Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals

FKSPCA provides Animal Control services, cruelty investigations and adoption programs to the citizens of the Lower Florida Keys. The costs to fulfil the requirements of the County Contract in 2021 were $1,701,849 in program expenses. The Contract costs not covered by the fees received from the County resulted in a approximate shortfall of $473,700 that was covered with donations from the public and fundraising events. Donations and fundraising from the public also cover all the other general shelter costs in this program. Total costs for all other sections of this program, including Oscar's fund medical, total $575,682.Donations from the public for Oscar's Fund cover extraordinary medical bills for shelter animals that would not otherwise be possible. In 2021, Oscar's Fund paid out $8,880 and received $2,120 in donations. During 2021, 559 animals were surrendered by their owners and 1,138 animals (including 168 wildlife animals) were picked up or brought to the shelter as lost or strays. Of the 1,138 animals picked up or brought in, 254 were dead on arrival or died. During 2021, 632 animals were adopted out to new homes or transferred to specialty rescues and 399 were reunited with their owners. The FKSPCA live release rate for 2021 was again 92.0% The FKSPCA's Safe Haven program offers temporary housing for pets belonging to individuals in crisis situations such as emergency hospitalization or escaping domestic abuse. This service is provided free of charge.To encourage the adoption of older animals, the FKSPCA has two programs to encourage adoption of senior pets. A 6/60 program matches senior adopters (over 60 years of age)with pets over 6 years of age with no adoption fees. Adoption costs are covered by general donations. The Golden Paw Project highlights qualifying pets 8 years old or greater and makes those pets available with no adoption fees, discounted clinic services and one year free vaccines, exam and flea, tick and heartworm prevention.Other services available to the citizens of the Lower Keys under this program service include: low cost microchipping, behavioral counseling, owner requested end of life services for pets, and volunteering in various capacities for the shelter.Educational programs are a part of this program service.The FKSPCA plans more community outreach and education programs. Programs began in 2019 to work with schools and other non-profit organizations. The programs continue to be successful.

The Key West Dog Park was established by a small group of Key West citizens as a project of the FKSPCA. The FKSPCA continues to: (1) work as liaison between dog park advocates and local governments and (2) facilitate improvements to the Park. The Park provides a safe place for the dog owners of the Lower Keys to bring their dog for exercise off leash and a venue for animal related events. Each year the FKSPCA holds an annual event at the Key West Dog Park for the community and their pets. The event provides a fun venue for pet owners to get information about local vets, pet services of all kinds and the FKSPCA services. In 2021 there were no expenses for the dog park.

FKSPCA provides low-cost spay & neuter services for dogs and cats and rabbits and the occasional exotic pet. The services are provided free of charge for pets of community residents who are unable to pay and for all feral cats and all pit bull/pit bull mixes. During 2021, FKSPCA spayed and neutered the 214 public dogs and cats and over 450 shelter animals.We also provided wellness services to more than 100 public animals during 2021. COVID caused our clinic services to continue to be limited in 2021. The FKSPCA is presently recruiting for a full time veterinarian in order to expand the spay & neuter services and wellness clinics in our community in the future.