Gulf Coast Humane Society

?? **Join Our Team** ?? At the heart of every thriving animal shelter lies a dedicated **Volunteer Coordinator**—a pivotal role that ensures both animals and volunteers receive the support they need. Here’s why this position is so crucial: - **Connecting People and Animals:** Volunteer Coordinators bridge the gap between community members and the shelter, recruiting and training passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. - **Providing Education:** They oversee humane education programs, teaching the community about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying/neutering, which ultimately leads to fewer animals in shelters. - **Boosting Volunteer Engagement:** By recognizing and celebrating volunteer contributions, they foster a sense of community and commitment among volunteers, ensuring that everyone feels valued and motivated. - **Enhancing Operational Efficiency:** With their organizational skills, Volunteer Coordinators optimize volunteer schedules, making sure that every shift is covered and that each volunteer is utilized effectively, allowing paid staff to focus on critical care tasks. In short, a Volunteer Coordinator plays an indispensable role in shaping a positive environment for both animals and their human advocates. If you’re passionate about animal welfare and community service, consider supporting or becoming a Volunteer Coordinator at your local shelter! ?????? #AnimalShelter #VolunteerCoordinator #AnimalWelfare #MakeADifference

Lee County, Florida has announced additional shelters opening at noon yesterday in advance of the approach of Hurricane Milton. The open shelters include: Alico Arena - 12181 FGCU Lake Parkway East, Fort Myers Island Coast High School - 2125 DeNavarra Pkwy., Cape Coral East Lee County High School - 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres Estero Recreation Center - 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero Dunbar High School - 30 Edison Ave., Fort Myers Harns Marsh Elementary School - 1800 Unice Ave. N, Lehigh Acres Harns Marsh Middle School - 1820 Unice Ave. N, Lehigh Acres Hertz Arena - 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero Gateway High School - 13820 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers Oak Hammock Middle School - 5321 Tice St., Fort Myers Tortuga Elementary - 1711 Gunnery Road N, Lehigh Acres Treeline Elementary - 10900 Treeline Ave., Fort Myers Varsity Lakes Middle School - 801 Gunnery Road N, Lehigh Acres All shelters are pet-friendly. Pet owners are responsible for pet food and medications and should have all animals on a leash or in a crate. Additional information: If you’re heading to one of Lee County’s shelters, you need to bring a Go Kit. Include a three-day supply of food, water and snacks. You’ll also need a pillow and sleeping bag; folding chair; medications and eyeglasses; disinfectant wipes; toilet paper; a three-day supply of clothing; a sleep mask and earplugs; hygiene items; games or books; a phone charger or battery bank; and instant coffee or teabags. Pets are allowed in all Lee County shelters, but you’re responsible for bringing what they need. Pack your pet a Go Kit. Make sure there’s a collar, leash and ID tags. Have a photo of you with your pet in case you become separated. Bring a crate or pet carrier. Include a week’s worth of water; food and treats; clean-up supplies including waste bags for dogs and litter box with litter for cats; remember any medicine your pet needs. You can find out more about preparation at leegov.com/storm. #HurricaneMilton #SWFLstrong #WeLoveOurPets #BeSafe #BePrepared

Lee County, Florida has announced additional shelters opening at noon yesterday in advance of the approach of Hurricane Milton. The open shelters include: Alico Arena - 12181 FGCU Lake Parkway East, Fort Myers Island Coast High School - 2125 DeNavarra Pkwy., Cape Coral East Lee County High School - 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres Estero Recreation Center - 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero Dunbar High School - 30 Edison Ave., Fort Myers Harns Marsh Elementary School - 1800 Unice Ave. N, Lehigh Acres Harns Marsh Middle School - 1820 Unice Ave. N, Lehigh Acres Hertz Arena - 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero Gateway High School - 13820 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers Oak Hammock Middle School - 5321 Tice St., Fort Myers Tortuga Elementary - 1711 Gunnery Road N, Lehigh Acres Treeline Elementary - 10900 Treeline Ave., Fort Myers Varsity Lakes Middle School - 801 Gunnery Road N, Lehigh Acres All shelters are pet-friendly. Pet owners are responsible for pet food and medications and should have all animals on a leash or in a crate. Additional information: If you’re heading to one of Lee County’s shelters, you need to bring a Go Kit. Include a three-day supply of food, water and snacks. You’ll also need a pillow and sleeping bag; folding chair; medications and eyeglasses; disinfectant wipes; toilet paper; a three-day supply of clothing; a sleep mask and earplugs; hygiene items; games or books; a phone charger or battery bank; and instant coffee or teabags. Pets are allowed in all Lee County shelters, but you’re responsible for bringing what they need. Pack your pet a Go Kit. Make sure there’s a collar, leash and ID tags. Have a photo of you with your pet in case you become separated. Bring a crate or pet carrier. Include a week’s worth of water; food and treats; clean-up supplies including waste bags for dogs and litter box with litter for cats; remember any medicine your pet needs. You can find out more about preparation at leegov.com/storm. #HurricaneMilton #SWFLstrong #WeLoveOurPets #BeSafe #BePrepared

We wanted to take a moment to recognize our amazing team of staff and volunteers taking care of our shelter animals and preparing our shelter for Hurricane Milton. Thank you for being so passionate and compassionate about animals and our community. #SWFLstrong

Are you passionate about animal welfare and looking to make a difference? We are excited to announce an opening for a Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator?at Gulf Coast Humane Society! At GCHS, we believe that teamwork makes the dream work. Our amazing team is dedicated to creating a positive impact in the lives of animals and the community we serve. As our Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a talented group of individuals who share your passion and commitment to animal welfare. In this role, you will: - Develop and implement creative marketing strategies to raise awareness for our mission - Manage social media campaigns and engage with our community - Collaborate on fundraising initiatives and events - Help tell the stories of the animals we serve through compelling content If you’re ready to bring your creativity and enthusiasm to a supportive environment where your ideas are valued, we want to hear from you! https://lnkd.in/eMeKeFbW

Have you ever thought about fostering a dog in need? Now is your chance. We have several moms with their puppies who need to be fostered for varying lengths of time (2 - 6 weeks). The litter of puppies with their mom needs to stay together. We have four sets of moms and puppies so we need four foster families. If you want to explore becoming a foster family to a mom and her puppies, contact [email protected]. A bit more information... The dogs and their puppies come from a rural county in north Florida. The municipal shelter reached out to us to help them. We need the community's help to foster these sweet dogs and their puppies. Will you answer this plea? #SouthwestFlorida

We are so grateful to Lee County Mosquito Control District! Their donation drive will fill our Pet Food Pantry and help pets in our community. Thank you! If your business or organization would like to organize a pet food drive to help feed pets who are food insecure, please contact our Development Director, Lori Burke, at [email protected].

GCHS SAVES 18 SHELTER DOGS AND TWO KITTENS FROM HURRICANE-STRICKEN LIVE OAK ANIMAL SERVICES. GCHS welcomed 14 adult dogs, four puppies, and two kittens to our shelter from the Live Oak Animal Services in Suwannee County, Florida. The municipal shelter sustained damage from Hurricane Debby earlier in the week and subsequently had to evacuate their shelter pets. The transport, organized and sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation, arrived Tuesday evening. We thank BISSELL Pet Foundation for their action in helping save these shelter dogs from the disaster left behind in the wake of Hurricane Debby. To our surprise, we found two kittens on the transport bus and wondered about them because they were not listed on the transport log. Amanda, a Hope On Wheels staff member, said there were two black kittens who hung out on the shelter grounds with the dogs. When they were organizing the shelter dogs on the bus, the two kittens jumped on the bus. It was clear they were going wherever their canine friends went. They are now comfortable at GCHS!! We received significant help when we needed it after Hurricane Ian and we are so grateful to pay it forward now that another shelter needs help. It’s this kind of cooperation between shelter partners that saves many lives! How You Can Help: Adopt: Open your heart and home to one of these rescued dogs. Give them the love and safety they deserve. The dogs, puppies, and kittens will be up for adoption soon, keep updated by visiting our website https://lnkd.in/exSiFtm8. Donate: We are able to provide lifesaving shelter, food, and medical care for the dogs and cats rescued from the storm because of donations from folks like you. Please help us help more animals. Donate today at: https://lnkd.in/eHj37d4B

We are grateful and humbled to be awarded the Nonprofit Excellence Award at the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Awards last night. We wish to also congratulate our fellow finalists: Harry Chapin Food Bank and Boys & Girls Club of Lee County.

We have many partners to achieve our quest to care for dogs and cats until they find their forever families. We are grateful for our partners at Clewiston Animal Control and WINK NEWS. Watch this impactful story that demonstrates just how special our Southwest Florida community is. https://lnkd.in/e2rwtC2B