Frequently Asked Questions

We take the responsibility of euthanasia very seriously at HSTC, and it is one of the most important humane services we provide. Our policy and procedures are aligned with the best practices for euthanasia, as suggested by the Florida Animal Control Association. The drugs used to euthanize animals are all strictly monitored by state and federal authorities and allow for no suffering by the animals. Our shelter and its operations are routinely inspected to insure that we are continue to follow these important state guidelines. Additionally, we have a three-member committee that oversees all euthanasia decisions at the shelter. Staff and veterinarians serve this role on a rotating basis in order to avoid compassion fatigue.

Not all euthanasia decisions are determined by HSTC. Pet owners, veterinarians, and other animal services can all request that an animal be euthanized at our shelter. HSTC always treats euthanasia as the last resort. Many animals cannot be placed in homes for adoption for various reasons, from untreatable illnesses that cause prolonged animal suffering to extreme cases of aggression that lead to unsafe conditions for animal caregivers. At times animals brought to our shelter are terminally ill or have been so gravely injured that there are no viable options to save the animal. With the continued charitable support of our community, HSTC is able to provide the necessary extensive medical care to the majority of our shelter animals, however, there are unfortunately, some times when the only humane option is to euthanize the animal.

HSTC follows strict guidelines set forth by the Florida Animal Control Association, which is approved by the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine. All HSTC technicians are state-certified and have completed a 16-hour course before they can perform euthanasia at our shelter, as required by Florida Statute 828.058. Florida statute does not require a veterinarian to be present for euthanasia. The HSTC has undergone four independent investigations – none of which have found us to be in violation of any statutes nor have we performed any inhumane actions. Our staff and volunteers are all committed to providing compassionate care to all our animals.

By law, HSTC holds stay animals for five nights. On the sixth day, if the animal is healthy, we begin assessments and preparations for the ultimate goal of pet adoption.

Yes, we always accept our animals back, however we would first like the opportunity to help solve whatever problems are leading to this desire for a pet surrender. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast wants to help find our animals permanent, forever homes, and also act as a helpful resource to pet owners. In the case that the circumstances are non-amenable, we will gladly reinstate your pet back into our care. Please note, that all adoption fees are non-refundable.

No, the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast does not offer a public veterinary clinic, nor do we offer any public veterinary services beyond the Public Spay/Neuter program. Moreover, we do not offer any low-cost vaccinations to the public, aside from the vaccinations animals receive through an HSTC spay/neuter procedure. We encourage you to review our community veterinarian partners and utilize their outstanding services.

Yes! We encourage partnerships with rescue organizations and have teamed with over 100 organizations from around the state. HSTC is committed to setting animals up for long-term success and long, healthy lives, which includes placing them in environments best-suited for them. For more information, email Emily Recco, Foster & Rescue Manager, at erecco@hstc1.org.

Our first goal is always to find forever homes for our shelter animals. There are some cases, however, where a shelter environment does not produce the most adoptable qualities out of an animal. Any animal that is not adjusting well to the shelter is always in need of rescue help.  Because the goal is to find homes for as many animals as possible, any animal in adoption is also eligible for a rescue group transfer.

No, we do not provide service dog training at HSTC. We do have therapy dog training, which prepares dogs and their owners to visit the sick, grieving, aging, disabled, or otherwise suffering in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, after-school programs, and more.

Service Dogs are trained to perform tasks and to do work that eases their handlers’ disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs in public places such as restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels. Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are trained to provide psychological or physiological therapy to people rather than their owners. HSTC provides a pet therapy program to a variety of facilities and programs in Martin County and offers pet therapy training.

Yes! HSTC offers numerous obedience, behavior, and agility training courses, year-round, for all dogs. In some cases, our lead dog trainer may find it necessary and/or have availability to provide your dog with special, private training. You may also find it helpful to review the handouts readily available on our website. HSTC hopes to become the leading resource for pet owners in the Treasure Coast.

Yes! The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast offers obedience, behavior, and agility training for all dog owners. If you adopt your dog from our shelter, we also offer a $30 discount on classes!

Thanks to the continued support of our community, HSTC is able to provide foster volunteers with the necessary food, litter, transportation cage, dog crate, or medication needed for the animal you bring home. If you are able to provide food or any of these other necessities yourself, it would allow our staff to reserve these supplies for other foster volunteers who cannot take on the burden of these additional expenses.

The Humane Society owns and operates two thrift stores, both in Stuart. Both of these shops open at 10 am to 5 pm, daily. Donations are accepted until 4 pm, daily.

Our thrift stores do have a pick-up and delivery truck. We pick up large items like furniture, large pieces of art, and working appliances. You can call 772-286-6909 to schedule a pick-up. All other smaller items should be dropped off, by the donor, to either store location, seven days a week from 10 am to 4 pm, around the back.

HSTC Thrift accepts clean, gently used items including: furniture, clothing, household items, art, collectables, antiques, jewelry, linens, pet care items, sporting goods, books, lamps, and seasonal or holiday items. To be sellable, all items must be clean, complete, and in working order/good repair. We are unable to sell broken, damaged, incomplete or out of date items. Donations are graciously accepted from 10 am to 4 pm, at both stores, daily.

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is grateful for your donations, both monetary and “in-kind”. In-kind donations accepted at the shelter include: clean towels, unopened canned pet food; new cat, dog, or critter toys, food puzzles and kongs, and more. Check out our complete wish list on our Giving page.

We are so grateful that you’re thinking of us for donations, however please note that it is illegal for the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast to accept unused medication to provide to our animals. Please dispose of your pet’s medication by bringing it to the Martin County Sherriff’s Office.

HSTC has partnered with a great company so that you can actually donate the proceeds of your car, boat, motorcycle, RV, and other vehicles to our shelter! Learn more about our vehicle donation program on our Giving page.

The HSTC holds seven signature events throughout the year to raise money for the shelter. Most of our events are pet-friendly. If you’re interested in learning more about the events you can bring your dog too, please refer to further event details included on our Events page.

Thank you for your interest in choosing to partner with the HSTC for a fundraising event! Typically, we need 90-days’ notice when scheduling an event. You can learn more about hosting an event for HSTC by visiting our Events page or by emailing Courtney Zanetti, Director of Community Outreach, at czanetti@hstc1.org.

HSTC hosts several different events throughout the year, in which we welcome vendors to participate. Fees for a vendor booth vary from one event to another, and not every event is suitable for showcasing every kind of business. Fees to participate can range from $35 to $150. Visit our Events page to learn more about the variety of vendor opportunities

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer here at the HSTC! Your first step in getting started is to complete a volunteer application. Once you’ve submitted this, you can attend Volunteer Orientation. Upcoming orientation dates are posted online and do not require pre-registration to attend. After you have completed orientation, the volunteer manager will get you set-up within the department or area you’re most interested in volunteering for. Sometimes additional training is required, especially if you want to volunteer directly with our animals.

Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Volunteers between the ages of 12-15 must be accompanied by a family member, 18 years of age or older, and who has also attended orientation, completed necessary training, and is an active volunteer. Individuals 16-17 years old may volunteer on their own, so long as their application is signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes, court-ordered community service may be fulfilled at our shelter. It is important to note that community service opportunities are restricted to janitorial duties only. Animals are off limits, as they require specific care and additional training. Full disclosure, such as the charges placed against you, as well as your parole information officer’s contact information is required. We reserve the right to deny your application to complete your court-ordered community service at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

We primarily need fosters for dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens. Sometimes we also need foster caregivers to care for our critters. Including: rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals. Visit the Foster page on our website to learn more or e-mail Emily Recco, Foster Manager, at erecco@hstc1.org.

Every foster case varies from one to the next. Our most common needs include medical cases and weight-gain cases. Animals in foster due to medical needs typically stay in their foster home for two weeks, with at least one mandatory clinic check-up to identify the animal’s progress and continued needs. In the case of weight-gain fosters, we ask that animals are kept until they are two months old and two pounds, which is the standard age and weight for spay/neuter procedures required for animals to go into adoption.