A Home Until
They Find A Home

Safe Animal Shelter is Clay County's oldest no-kill shelter, created for the purpose of preserving and providing quality of life for lost, abandoned, abused and unwanted pets. The first facility opened in Orange Park in the summer of 1991 and continued to operate at that location until moving to a new facility in Middleburg, December 6, 2003. Since its inception, Safe Animal Shelter has provided loving care to over 11,000 cats and dogs until adopted into forever homes.

All rescued animals at the Safe Animal Shelter are provided food, shelter, loving care, attention, socialization, recreation, exercise and quality medical treatment. Medical treatment includes vaccinations, spay/neuter, heartworm treatment, corrective surgery and other needed services. Once residents are recovered and ready for adoption, they are placed in carefully screened permanent homes.

Safe Animal Shelter receives no government funding. Homeless cats and dogs are provided quality care only through private donations from individuals, groups and businesses.

HISTORY

From 1982 to 1990 the Clay County Humane Society operated a veterinary clinic and animal shelter. In 1990 the organization decided to close the shelter to exclusively provide low-cost veterinary services. A dedicated group of shelter volunteers believed the shelter provided a much needed community service and decided it should not be closed, so they formed the Safe Animal Shelter, a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation registered with the State of Florida.

SURRENDERING A PET

We have very limited space at our shelter and often we have a long waiting list of possible intakes. Before you seriously think about surrendering a pet, please look at all options. If there are behavior issues, please research trainers in the area. Many training videos are also available on the internet for free on YouTube and other websites. Most dogs can be trained quickly with consistent practice and patience. If your time is limited, look into having a friend, relative or professional stop by while you are gone to interact with your pet(s). Perhaps money is an issue, which is becoming increasingly common. Look into our area’s low-cost veterinary services and clinics. Discuss options with your vet.
If the decision is inevitable, please know that you must make an appointment at Safe Animal Shelter to surrender an animal. DO NOT ABANDON ANY ANIMAL ON OUR PROPERTY OR ANYWHERE. Please call (904) 276-7233 to ask about availability. Remember, we may not have space. However, if it is indeed a choice you must make, please make the best out of the situation until we do have space available. The euthanasia rate at the county animal control centers (AKA “the pound”) is very high.

If you would like to support our mission, please become a member. Memberships and donations help feed, shelter and supply medical treatment for the animals while in residence at the shelter. Anyone interested in learning more about the shelter is invited to visit and see how your donation is benefiting the animals. Contact us today >>>

The Safe Animal Shelter is a member of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.