Edgewater, FL — November 11, 2025
The Edgewater Gazette recently reached out to the Edgewater Animal Shelter to learn more about its operations, adoption process, and how the community can better support its mission. The shelter, which cares for hundreds of animals each year, emphasized both the challenges it faces and the opportunities for residents to make a difference.
Adoption Process
Shelter staff explained that their adoption process is designed to ensure pets are placed in safe, loving homes. Prospective adopters begin with an online application, followed by background and veterinary checks. For households with other pets, landlord and HOA verifications are conducted to confirm breed and weight restrictions.
Dog adoptions include a meet-and-greet with resident dogs and a foster-to-adopt period lasting three to ten days. This trial run allows families to see how the new pet adjusts and ensures any unusual issues are identified early. Importantly, the shelter maintains a “no questions asked” return policy, guaranteeing that every adopted pet can always come back if needed.
Post-adoption support is also a cornerstone of their program. Each dog adopter receives one complimentary in-home training session, unlimited group training, and access to a training app—all free of charge. Cat and kitten adoptions follow a similar process, minus the meet-and-greet and foster-to-adopt trial.
Current Intake
At present, the shelter is caring for 43 dogs, including six in permanent foster care for medical or hospice needs, and 124 cats, many of whom are mothers with kittens in foster homes until the kittens are old enough for adoption. Monthly intake averages 15–20 animals, though numbers fluctuate depending on the season.
Urgent Placement Needs
Among the animals most in need of placement are senior cats and teenage cats who have grown up in the shelter. For dogs, the biggest challenge is the influx of strays that are never reclaimed by their owners. While Pit mixes remain the most common, staff report a recent increase in purebred dogs such as French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, and Great Pyrenees.
Shelter Challenges
Funding remains the shelter’s most pressing need, though supplies such as cleaning products, laundry items, and cat litter are also critical. Thanks to a partnership with Hill’s Pet Food, the shelter maintains a fully stocked pet food pantry for community members who need help feeding their pets.
When asked about potential partnerships, shelter staff said they were not yet aware of Rover Pet Stores Inc., an exotic pet store opening in Volusia Mall, but expressed interest in investigating further.
Community Engagement
The shelter is participating in several upcoming holiday events in Daytona and Brevard County, along with smaller local fundraisers. An event coordinator is preparing a full list for those interested in attending or supporting.
How to Help
The shelter encourages the public to get involved through:
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Volunteering time to assist with daily operations
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Fostering animals to ease shelter capacity
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Donating funds or supplies
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Adopting pets to provide permanent homes
Closing Note
By reaching out, the Edgewater Gazette helped spotlight the shelter’s mission and needs, amplifying its call for community support. The shelter’s message is clear: while challenges remain, collective action can ensure every animal receives the care and compassion they deserve.
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