LOCATION

Animal Refuge Center
18011 Old Bayshore Road
North Fort Myers, FL, 33917

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HOURS

Open Tues-Sat from 10am-3pm (by appointment) for visits, adoptions, & tours (excluding major holidays).

Volunteers are welcomed every day!

PHONE:
239 -731-3535

OUR MISSION

The Animal Refuge Center is a 501c3 Non-Profit animal welfare society. We are a non-euthanasia organization dedicated to caring for all owner surrendered cats and dogs we’ve received into our care.

As the largest no-kill shelter/sanctuary in SW Florida, we provide interim shelter and medical care to cats and dogs who were once pets, and through no fault of their own, found themselves homeless, injured, or abandoned. Our philosophy avows that once an animal is accepted into our care, it will not be destroyed to make room for another.

We place approximately 500 dogs and cats per year into responsible, loving homes through direct and indirect adoptions.

ARC’s on-going mission is to provide community education as to the needs and care of animals, and public awareness regarding the importance of spaying and neutering their animal companions, with the ultimate result being the elimination of euthanasia.

If you are looking to adopt, surrender, tour, etc - please click HERE.

Now follow us on X (Twitter) at: https://x.com/AnimalRefuge.com

A Letter From the President

As I reflect on the past year (2025) at the Animal Refuge Center, I am filled with gratitude and pride for what we have accomplished together. Our mission has always been clear: to provide a safe, loving, and permanent refuge for the cats and dogs entrusted to our care. As the largest no-kill shelter in Southwest Florida, we remain steadfast in our promise that once an animal enters our doors, it will never be destroyed to make room for another. Every life matters here, and every resident is treated with dignity, compassion, and the hope of a brighter future.

Our residents are the heart of ARC. Each dog and cat carries a story—some of abandonment, others of injury or loss—but all of resilience. They remind us daily why our work is so vital. Whether it is Liberty, a multi-year canine resident who greets visitors with boundless joy, or Yeti, a feline awaiting his forever family, these animals embody the spirit of survival and the need for unconditional love. We have and always will, do anything for them. We provide extensive medical care, the daily loving touch of staff members and volunteers, and the promise that they are safe and cherished until the right home is found.

This year, we have recommitted ourselves to expanding our reach. While our roots are firmly planted in Southwest Florida, the challenges facing animals are global. Most people would simply not believe the way some animals are mistreated. We are actively building partnerships with a few select agencies beyond our region—even outside the United States—to share our shelter, knowledge, resources, and strategies that will save more lives. By working together, we will amplify our impact and ensure that our core values of compassion, and our no-kill philosophy, extend far beyond our own community.

Our unwavering commitment is not just a promise—it is a way of life at ARC. Through storms, through financial challenges, through every obstacle, our staff, volunteers, and supporters rise to meet the needs of our animals. We are driven by the belief that kindness and perseverance can change the world, one life at a time. As we look ahead, we invite you to stand with us, to share in our mission, and to help us continue writing stories of hope and healing for every animal who calls ARC home.

With deepest gratitude,

Wayne Leinen, Jr.

ARC Board President

WE RELY ON YOUR GENEROSITY : DONATE TODAY!

The Animal Refuge Center could not survive were it not for the kindness and generosity of the public. Through donations acquired by caring people, ARC has cared for and found homes for thousands of animals over the past 20+ years. Just $5 can go a long way so please consider a donation!