Welcome to Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County

Friends make happy, healthy animals, and it takes a whole community to make it happen. Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County brings people, resources and a whole lot of heart together to improve the lives of pets throughout Hancock County.

Our Mission

Friends of the Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2001 by a small group of concerned citizens seeking to end euthanasia as a means of controlling for pet overpopulation in Hancock County.

Our mission is to: (1) mobilize our community to support the Hancock County Animal Shelter, (2) expand access to spay and neuter services for dogs and cats, and (3) improve the overall health and welfare of animals throughout Hancock County.

About Us

Meet Our Board

How We Help

We improve the lives of animals and families throughout the county through spay and neuter assistance, medical care, community education, and resources for the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

Together, these programs help pets, the people who care for them, and the community as a whole.

Our Programs

Your Support in Action

We’re friends of the shelter — not the shelter itself.

Friends of the Animal Shelter is an independent nonprofit that supports the Hancock County Animal Shelter through funding, programs, resources and volunteers. We work alongside the shelter, but we do not own or operate it.

With that said, one of the best ways you can support our mission is by adopting or fostering a pet. The Hancock County Animal Shelter has some pretty wonderful dogs and cats waiting to meet you.

See Adoptable Pets in Hancock County

Contact the Hancock County Shelter

Become a Friend — Get Involved

Being a Friend of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County is easy and fun. Here are a few ways you can support our mission — you'll notice there's more than one way to make tails wag around here!

Attend an Event

From our annual Pup Crawl to the Holiday Home Tour, we put the fun in fundraisers. Members get discounts!

See Upcoming Events

Donate

Make a one-time or recurring tax-deductible donation to support our programs and efforts.

Make a Donation

Be a Sponsor

Sponsors help fund programs, services and resources while giving you powerful advertising opportunities.

Be a Sponsor

Become a Member

Join us as a member, giving you volunteer opportunities, member perks and a voice for our animals.

Become a Member

Volunteer

Lend a hand at our events, meet great people and help improve the lives of local animals. It's a lot of fun!

Learn About Volunteering

Shop

Shop Friends merchandise to show your support and invovlement. Members get discounts on events and merch!

Shop Our Swag

Adopt a Pet

Although you do this with the shelter directly, this is one of the most impactful moves you can make.

See Pets Available in Hancock

Leave a Legacy

Leave a lasting legacy by including us in your estate plans. We have an estate specialist you can speak with.

Contact Us

In the News

PAWFEST | OCTOBER 21, 2026

Five dogs are adopted at PawFest, including by one of our own Board members

See Adoptable Hancock Pets

PEOPLE | OCTOBER 2, 2026

Hancock County rescue dog wins award for his heroic post-adoption career

Read Story

WLOX | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Hancock County moves forward with plans for new animal shelter

Read Story

WXXV | SEPTEMBER 5, 2026

‘Fixed for Life’ program receives grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Read Story

SEA COAST ECHO | JUNE 11, 2026

Bay Council honors Friends of the Animal Shelter for 25 years of service

Read Story

Pet Gallery

We’re obviously all about animals, so let's all celebrate the pets who make our lives better every day!

Visit our Pet Gallery to meet some of the adorable animals in our community, and add your own furry family members, too.

We also invite you to honor pets who are no longer with us by sharing them in our In Memoriam section, because they'll always have a place in our hearts.

Show Me Cuteness!

Let's Connect

Have a question, need support for an animal, or would like to make a donation? We've got you covered. Simply fill out the form below or email us at friends@friendsoftheanimalshelter.org

Make a Donation

Become a Member