Our four-legged friends need your help
Together, we’re mending hearts
Pets change our lives. We’re on a quest to change theirs.
Mending Hearts Pet Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to giving vulnerable animals a fighting chance. We rescue medically needy, orphaned, injured, and at-risk animals from shelters and communities throughout Southwest Florida and help them find loving homes across the state.
Founded by an animal care professional with more than 18 years of experience, Mending Hearts provides each animal with compassionate, individualized care while preparing them for a safe and successful adoption.
How We Help
Animal Rescue
We help orphaned, injured, medically needy, and at-risk animals throughout Southwest Florida. Through established relationships with trusted local veterinary clinics and a dedicated foster network, we provide the care and support each animal needs to heal and thrive.
Fostering and Adoption
Every animal in our care lives in a loving foster home rather than a traditional shelter environment. Our foster families provide personalized care, comfort, socialization, and support while we search for the right permanent home.
Donate or Support
Even when you cannot adopt or foster, you can still help save a life. Sponsor an animal’s medical care, make a general donation, provide supplies, or support an upcoming fundraiser. Every contribution helps provide veterinary care, food, supplies, medications, and other lifesaving resources.
How You Can Help
There are countless ways to make a difference. Whether you give $5, donate supplies, foster an animal, or volunteer your time, your support changes lives. Mending Hearts Pet Rescue relies on the generosity of our community to keep animals safe, healthy, and loved.
Meet The Heart Behind It All
Kelly has spent more than 18 years working in animal care. In 2023, she transformed that experience and lifelong passion into Mending Hearts Pet Rescue.
Kelly specializes in caring for medically needy pets, including orphaned neonatal kittens, animals recovering from illness or injury, and pets who may otherwise be overlooked. She works closely with local veterinary clinics and foster families to ensure each animal receives the individualized care they need.
When there is an available foster home and an animal in need, Kelly does everything she can to find a way to say yes.
Mending Hearts is headquartered in North Port, Florida, but rescues animals from shelters and communities throughout Southwest Florida. Because the organization is foster-based, every animal receives personal care in a home environment while waiting for their forever family.
Kelly Nazario, Founder and Director
Let us help find your
perfect match!
From playful kittens and affectionate adult cats to dogs looking for a second chance, our adoptable animals are ready to become part of a loving family.
Browse our current adoptable pets, read their individual profiles, and submit an application when you find an animal who may be right for you. Our team carefully reviews each application and works to create the best possible match for both the animal and adopter.
Not sure which animal is right for you? You can also submit our general adoption application.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Mending Hearts Pet Rescue is a foster-based rescue. We do not operate a public shelter facility, and our animals live in volunteer foster homes. Approved applicants can meet animals through scheduled meet-and-greets or at community adoption events.
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Browse our available animals and select the pet you are interested in to begin the application process. You can also submit our general adoption application when you are unsure which pet may be the best match.
After reviewing your application, our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.
For adoption questions, email adoption@mhpetrescue.org.
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Absolutely. We frequently need kitten formula, wet and dry food, litter, crates, bedding, cleaning products, and other animal care supplies.
Please email donate@mhpetrescue.org to coordinate a donation.
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Mending Hearts Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through donations, animal sponsorships, grants, adoption fees, and fundraising activities. Contributions directly support the animals in our care.
Our EIN is 92-3371469.
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Yes. Although orphaned kittens and cats make up a significant portion of our work, we also rescue dogs and may help other animals when appropriate foster space and resources are available.
For general questions, email info@mhpetrescue.org.