A Round of Appaws

JUPITER, FL – June 27, 2017 – With its inception in 1985, The Humane Society of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta DBA Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic, and Ranch has carried dogs and cats of all ages and various breeds. Added to the rap sheet is a ranch in Palm City, dog surfing show (yes, you read that correctly) and Pick of the Litter Thrift & Boutique on Indiantown Road, where guests can shop and adopt. Aside from these accolades, Furry Friends manages to stand out from other shelters significantly.
 
For starters, Furry Friends’ veterinary clinic is not only full service, but is open to the public as well, not just for the adoptable animals at hand. The general care includes dental (non-anesthetic, twilight, and anesthetic), x-ray services, vaccines, surgery, nutritional counseling, laboratory, diagnostics, microchipping, laser therapy, and more. As if that wasn’t enough, there is also an online pharmacy available. Explains President Pat Deshong, “When you choose to bring your pet to Furry Friends’ veterinary clinic, not only are you giving them top notch wellness and medical care, you are also giving a chance to many homeless pets needing a future because clinic proceeds support our not-for-profit mission.”
 
The adoption center stands by the same high standard. Dubbed by Deshong as the “heartbeat of our organization”, it is open from Monday to Saturday from 11AM to 6PM. All animals are vaccinated, micro-chipped, sterilized, and behavior evaluated. Adoption fees prove to be on the affordable side, starting at $50 for cats and $125 for dogs. Senior citizens receive an even better bargain through the Senior-to-Senior program. Military veterans receive the same discount as well. »
“Furry Friends is about creating relationships that save the lives of pets and people. This is clearly demonstrated in our unique programs such as our Shelter-to-Service Dog™ program which matches wonderful, adoptable dogs we’ve saved from overcrowded, high-kill shelters with U.S. military veterans needing our help,” says Deshong, who also stated that a training process for dogs is put in place with the needs of the veteran in mind. “Phoenix, a terrier mix who went through his own challenges at the hands of humans, was saved by Furry Friends and is now a daily lifeline of hope to Corporal Derek Butler, a military veteran who suffers greatly from post traumatic stress disorder.

“Our Senior-to-Senior program matches senior animals with senior humans. Many times, seniors have lost their spouses and suffer from loneliness. Plus, many live on limited incomes. This program helps fill their hearts with furry companionship while simultaneously helping to remove some of the financial barriers to owning a pet.”
 
In addition to being the only shelter open to the public in northern Palm Beach County, it strictly implements a no-kill policy. “We are steadfast in our mission to rescue, rehome, and rehabilitate every animal that we rescue,” says Deshong. “Animals are euthanized for medical and humane reasons only and this is strictly enforced. If it is deemed necessary it must be approved by our management team including our board chairman. There are no exceptions.”
 
As for their ranch in Palm City, it spans about 27 acres. Through the gates is a 4,000-square-foot home for cats, who live cage free and have access to a screened porch. The pooches also have plenty of space, being permitted outdoor runs during the day. Five large play yards on-site exist where canines can also run and play. The four horses have equal roaming space with a newly renovated barn and pastures.

Their facility may be older than standard millennials, but in 2013, a recent change in management team and board of directors had improved the facility. Originally founded as The Humane Society of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta DBA Safe Harbor, the new board and management team took over the organization’s operation under its better known moniker today: Furry Friends, which became the DBA.

“There were serious financial issues and so a team of dedicated animal advocates, former board members, which included myself, and community business leaders joined together to keep the doors open and strengthen our mission to rescue animals,” says Deshong, who was originally executive director in April 2014 before being promoted to president. According to Deshong, the adoptions in the last two years saw an increase of over 300 percent. In 2016, about 800 animals were adopted. In addition, about 14,000 animals were treated in the clinic.

A new clinic and adoption center is in the works to be completed in mid to late 2018. Tactfully locating Furry Friends among other animal organizations in Jupiter Commerce Park, the new facility will be double the current size. Aside from improving living conditions for the animals, there will be an outdoor play yard as well as a designated space for pet education. The latter of the two will include both seminars and training courses.
 
You can catch Furry Friends at the third annual Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic. Taking place on Saturday, August 26 at the Carlin Park Civic Center and Beach, it features dogs on surfboards. Aside from canines hanging ten, there will be live music, vendors, and more.