- January 9, 2025
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Ella enjoys her treat. Photo by Paige Wilson
“The number one reason would be for the animal’s life sake,” Amy Wade-Carotenuto said for reasons to adopt. Photo by Paige Wilson
Photo by Paige Wilson
Happy looks up at a treat. Photo by Paige Wilson
Thor rests in his crate. Photo by Paige Wilson
Amy Wade-Carotenuto pets cats that need to be adopted. Photo by Paige Wilson
Lance sits on a pillow. Photo by Paige Wilson
Mason munches on a treat. Photo by Paige Wilson
Squeakers. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jessie and Bandit. Photo by Paige Wilson
Daenery needs a new home. Photo by Paige Wilson
Payton. Photo by Paige Wilson
Able sits wide-eyed. Photo by Paige Wilson
Bobby peeks out of his cage. Photo by Paige Wilson
With a newly updated website, Flagler Humane Society is working to make pet adoptions and the nonprofit’s other services more accessible online.
“It’s going to be a work in progress,” FHS Executive Director Amy Wade-Carotenuto said. “What we’re ultimately trying to do is make a lot of things more user-friendly on a lot of angles.”
The site now has many forms available to be submitted online for those interested in adoption, volunteering, employment and more. Residents who are missing pets can also fill out lost pet forms online, expediting the process. After that, they’re encouraged to come into the shelter to see if there pet has been found.
As the only open-admission animal shelter in Flagler County, FHS has about 30 staff members (including two doctors) between Flagler Animal Services on 1 Shelter Drive and the FHS Thrift Store on 224 St. Joe Plaza Drive. In addition, there are about 50 active volunteers.
“We just want to make sure that they’re taken care of all around,” Wade-Carotenuto said. “It’s not just the food (bank), it’s making sure that if they have medical needs, right now we have the ability to help with that stuff, which is awesome. We didn’t a few years ago. We didn’t always have veterinarians on staff, so it’s nice to be able to help people with that.”
Wade-Carotenuto said that while the number of kittens at the shelter typically spikes in the spring, some years there is also a spike in the fall. That’s the case with this year, which has left FHS with many kittens that need to be adopted.
“Instead of someone surrendering one cat, they’re bringing in a mama and 10 kittens (now),” Wade- Carotenuto said.
She encourages Flagler County residents to open their hearts and homes to a new ball of fur this holiday season. As of Nov. 27, there are 65 dogs and 151 cats that need to be adopted. For more information, visit FlaglerHumaneSociety.org.
“The number one reason would be for the animal’s life sake,” Wade-Carotenuto said for reasons to adopt.
Adoption: FHS evaluates an animal’s behavior and interests and matches them to an adopter’s preferences, so that the adopter can take home a pet they can connect with. All adoptions include spay/neuter, canine heartworm test, feline leukemia test, vaccinations, worming, local vet exam and micro-chip.
Foster Parent Program: The shelter is always looking for more foster homes to prepare the animal for adoption into a permanent home, as well as help prevent overcrowding in the shelter. FHS shelter provides what’s needed for fostering.
Subsidized Spay/Neuter: A limited quantity of program certificates are allocated by the shelter each month to pet owners. Owners are responsible for certain additional costs based on veterinary providers’ discretion. Flagler County residents who wish to have their pets spayed/neutered at a private veterinary practice of their choice may apply to receive a $25 rebate from Flagler County.
Pet Food Bank: On the last Tuesday of every month, residents who qualify are able to come to 1 Shelter Drive, Palm Coast, to pick up food for their pets. An application and quick home visit is required to qualify.
Wellness Clinic: For residents that have issues they can’t afford for their pets, FHS has wellness clinics every Wednesday by appointment, as well as the first and third Saturday of the month and the second and fourth Friday of the month.
FHS Thrift Store: Located at 224 St. Joe Plaza Drive, the thrift store sells donated items like clothing, furniture and pet items as a main source of revenue for the Flagler Animal Services shelter.
Flagler Animal Services: FHS officers cover unincorporated Flagler County, Bunnell and Flagler Beach. They respond to calls on stray and injured animals, investigate abuse and neglect reports, trap stray cats and enforce Flagler County’s animal ordinances. For Palm Coast Animal Control services, call 986-2520.
Call the shelter at 445-1814, the thrift store at 597-2839, or email [email protected].
