​My husband and I moved to Florida four years ago. We have been cat parents to several cats over the years. At the time of our move, we only had one, Zoe, and she was 14 when she passed.

​Were we going to get another cat? Well, maybe, and it has to be an adult and only one!

So I see these two siblings at the shelter, certainly bonded and only four months old. Our eyes met, and I was instantly in love! My husband came to see them and was instantly in agreement. Let’s take them home.

So here we are with two (not one) kittens. And now we couldn’t be happier with our new family!

Biscuit and Charlie were formally known as Jack and Jill at the C.A.R.E. shelter.

Bandit was adopted in May 2021, soon after our beautiful Sara crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. He was a wild child and not in a good way. He had been treated badly by a man.  Since I'm a pet sitter, Bandit was immediately exposed to many other well behaved dogs and we found he has real empathy with other members of his species. He plays hard with confident dogs but is gentle with smaller fearful guests. The change in him over the last year and half has been remarkable. Our biggest hurdle now is strange men, and squirrels.

When he's not playing with friends, Bandit likes to hike, make trips to the dump and Home Depot, and have lunch at outdoor restaurants.
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His DNA is being tested, I'll let you know the results.

- Melanie Higgins

My husband and I had just set out to look for an older dog when we first went to C.A.R.E. As we were leaving this 10-week-old puppy was barking at us frantically as though he was saying "Where are you going, I am right here!"  We went on to look at other shelters and ended up going back two days later?  Four of the pups were adopted and he was still there?  He came over and licked my feet like "Thanks for coming back for me?"  That was 10/12/2019.  He is spoiled and cherish as family.  Thanks for letting us adopt him. 
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-Patricia McKee 

A little over five years ago we decided that we needed a dog in our lives again. We thought to adopt an older dog but as soon as we held the puppy Xena at C.A.R.E. we were lost!
We moved to Apollo Beach knowing no one but Xena provided the perfect introduction to all of our neighbors, who can resist a puppy? She house trained herself in a matter of days and never used any of our new furniture as teething material.
We tell her often that she’s lucky to be a retirement dog but we are truly the lucky ones.

​It did not take long for Shera to wrap us around her finger. Shera has become the most talkative, demanding and spoiled personality; she is enjoying life to the fullest running at top speed everywhere and still being as rambunctious as any kitty you have ever met. We think she is just crazy. If she wants something she makes it her priority to let us know, very loudly and emphatically. Her favorite toy is a 6' red ribbon she drags everywhere and expects you to drop everything to play with her. And of course, we do. She will not use the cat door to go out onto the lanai. She sits at the door, whines and then we have to let the princess out through the main door.  She is really at home here and enjoying her life.

Brady has settled in well in the 4 months he's been with us and has become a wonderful part of our family.  This took patience over a couple of months of basic obedience commands, and a lot of praise that a rescue of unknown history needed to develop his confidence and develop trusting family relationships.  But this patience and praise really paid off to let his intelligence and friendly personality really shine.  

​We adopted Sadie from C.A.R.E. when she was 8 weeks old! She soon became our other dog Charlie’s best buddy! It didn’t take her long to potty train as big brother showed her the ropes outside! They both love camping and Sadie takes in all the scenery and watches squirrels and as big brother barks inappropriately! Sadie also has three cat pals that she chases daily, in a friendly way, but the cats sometimes go into their cat tree for some peace and quiet.  There is nowhere I can’t go in the house that Sadie isn’t by my side! She always greets us at the door with her toy in her mouth. Sadie is a lover and wants nothing more than to sit by your side! 

​Hard to believe we brought this handsome boy home 16 months ago from C.A.R.E. when he was only 8 months old and today Bolin celebrates his 2nd birthday. Boy does time fly! He is still his talkative, quite inquisitive, needs his kitty massage self. Still aggravates his doggy brother Jack and loves hanging out on the lanai chasing birds and lizards. He and I have quite the conversations.  He comes running to his name now and stands at the frig with the dogs when it's feeding time. He will literally tell me where all his lost springs are by reaching under with his paw and then lie down waiting for me to get the stick and retrieve them. He is hilarious and we love him dearly. He adds much needed spice to our life.

​Minnie was born at the shelter so we got to watch her grow. Her new family shared this with us. “Minnie is doing very well. She currently lives with 2 male brothers Buddy and Dylan who are 6 year old Chihuahua mixes. She loves to run after them, and play tug of war. She is a very smart, active little girl who keeps us very busy!”

We are happy to see you doing so well Minnie! Happy Tails!

​When Domino first came to C.A.R.E, she had been tied to the fence, and chewed through the leash. Volunteers found her and brought her in. She was timid but extremely sweet. She had been through a lot, but our Volunteers were able to get her beautiful personality to shine. After a few weeks, a couple who volunteer at the shelter adopted her. She fits perfectly in her new family. She has kids that love to play and cuddle and two doggy siblings. She is treated like the princess she is and her new family loves her more and more everyday.