The Humane Society of Sarasota County

What The Humane Society of Sarasota County does

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization incorporated in 1952 in Sarasota, Florida. It operates the area's only premier no-kill shelter, occupying a 38,000 sq ft facility completed through an $8.5M renovation in 2021 with capacity for more than 200 animals at any time. HSSC has maintained no-kill status since March 2009 and sustained an annual save rate above 90%; it saved 3,179 animals in 2024 (96.4% save rate) and is targeting 5,000 lives in 2025. The organization's core services include cat and dog adoptions (including military, seniors-for-seniors, and working cat programs), foster placement, volunteer programs, K-9 obedience and pet therapy training, a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program for community cats, lost-and-found pet services, rehoming assistance, and a pet food pantry (Pet Pantry). HSSC also runs the TAILS Program mentoring four regional county shelter partners (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota County) and coordinates disaster response transport operations across Florida.

HSSC's product surface is service-oriented rather than technology-driven. Technology dependencies are limited to commodity SaaS: Mailchimp for email marketing, Google Analytics for web tracking, PayPal for donation processing, Petango for pet listings, and Amazon/Chewy/Kuranda for wish-list fulfillment. No proprietary platform, mobile application, or AI/ML capabilities are present.

The business model is donation-dependent: HSSC receives contributions from individuals (one-time, recurring monthly, tributes, planned giving, Diamond Collar Society memberships), corporate partners (annual sponsorships, event underwriting), grants (e.g., Petco Love, Community Foundation of Sarasota County), in-kind gifts (Amazon/Chewy wish lists), matching programs (Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust), and special events (PAWS, Couture Caviar & Champagne, Tails & Tours, Unleashed in the Kitchen). The PAWS 2025 (Mission Pawssible) gala raised $321,945. Customer segments are pet adopters (individuals and families), regional partner shelters receiving animal transfers, and corporate/institutional donors. The organization holds Charity Navigator's 4-Star Rating (six consecutive years) and Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency. Headcount is 11-50 employees led by Executive Director Connie Boros (appointed October 2025), three Senior Directors (Finance & Administration, Advancement, Lifesaving Services), a Medical Director, and operational staff.

Name

The Humane Society of Sarasota County

Legal name

Humane Society of Sarasota County, Inc.

Website

https://hssc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Humane Society of Sarasota County is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter in Sarasota, Florida, providing cat and dog adoption, foster, veterinary, training, and TNVR services. Founded in 1952, it operates a 38,000 sq ft facility, saved 3,179 animals in 2024, and is funded entirely by donations, grants, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Veterinary Services (54194), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• No-kill shelter
• Community pet care

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: HSSC relies solely on contributions from individuals, organizations, and corporations. Donations are accepted through the website, with various giving options including one-time donations, recurring monthly giving, tributes, planned giving, and the Diamond Collar Society.
2. Matching Programs: The Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust matching program accepts individual donations ranging from $5 to $500 per household per month per charity with a maximum of $3,000 per household per year per charity.
3. Grants: HSSC receives grant funding from organizations such as Petco Love ($3,500 in 2025, $7,500 in 2024) to support lifesaving mission and medical treatment for animals.
4. Events: Special events such as PAWS (Mission Pawssible) generate significant fundraising revenue. The 2025 PAWS event raised $321,945.
5. In-Kind Donations: The organization receives wish list donations through Amazon, Chewy, and direct drop-offs including supplies for shelter animals, foster programs, pet pantry, and TNVR program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Humane Society of Sarasota County operates a no-kill animal shelter providing pet adoption services for cats and dogs (including Military Adoptions, Seniors for Seniors, and Working Cats programs), foster and volunteer programs, K-9 obedience and pet therapy training courses, a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) community cat program, and an in-house Animal Clinic. Support services include lost & found pet reunification, a pet resource library, rehoming assistance, and a pet food pantry (Pet Pantry) for owners in need. All services are provided free of charge and funded entirely by individual donations, corporate grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

The Humane Society of Sarasota County operates as a no-kill animal shelter offering a comprehensive suite of animal welfare services. The core offerings center on pet adoptions (for cats, dogs, working cats, military adoptions, and seniors-for-seniors programs), foster and volunteer programs, and pet training/therapy courses. The organization provides community support through its TNVR program for feral cats, lost & found pet services, a pet resource library, pet food assistance (Pet Pantry), and rehoming assistance. Fundraising mechanisms include direct donations, recurring giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, and retail incentive programs. The TAILS Program extends the organization's reach through mentorship of regional shelter partners. Additional engagement includes events (PAWS gala, Couture Caviar & Champagne), the Happy Tails adoption success stories platform, and a blog for news and updates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TAILS Program: Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services - an initiative to mentor and support regional county shelter partners including DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Sarasota County Animal Services.

Products and services

• Pet Adoptions Adoption services for cats and dogs, including Cats & Kittens, Dogs & Puppies, Military Adoptions, Seniors for Seniors, and Working Cats programs, for individuals and families in the Sarasota region.
• Foster Program Program enabling community members to temporarily foster animals in their homes, including emergency foster placements during natural disasters such as hurricanes.
• Volunteer Program Opportunities for individuals to volunteer at the HSSC shelter, including pet therapy services.
• Pet Training Courses K-9 obedience and pet therapy training courses offered at the shelter for pet owners and community members.
• Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) Program Community cat services program for trap-neuter-vaccinate-return of feral and stray cats in the Sarasota region.
• Animal Clinic In-house veterinary clinic providing medical care, high-volume spay/neuter surgery, and treatment for shelter animals.
• Lost & Found Pets Service Resource hub for locating lost pets and assisting owners in reunification with their animals.
• Pet Resource Library Health and safety information resources for pet owners, including educational content on responsible pet ownership.
• Rehome Assistance Assistance for pet owners who need to rehome their pets, helping find new permanent homes.
• Pet Food Assistance (Pet Pantry) Pet food assistance program supporting pet owners in need, distributing food to community members.
• Donation Programs Giving programs including direct donations, recurring giving, tributes, planned giving, Diamond Collar Society membership, and incentive programs through partner retailers.
• Partner Program Corporate partnership and sponsorship opportunities including annual partnerships, event sponsorships, and program sponsorships for businesses.
• TAILS Program (Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services) Mentorship and support program for regional county shelter partners including DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Sarasota County Animal Services, promoting collaboration to share resources and strategies for lifesaving outcomes.
• Community Events Organized fundraising and community events including PAWS annual gala (Mission Pawssible), Couture Caviar & Champagne, Tails & Tours, and Unleashed in the Kitchen.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.4% animal save rate in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASPCAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025New partnership announced June 2025 with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Provides HSSC with enhanced lifesaving resources, specialized training opportunities, disaster response support, and increased visibility through ASPCA's national reach. Opportunities for future grant funding and strengthened network of support.
• Best Friends Animal SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBest Friends Network Partner. Best Friends is a national leader in animal welfare working to end the killing of pets in America's shelters. HSSC collaborates with Best Friends and Florida Leaders in Lifesaving to make sure no animals are left behind during disasters.
• Bissell Pet FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner and collaborator on hurricane relief efforts. In October 2024, Bissell Pet Foundation helped transport more than 100 adoptable cats and dogs from Hurricane Milton-impacted shelters to facilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio via Wings of Rescue flights from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
• Community Foundation of Sarasota CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner providing administrative support for The Giving Partner, which requires organizations to provide in-depth information about community impact, financials, leadership, and goals. A prerequisite for participating in Giving Challenges.
• Hill's Pet NutritionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner providing pet food and nutrition support for shelter animals.
• PetSmart CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner supporting pet adoptions and shelter operations.
• Wings of RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal transport organization that flew hurricane-impacted animals from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to northern facilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio.
• TAILS Program Partner ShelterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSSC mentors and supports regional county shelter partners through the TAILS Program (Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services), including DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Sarasota County Animal Services. Promotes collaboration to share resources, knowledge, and strategies for greater lifesaving outcomes.
• Pasco County Animal ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrequent partnership to save lives in Florida. HSSC coordinated to welcome Buddy Boy and friends after Hurricane Helene left Pasco County without power.
• SPCA FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to transport dogs from Big Bend outdoor-kennel shelter to HSSC in Sarasota ahead of Hurricane Helene.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): National animal welfare organization that entered a strategic partnership with HSSC in June 2025; provides grants, training, disaster-response resources, and national visibility that compete with and complement local shelter operations.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare leader and HSSC's network partner; provides funding, training, and the national Best Friends Network framework that benchmarks HSSC's lifesaving metrics.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National umbrella animal welfare organization that sets advocacy priorities and competes for national donor dollars that could otherwise flow to community shelters like HSSC.

Direct peers

• Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando: Central Florida no-kill shelter with adoption, veterinary, and community programs of comparable scope; competes for statewide donor attention and partnership grants within Florida animal welfare.
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: Florida-based no-kill animal shelter operating in nearby Tampa Bay with comparable adoption, foster, and veterinary service programs, sharing donor pool overlap and serving as a direct operational comparator.
• SPCA Florida: Florida animal welfare nonprofit providing shelter, adoption, and veterinary services; HSSC has collaborated with SPCA Florida during Hurricane Helene response, making it a peer in scale, services, and regional disaster-response coordination.
• Humane Society Naples (Collier County): Southwest Florida no-kill shelter offering comparable adoption, clinic, and community services to HSSC, serving an adjacent affluent donor market in Collier County.

Others

• Bissell Pet Foundation: National pet welfare grantmaker that has partnered with HSSC on hurricane-relief animal transports; shapes adoption-event funding and disaster-response capacity rather than directly competing for adopters.
• Petco Love: National pet welfare grantmaking nonprofit and HSSC funder (grants in 2024 and 2025); adjacent funder that shapes the funding landscape for community shelters rather than directly competing for adopters.
• PetSmart Charities: National animal welfare grantmaker and annual HSSC partner; influences adoption-promotion funding and standards across the shelter sector.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/humanesrq
• Facebookfacebook.com/Humane.Society.of.Sarasota.County
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humane-society-of-sarasota-county-inc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Humane Society of Sarasota County