Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Inc, which incorporated on September 2, 2005, may sound like a new organization; however A.R.F. was originally founded as a result of ”Animal Day,” a proclamation signed by then Mayor Walling, and the dedication and guidance of JoAnne and Ronald Garretson on October 12, 1974 in East Brunswick, New Jersey. On that day, volunteers gathered at the Brunswick Square Mall with tears in their eyes full of anticipation, but also fearful that the ten animals that they had to adopt out would not be adopted. Soon enough, their concerns would become history. The exhibit doors were officially opened at 10:00 am and by 10:30 am not only were the ten homeless animals adopted, but the volunteers had returned to the shelter to rescue more animals. During the next few months, many obstacles were overcome. In January of 1975, Ron Garretson suggested to build a ”Petmobile;” a vehicle that would go to the shelter, pick up the animals, and take them to the shopping malls, and adopt them out directly from the Petmobile. In other words, take the shelter to the people. Although raising the funds to cover the expenses was another challenge, the volunteers once again found a way to overcome this challenge. On July 26, 1975, the Animal Rescue Force "Petmobile" was officially put into operation. During their first year, the Petmobile found homes for 1,057 dogs and cats. Several years and many rescues later, JoAnne and her husband Ronny retired to Florida, and left a successful rescue group in the hands of dedicated volunteers. A few years later, JoAnne and Ronny decided to start another rescue group in South Florida, and once again, with the help of others, A.R.F. was founded in Palm Beach County. After nine successful years, over 8,000 adoptions, and three presidents later, the third president decided to retire and dissolve the organization. Although, it was a decision not accepted by the members, the Board voted to dissolve A.R.F. Subsequently, A.R.F. was dissolved on August 9, 2005 and all of the assets, including the "Petmobile" were donated to other charities. Immediately thereafter, some of the volunteers regrouped, formed a Board of Directors, and submitted an application for incorporation. The corporation was officially formed on September 2, 2005, followed by the 501(c)3 status October 11, 2005. With the direction of the newly formed board, Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Inc. was founded. A.R.F.’s kick-off event, the Delray Beach Garlic Fest, was a huge success. During the event, the group found loving homes for 11 animals, and raised a significant amount of funds. To date, A.R.F. has been able to find loving homes for thousands of homeless animals. As the result of the volunteers’ tireless efforts, on April 4th, 2006 the purchase of an ”Adoption Shuttle” was made possible. The 37’ RV made its maiden voyage a week later during the Delray Beach Easter Bonnet Parade. The Adoption Shuttle, which enabled various animals to be transported together, was driven to different sites on the weekends for the purpose of finding homeless animals loving homes. The shuttle was retired in 2011 and was replaced by a more economical van that still enables A.R.F. to take the animals to the people. A.R.F. also continues its mission of rescuing animals from shelters; primarily Animal Care and Control in Palm Beach County. In December, 2010, after extensive fundraising and two years of design and construction, a dream for the board members finally came true. The Animal Rescue Force of South Florida "Adoption Center" opened at 5115 S. Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach, and A.R.F entered a new phase of the rescue world having a home base. A.R.F is a unique rescue group in that all the animals are housed in foster homes or at our Adoption Center. Thus, each animal's personality is known and the perfect match of a "forever" home can be made. The increased socialization and family life makes each animal more adoptable. In addition to the Adoption Center, A.R.F. has secured other adoption locations to showcase our animals, including a PetSmart and two PetSuppliesPlus stores all in Palm Beach County. The group’s diligent efforts continue to focus on finding homes for homeless pets and in rescuing animals from local shelters, and from the public, while promoting that every animal should be spayed or neutered, and that every animal deserves a loving home.
If you are interested in adopting an animal, please fill out anAdoption Application Form. If you are interested in a specific animal, please make sure to list the name of that animal on the application. An Adoption Counselor will call you within 24 hours.
Palm Beach FL 33480 | 2.9 miles away
Save A Pet Florida, Inc. was originally founded as “Save Precious Lives, Inc.” by Gertrude Maxwell in 1978. The name was changed to Save A Pet Florida, Inc. on January 19, 1988. Every day our volunteers donate their time to rescue homeless animals from a parking lot, a car engine, an abandoned building, etc.
West Palm Beach FL 33405 | 3.3 miles away
MisFit ResQ, is a non profit-501c3 animal rescue that focuses primarily on the animals that would not have a chance, many of which are highly adoptable dogs or cats, with emotional issues, abandonment, or medical setbacks that just need working out. We focus on the “underdogs”, the ones with broken bones, behavioral blocks, or mommies with puppies; typically the ones closest to euthanasia. The
Lake Worth FL 33461 | 3.6 miles away
Herb's Farm was founded by Debbie Engel in 2013. Herb's Farm is a small Animal Sanctuary working to stop the suffering and overpopulation of unwanted animals through shelter, adoption, love and care. Herb's Farm is a 501(c) non-proft organization and relies on the generosity of our donors.
Lake Worth FL 33466 | 4.5 miles away
RU4Me Pet Rescue, Inc., is an all volunteer rescue based in the Boynton Beach area of Palm Beach County Florida. We are a 501c3 cat and dog rescue organization that relies 100% on donations and grants for rescuing unwanted pets in Palm Beach County.
West Palm Beach FL 33409 | 5.1 miles away
The Mission of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches, Incorporated is to provide shelter to lost, homeless and unwanted animals, to provide spay and neuter and other medical services for companion animals, and to care for, protect, and find quality homes for homeless and neglected companion animals, to advocate animal welfare, community involvement and education to further the b
West Palm Beach FL 33411 | 6.6 miles away
Animal Care and Control is part of Palm Beach County Government. Our shelter was started in 1969. We are located at 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Florida (five miles west of I-95). In 1974, the shelter became a division of the Public Safety Department. Programs and services were expanded to keep pace with the growing human and animal population. In 1980, the division became fully accredite
West Palm Beach FL 33411 | 7.7 miles away
Kibblez of Love, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non profit organization dedicated to the well-being of family pets. We provide pet food to families in financial distress as well as aid in spay and neuter services for these families. If a family’s need is greater than what we can provide, we will assist with finding the pet or pets a new home.
Boynton Beach FL 33426 | 8.1 miles away
We are a non-profit rabbit rescue in South Florida. Formerly known as “Sivan’s Rabbit Rescue South Florida”, the South Florida Rabbit Rescue is committed to a world where “everybunny” gets to have a loving home. We enhance house rabbits’ quality of life by providing extensive education on how to care for house rabbits. All of our bunnies are provided with medical attention (including s
West Palm Beach FL 33411 | 9.2 miles away
We are a 501(c)3 corporation organized based out of West Palm Beach and run completely by volunteers who are dedicated to finding responsible, loving homes for racing greyhounds that no longer qualify to compete at the racetrack. As Greyhound Pet Adoption Florida/Southeast is an entirely volunteer organization, all funds received go to the care of the dogs, maintenance of the kennel, and events wh
Royal Palm Beach FL 33421 | 9.4 miles away
All For One Pet Rescue is a team of passionate volunteers dedicated to the rescue of adoptable animals at risk of euthanasia, with a focus on quality care, community education, and to act as a voice to improve the quality of life for all animals.
Royal Palm Beach FL 33421 | 9.4 miles away
A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, founded in October 2007, is a 100% volunteer, foster-based 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue group based in Palm Beach County, Florida. From the Board of Directors to our Foster Caretakers to our Event Staff, each volunteer gives generously of their time and skills, motivated solely by a desire to help animals. A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue combin
Royal Palm Beach FL 33411 | 9.4 miles away
Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue’s Mission is to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats from becoming victim to shelter euthanasia, while educating the public on the importance of adoption and spay and neuter in our community. Our volunteer staff is dedicated to saving pregnant and nursing animals, as well as, orphaned puppies/kittens, and any unwanted animal, whether sick or healthy. If ther
Lake Park FL 33403 | 9.5 miles away
Adopt A Cat is the only No-Kill cat shelter in Palm Beach County. We are committed to saving the lives of street cats, cats left behind, and cats found abandoned and abused by housing them, providing them with nourishing meals, excellent veterinary care, and finding them forever homes. we are a volunteer-run charity and depend entirely on donations from individuals and corporations for support,
Lake Worth FL | 9.6 miles away
Luv-A-Bun is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization who rescues domesticated abandoned and neglected rabbits. All bunnies are kept in loving foster homes and are provided with medical and rehabilitative care, socialized, spayed or neutered, and litter box trained. We interview and properly educate each applicant to make sure that every rabbit finds a wonderful indoor loving home. We are dedi
Royal Palm Beach FL 33411 | 10.9 miles away
Our mission is to rescue and bring affordable wellness care to people's companion animals. Finding forever homes for our fosters brings us great joy.
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