St. Francis Animal Rescue (SFAR) started in 1992, when a group of volunteers banded together to feed and spay/neuter a large colony of feral cats living at the North Jetty in Nokomis, FL. As their efforts grew, they quickly realized the need to help stray, homeless, unwanted and abondoned cats was widespread. As a result, SFAR became a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization in 1993. Three years later, property was purchased to house a mostly cageless, no-kill adoption center and thrift store. The shelter is still located at 1925 S Tamiami Trail, but in 2005, the thrift store relocated to provide space for a new adoption room, kitten room and office.

SFAR is a volunteer driven organization that cares for 500 plus cats and kittens at any given time. This includes our residents, adoptable cats and kittens, fosters and feral populations. Our adoption counselors, who are all volunteers, work diligently to place the right cat or kitten with a good owner.

Ways you can help:

• Make a donation (see Donations page for more info)
• Volunteer (see Volunteer page for more details)
• Shop at our thrift store (see their page on this site)
• Cans4Cats Recycling program - drop off container at back of shelter
• Donate your company's services - call (941) 492-6200 and ask for Jill

Judy Lane, pictured below, is one of our founders. She is still actively involved with the shelter on a daily basis.

Mission statement:
We are a no-kill shelter whose objective is to rescue abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens in our community and to provide them with shelter, food, medical care and love until we can find them responsible, loving homes through adoption or for their entire life if they remain at the shelter. We support local spray/neuter programs and want to help educate people about responsible pet ownership.