from a family who always got animals from pounds or accidental litters, so I knew better. We brought Sandy home in the fall of 2015. After her first month she adjusted and trained so well my husband called her the best dog he ever had, which was later promoted to the best dog ever. She has been on vacation with us more times than I can count. December 2015 was her first trip; she made the ride to Pennsylvania for my grandmother's funeral, and she was a perfect hotel guest. She has since been to Jekyll Island (3 times), the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pigeon Forge (about 6 times), Whittier NC, Lumberton NC, Young-Harris Georgia, Orlando Fl, and St. Augustine Fl on vacation and stayed many more nights at hotels along the way. My husband is disabled yet can walk her easily on a leash and she has been confused for a service dog MANY times when checking into a hotel. She trained easily and has been a model of good behavior for her younger packmates. She came to us after being picked up as a stray in Miami and transferred to Sarasota where she stayed for some time, a four-year-old dog with a sloppy tummy from her many litters. Her tail was broken at some point while living on the street, but it's still the happiest crooked tail I've ever seen."

Xena

"She is the cutest most loving and cuddly cat I’ve ever had in my life. She is so funny and has the greatest personality. She’s very talkative and she loves to eat."

Espeon

"Espeon (formally Little) has adjusted to home life so well. He was very shy when we met but has warmed up to me so much already. He loves cuddling with mom and going on walk. He even had been so amazing when it comes to training. I am so grateful to the Humane Society for letting me adopt my fur baby."

Luigi

"He has truly changed my life for the better."

Lacey

"It has been a little over a month with sweet Lacey and my girlfriend and I could not love her more! I work from home so there is no shortage of snuggles and walks around this place! Every morning we go out exploring so Lacey can get her sniffs in. It took some time before she figured out how to play fetch but now it is one of her favorite things to do. She also loves car rides, the dog beach, and any outdoor venue where she can be with dad! She tags along with us virtually everywhere we go and has made so many doggy and people friends along the way. I have found a true companion in Lacey, and she found her furever home!"

Mitchell

"We came into the humane society as a surprise for me for my birthday! We saw Mitch on the website and just fell in love right away. When we first met, he was very timid and shy, but we knew from sight it was same at to be. Since we’ve had Mitch, he has come out of his shell and is the best boat dog and snuggle partner we could’ve ever asked for."

Elliot

"We adopted Elliot (left) in May of 2021 while attending the Sarasota Seafood Festival. We passed by the Humane Society’s truck and saw Elliot sitting out front with one of the volunteers. We were immediately drawn to him by his friendly demeanor and adorably long ears. Our older fur baby, Echo (right) made Elliot feel right at home from day 1 and could not be happier to have a little brother. We had no idea what we were missing in our lives until we adopted Elliot but now our world feels complete. Special thank you to the Humane Society for leading this perfect, loving, goofy boy into our lives."

Coconut & Captain

"Coconut and Captain have adapted well to each other and play and run hard. They bring lots of joy and entertainment to the family."

Dexter

"Dexter has brought so much joy to my life. He always greets the day (and me) with such happiness and enthusiasm. We live in the country and he loves exploring. He is careful to stick around and always comes to me when I call him. He's a big lap dog and waits for me to get in bed so he can jump up and lay his head across my legs. When I first adopted Dexter, he had a brother here named Romeo. A few months after Dexter arrived, Romeo died. We miss him terribly but are grateful for everything he taught Dexter about living in the country and being polite in the house. Dexter has learned not to chase horses or cattle. The horses even allow him around them during feeding time. When I was looking for a companion dog (for both Romeo and me) I took Dexter home for a "sleepover." This was very helpful as we were all able to get to know each other without committing right away to adoption, I am so grateful to everyone at HSSC who helped Dexter and me through this process. What a wonderful organization!"

Frankie

"Frankie joined our home on Halloween in 2018 and he’s kept it interesting ever since! He pretty much runs the house, but his favorite thing to do is to sit in the fenced front yard and greet everyone walking along our downtown street. He has no idea how entertaining he is. He’s also very good at opening any package that is delivered in the hopes that it will be his monthly Bark Box delivery. I can’t imagine what life was like pre-Frankie."

Diamond

"His name was Buddy before, but now he has a new and beautiful name like he is and it is Diamond, he brings joy and gives me company, now l does not feel so lonely, thank you Humane Society for this incredible and lovable pup. He loves everyone, ha-ha sometimes l gets a little jealous, but l knows at the end of the day he comes home with me."

Ozzie

"Ozzie is so cute with his sister. they do everything together!"

Memphis (formerly Ceme)

Memphis was adopted in August of 2020.

August 2024 Update: "Memphis was the dog that picked me after the loss of my dog, Rudy. I knew the only thing that would help me and my other dog, Molly, would be to add another baby to the family. After much hunting, I saw Memphis, and it was love at first sight. Four years later, and it's one of the best decisions I've made."

-Heather

Peanut (formerly Woody)

Peanut was adopted in September of 2023.

August 2024 Update: "Peanut celebrated his 16th birthday!"

-Michelle

Max (formerly Sir Cuddly)

Max was adopted in June of 2024.

July 2024 Update: "Max has made my life such a joy. He and my other dog get along great. He is definitely a cuddly guy! He loves to jump in the water, and he loves going for car rides! He gets so excited to hop in the car and go wherever. He is curious about every animal. He likes to watch TV with me, especially if there's another dog! Max was the best addition to my small family! He also likes to sleep under my bed sometimes."

-Eva

Moo Moo (formerly Bows)

Moo Moo was adopted in July of 2014.

June 2024 Update: "She just turned 10 years old! Moo Moo loves doing tricks for her snacks (like "sit pretty" or "twirl"), stroller rides and naps! She has the sweetest personality. We couldn't imagine life without her."

-Kristyn

Emma

Emma was adopted in February of 2012.

June 2024 Update: "Emma has brought so much love into our family. She's an absolute sweetheart who loves to give licks, sit on top of boxes, on the couch, and the screened in patio—and loves cookie time. She has an annoying little sister that she uses her patience with but loves mom and dad! We can't imagine the last 12 years without her!"
-Jessica

BamBam

BamBam was adopted in December of 2023.

June 2024 Update: "BamBam is loving life, and we love him."
-Lori

Pops

Pops was adopted in May of 2024.

One Month Update: "Pops has been a fantastic addition to our family. He fits right in and adjusted within a couple of days. He is a very calm dog, rarely barks—even when we are walking, and he's very well behaved. We love him to pieces and are so happy that we adopted him. It feels like he has been with us forever. Thank you to the Humane Society for giving us the opportunity to have such a wonderful dog."
-Marcella

Merle (formerly Corn Kernel)

Merle was adopted in November of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "Merle is a bundle of joy to say the least. He is mischievous, inquisitive, sweet, and can’t sit still for hardly 2 seconds. He isn’t phased by a single thing. We can’t thank you guys enough for helping us with finding our new addition!"
-Shelbie

Cooper (formerly Rocco)

Cooper was adopted in December of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "He was adopted after my two senior citizen rescue dogs, Chauncey and Brandi, passed away at 19-years-old and 20-years-old. People say that we rescue dogs, but it’s really the dogs who rescue us. He has not left my side since I’ve gotten him. He comes everywhere with me. He’s working on learning to swim right now. I’m waiting for his life vest to come. We’re working on fetch together and working on his off leash training as well. He has helped me so much get over my loss. He is such a special special dog!"
-Jeffrey

Toby (formerly Tantor)

Toby was adopted in December of 2023.

May 2024 Update: "I adopted Toby 5 weeks after losing my former rescue Rylee (formerly Lady) to cancer. Toby is definitely a big part of my heart already—such a sociable, kind-hearted boy who makes my every day enjoyable. He loves every dog he meets, big & small. Not a mean bone in his body. Also he never barks. Toby has separation anxiety, but we are working on that. I guess he loves me as much as I love him."
-Debra

PawPaw

PawPaw was adopted in November of 2023.

April 2024 Update: "PawPaw first came to our family as a foster, along with his mom and 3 other brothers. They were only a few weeks old and needed heating pads and special care for their eyes. They all had been born with a congenital issue, their eyelids turned inward. They eventually all went back to the humane society to get neutered and have surgery on their eyes. Mom and 3 of the kittens all got adopted. I regularly checked on all of them and found out PawPaw was the last one left. We loved all the kittens so much, but PawPaw was our favorite. So of course we had to bring him home to be with us furever!!! He has two dog brothers, and they all love each other so much—as well as another cat we adopted from the humane society, Lola. He (PawPaw) is the sweetest, most cuddly boy!"
-Marlene

Jake

Jake was adopted in March of 2024.

April 2024 Update: "He's a wonderful dog. He's loving his new home!"
-James

Apollo (formerly Cheese)

Cheese was adopted in February 2024 and is now named Apollo.

"He was very skiddish at first, but now he knows he has a home and is much more comfortable. He has a plethora of toys to throw around throughout the day. He's is the process of training but the sky's the limit now." - Joshua

PJ (formerly Prince)

PJ was adopted in March of 2024.

"I adopted little PJ into our family after the recent passing of my 17-year-old dog. She was my childhood pet, and I have never adopted a dog on my own before—let alone this young! But Mr. PJ has brought me so much joy and light in my darkest moments. It's only been a week—but he went from being so sad, scared and defeated to being the talk of the neighborhood! He makes me laugh and play again! Thank you guys for all your hard work as you find these doggies and kitties wonderful homes!" -Isabel

Frtiz

"I was only supposed to be fostering Fritz after his surgery to amputate his leg. But I fell in love with the little guy and now he is my baby forever! Fritz is faster than some dogs who have four legs. Everyone who meets Fritz comments on what a happy little dog he is. He loves playing tug of war and fetch with his toys and running with other pups at the dog park. He buries himself under the covers to sleep next to me at night. He has such a vibrant and sweet personality. He is very special and has helped me heal from losing my dog of 16 years that I had before him. Thank you for saving his life." - Misty

Cyrus

"We adopted Cyrus last summer after my best friend passed away after 11 years. Cyrus was there to heal our broken hearts and we are so so happy he became part of our family. He is just the sweetest and funniest boy, and he loves our trips to the beach or the park. Thank you so much!" - Marloes

Lilli Ann

"Lilli Ann was a stray who was brought to HSSC. She was very shy and took a while to feel comfortable, but now she is enjoying being the princess of the house." -Linda

Binx

"Pepsi (now Binx) was a loud, mouthy boy in the shelter. He loved the attention. I knew he was the cat for me. I decided to bring him home, and we were close right away. I was told he was not a lap cat, but that is exactly what he became once we got through the door. I ended up leaving my apartment in Sarasota and going back to Michigan because of COVID-19. He was a good boy in the car and in the hotel rooms. He loves his new place, and he is the ultimate study buddy. He is going to be my partner in crime."

Peaches

"We adopted Penny and Peaches from HSSC. We can't believe how much time has gone by. They are part of the family, and still, make us smile every day. These girls have become great buddies, even though they have very different personalities. Penny is energetic, and Peaches is more chill. Ying and Yang. Thank you for everything you do to help our furry friends."

Summer

"I just noticed a couple of days ago that Summer has a heart on her side. Must mean she's real love. She and Sam are the best of friends and play together all the time!"

Jasper & Alice

"Our family adopted Alice. We went back the same day to adopt Jasper. Both love their new home! They stay out on the lanai all day playing. Our older cats are taking care of them, cleaning them and protecting them. It’s a happy ending!"

Maverick

"I want to say thank you to the staff for believing in Maverick and helping him get through his fears. When we went home, he was only home for an hour and acted like he had lived their forever. He loves his backyard and balcony and even warmed up to one of the cats, who is now his best friend. Maverick and the cat even share some meals. Perfect match made. I want you all to know that Maverick will have a loving, caring forever home until the very end. Thank you all so much. He saved me!"

Scully

"We adopted Scully. He’s an incredible, intelligent and super athletic boy who brings me so much happiness! His original owner requested that his adopter(s) contact her to update her on how Scully (Dusty) was doing. I texted her later the same evening that I adopted him, and we’ve been in contact since. I’ve even met her and her three-year-old son with Scully in my neighborhood Bay for a little swim and a long chat. She and I both love him so much and want the very best for him, and I value the knowledge that she can give me about his history. So far Scully has been to Arlington Dog Park, the 17th Street Dog Park, the Venice dog beach, the Bay in my neighborhood multiple times, and Petco a few times. He has a ton of energy, and as of today has been enrolled in West Coast Air Dogs to start dock diving once their new facility is complete. I can’t believe my luck in adopting this beautiful young GSHP from the Humane Society of Sarasota. He really is everything that I was looking for in a dog, and I am so grateful for him! Thank you for the wonderful work that you do to help the animal population of Sarasota. In the process, you’re certainly helping us humans, too."

Grande

"We had lost 2 dogs which we loved and had for quite a while. So, we were looking to adopt a new fur baby. We went to HSCC and immediately once introduced to Brooks which was his name from the shelter. We fell in love with him. He is a playful, smart, lovable dog and has made himself at home with us and now his 2 cat brothers. We are so happy we found him, and he has given us so much love. Thank you HSSC."

Sunflower

"Sunflower is adapting so good to her new home. She has so many toys which she plays with every day with. She loves sleeping between mom and dad at nights and loves playing with other dogs. We could not have asked for a better dog. She is amazing and we love having her."

Miss Molly

"Can't wait to grow with her!"

Roxy & Captain

"Roxy and Captain have been amazing! We adopted them within a month of each other because Roxy was lonely. They adjusted to each other within a couple days. It made Roxy, the older girl, spryer and more energetic. Captain, formerly Tucker, is incredibly smart and loves all his toys. We bring them on adventures multiple times a week. They absolutely love the car and get excited every time they see me grab their special backpack for adventures where I keep all the essentials. They have been such a great addition to our family."

Sophie

" I adopted miss Sophie from you guys in August 2013 and wanted to show how much she’s grown and loved her life with me the past eight years! I’m so glad she was there on that day I decided to go look. "

Mr. Ragz

"Mr. Ragz has really come out of his shell. He is the most playful and sweetest dog I've ever seen. He is the perfect addition to our family."

Smudge

"I have had smudge for a little over a week now and have to say he is doing wonderful! Smudge and my other rescue Cuja have bonded almost immediately. He is out of his shell and now likes to chase squirrels, squeaky toys do not bother him, and love coming back from a walk to get a treat! He likes sneaking socks into his bed as well while I am doing laundry. Wonderful guard dog, an overly sweet dog, and smart boy as well! So happy I got him!"

Lily

"We couldn't be happier. A perfect match made!"

Lucy

"Lucy’s story most certainly did not have a happy beginning, but it does have a happy ending. In 2017, I began to experience health-related problems and that an emotional support dog or therapy animal would be helpful. I began to look at different shelters to find my perfect match. The looking was tough, and I was feeling discouraged until I met Lucy. When I told the staff what I was looking for they immediately thought of her. They warned me she had been through a lot and had some medical problems. That was ok with me since I had my own medical problems as well. When I first saw her, I noticed that she barely had the use of both her back legs, she walked crooked, and she had bald spots from scars. She was a mess and I completely fell in love with her. Lucy calmly walked over to me, sat by my feet, and licked my hand while gazing into my eyes. I knew she was the one. When I brought Lucy home, I knew she would need medical help and it was obvious that she had been abused. She was on pain medication, and she could barely walk a block. With the support of my husband, we got a personal doggie trainer to come to our house weekly to help Lucy with her medical problems and to build her confidence back up. She settled in so well with our family and her four cat siblings (all rescues!) that we could never imagine a time without her. Now Lucy is our spoiled child who sleeps on the bed, has her own huge wardrobe for clothes, and has a big, fenced back yard to play in. The best part? No more medications! Not only can she walk but she can run! She proves that it does not matter where you are from or your past, it just matters where you are going."

Noah

"He is such an amazing and loving dog. He is so playful with the kids. He is practically being spoiled sleeping in my bed with all his new toys. He is being such a good boy."

Milo

"Milo is such a good boy. He loves other dogs! He is not having any issues there. He is eating well, loving his walks, and loves to be pet. Thank you for allowing me to adopt him. His last foster mom and I stay in touch and she did a fabulous job getting him ready to be adopted."

Rascals

"We fell in love with Rascols right away. We had been searching for a Pittie breed and he lives up to every expectation we love about the breed. His heart is the biggest part of him. He loves everyone that he meets and only wants to be loved. He is gained about twelve pounds since his adoption and is at a perfect weight. He has the perfect amount of energy. He relaxes during the day and likes to play for a little bit in the evening. His favorite activities are playing with his rope toys, tearing the stuffing out of other toys and his all-time favorite is, running along the fence with our neighbors’ dog and having our brother-in-law's dog come over to run with them.

He hates cool weather, we got him a few sweaters, so he is comfortable sleeping on his outside bed when we sit on our patio area, in the fenced-in back yard. He enjoys car rides and walks which we bring him on both occasions. He stays loose in our home when are not around and does not destroy anything. He has good recall which we are working on to make it 100 percent even in high stimulation situations. He really is the best fit for our home, and exactly the large fur baby we had been searching for. He is happy and healthy and knows this is his forever home. He would not ever want to leave our sides. He is extremely loyal and loves sleeping in dog beds that are way too small for him!"