Did you know Florida ranks 34th in the United States for overall pet ownership rate? That means fewer households in Florida have pets than in 33 of the other states. Yet, despite the lower rate of pet ownership, the Florida pet population is immense—9.6 million cats and over 500,000 dogs. Unfortunately, many of these animals are homeless, either roaming the streets or overcrowding shelters. Since 2022, the number of cats and dogs admitted to Florida shelters has been on the rise, adding to an already urgent crisis.
As animal shelters, clinics, and agencies struggle to provide care for the influx of animals, unsheltered pets face even greater dangers. Homeless pets come into contact with predators, diseases, harsh weather conditions, and lack of food. But, there is a silver lining through this all—people. Whether through direct action or small lifestyle changes, every effort counts. Below, we’ll discuss six ways you can step in and reduce the homeless Florida pet population.
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Buy a Plate, Save a Life
At Florida Animal Friend, our motto is simple: when you buy a license plate, you save a pet’s life. Your purchase goes beyond a very fashionable bumper plate. It plays a direct role in preventing unwanted litters, reducing disease transmission, and curbing aggressive behavior caused by unaltered pets. When you buy a Florida Animal Friend license plate, $25 from your purchase goes toward our annual $25,000 grant program, which funds free or low-cost spay/neuter services across the state. On average, we support more than 30 clinics each year in their mission to fix animals and reduce overpopulation.
A small decision—choosing a specialty plate—can lead to fewer animals suffering and more pets finding loving homes.
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Spread the Word
The fight against pet overpopulation starts with awareness. The more people who know about this crisis, the more they can take action. We want to see fewer stray cats and dogs facing life-threatening risks and more pets receiving proper care for their entire lives.
Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and community members about the importance of spaying and neutering. Let them know that Florida Animal Friend funds clinics offering free or affordable services to shelters, rescue groups, and families in need. Then, send them to our website so they can learn how to get involved, whether by purchasing a specialty plate, making a donation, or spreading awareness themselves.
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Help Stray Pets Get to the Right Place
Spotting a stray animal can be heartbreaking, and your first instinct might be to step in and help. But before you do, it’s important to get the right kind of support. If you see a stray dog, contact your local animal control or a nearby shelter. They have the resources to safely capture the dog, check for a microchip, and work to reunite them with their owner or find them a new home.
For free-roaming cats, the approach is a bit different. Many cats found outdoors are part of established cat communities and may already be cared for by a local trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. If you’re concerned about a stray cat’s well-being, reach out to a nearby animal shelter or rescue group. They can determine whether the cat needs assistance or if there’s already a TNR program managing the area. By taking the right steps, you can help lost or homeless pets find their way home or get the care they need.
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Fix Your Pets—Even Indoor Ones
If you’ve adopted or rescued a pet, spaying or neutering should be at the top of your to-do list. Even if your pet is strictly indoors, accidents happen—doors get left open, windows become escape routes, and pets can slip away in an instant. A pet that you have spayed or neutered won’t be able to contribute to the growing homeless pet population from that one accident.
Beyond preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering have significant health benefits. In females, spaying reduces the risk of uterine infections and certain cancers. In males, neutering lowers the risk of reproductive cancers and can decrease aggressive or territorial behaviors. Fixed pets are often calmer, healthier, and less prone to roaming.
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Make Donations
Not everyone has the ability to foster or adopt, but you can still make a meaningful impact by donating. Shelters and rescue organizations rely on community support to provide food, medical care, and housing for animals in need. Even a small donation can help provide essential resources that save lives.
Florida Animal Friend accepts donations year-round, separate from specialty plate purchases. Whether you choose to give a one-time donation or set up a recurring contribution, your generosity directly supports spay/neuter efforts and helps curb overpopulation. If you do purchase a specialty license plate, you’re also getting a bonus—a visible way to show your support of Florida Animal Friend while contributing $25 every time you renew your license plate.
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Refer a Clinic to Our Grants
Think about the animal shelters, veterinary clinics, or rescue groups in your area. Do you know one that could benefit from extra funding? Great, now reach out to them and let them know about Florida Animal Friend’s annual grant program!
Our grant applications are open now through April 1, 2025, and municipal or nonprofit agencies offering spay/neuter services in Florida can apply for up to $25,000 in funding. These grants help more pets get the care they need and reduce the number of animals entering shelters or living on the streets.
Encourage your local organizations to apply for our grant today!
Reducing the homeless Florida pet population doesn’t require a major overhaul—it just takes people who care enough to act. Whether you choose to adopt (and fix), donate, purchase a specialty license plate, or simply spread the word, every action makes a difference. Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for pets in the Sunshine State.
Thank you for taking the time to learn how you can help. If you have any questions or want to get involved, contact Florida Animal Friend today!