Would You Send a Quick Email to Save Hundreds of Dogs? This Dog Rescue Needs Your Help Today!

Animal lovers are often asked to use their voice to speak up for animals that can’t speak for themselves. This is one of those times.

Canine Estates, a small dog rescue and sanctuary located in Pinellas County, Florida is at risk of being forced to close their doors, leaving dozens of dogs that currently call the sanctuary home, along the hundreds, even thousands more they could save in the future, without hope.

Canine Estates isn’t just a shelter.

They’re a rescue – for hundreds of small dogs every year. Canine Estates is frequently called upon by area shelters, hospice care centers, police departments, and even residents of the county that can no longer provide for their dogs. The rescue is treasured by their community for the incredible efforts they take to save lives.

They’re a rehabilitation center – for the dogs that no one else will save. The old dogs, the sick dogs, the dogs that are going to require a lot of time, money, and tender loving care to survive. Dogs rescued from the streets starving and neglected, sick dogs dumped at county shelters that would otherwise be euthanized, and dogs saved from years of abuse that need time to learn to trust all call Canine Estates their home.

Just look at Freedom’s story. Four different veterinarians told Canine Estates to euthanize her. They never gave up.

They’re a sanctuary – for the dogs that no one else stepped up to help. Canine Estates cares for dozens of dogs that will live out the remainder of their lives being loved, pampered, and spoiled – in a beautiful home setting – not a cold, hard kennel.

They’re a support system – for other rescues and shelters across the state that may not have the resources they need. Whenever they can help a dog in need, even at another shelter, they will.

Also unlike other rescues, Canine Estates does not have a shelter that’s open to the public. All of the 501(c)(3) rescue’s adoptable dogs live in home settings, where they’re loved like family, until they find their forever homes. While many are with foster families, up to 25 dogs at a time live together in a rescue-owned home on 1.7 acres in beautiful Palm Harbor, Florida where they snuggle with caretakers on the couch, watch TV, eat healthy meals prepared for them individually, are walked daily, groomed weekly, and enjoy the life that EVERY dog should be so lucky to have. And, every night the adored dogs are tucked into their beds knowing that a loving human is just steps away.

When someone expresses interest in adopting a Canine Estates dog, they must fill out an application, face a background check, a home check, and a meet-and-greet either at the rescue’s separate adoption facility or in the potential adopter’s home – never at the sanctuary.

But now, after providing a safe and loving home for adoptable dogs in the same location for 7 years, Canine Estates is facing a zoning dispute that could force the rescue and sanctuary to close for good. This is where YOU can help!

“We are fighting to keep our doors open. Fighting against our neighbors who have led the county to believe we are operating an illegal ‘kennel’. The location at Pine Hill is not a business, or kennel, or breeding kennel or whatever the neighbors are calling it. It is simply a home. A safe place for these unwanted dogs to lay their heads, have a good meal and enjoy some company from our amazing volunteers. This is also the in-between place where these dogs become ready for their forever home. We conduct our business and adoptions at a different location but no one seems to hear us.”

The Canine Estates home was purchased specifically with its current use in mind. It is located in an unincorporated area of Pinellas County and zoned for residential-agricultural use. Meaning, raising livestock on the property would be acceptable. Housing roosters and chickens would be ignored. Putting up a cell tower; even running a daycare center out of the home would not be questioned. But, providing a loving home for no more than 25 dogs is a potential issue?

“We need your help in being heard. Please take a quick moment to send an email to the Pinellas County Commissioners TODAY. If a conditional use permit is not approved on June 5, we will have to close down.”

Your subject line should be “Canine Estates conditional use permit.” Simply tell the Board of Adjustments why you believe Canine Estates should continue to operate and to grant the permit.

Send emails to:

[email protected]
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And, copy your email to [email protected] so the rescue can see how many dog lovers support them.

And, any Pinellas County and surrounding area supporters, please join us on June 5, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., at the public hearing in the County Commission Chambers of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals located at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, where the board will hear the application for the conditional use permit.