Published: January 28, 2026
Abandoned Pet Rescue has become a cornerstone of animal welfare in Fort Lauderdale, but its roots stretch back nearly 30 years. What began as a small group of women working to humanely trap, neuter and care for feral cats, has grown into a large, multifaceted rescue organization. Today, as one of the only no-kill shelters in South Florida, the mission remains the same: to save animals, reduce overpopulation and place pets into loving forever homes.
One longtime advocate with the organization, Kara Starzyk, spent years volunteering and fostering before making animal welfare her full-time vocation. “I just decided to transition to another passion of mine, which is animal welfare,” she said. Her decision reflects the spirit of Abandoned Pet Rescue, where volunteers confront the realities of pet abandonment every day. On average, as many as 30 people attempt to drop off a pet each day, underscoring the severity of the issue in South Florida.
Despite the challenges, the reward comes from successful adoptions. “You feel really good about getting into a forever placement,” she explained. Much of that satisfaction revolves around how hard it is to match pets with home. “There’s a common misconception that they come with trauma or health issues, which is just wrong,” she said. “Many of them come from happy homes where circumstances have changed for whatever reason.”
Education is a major part of the rescue’s work. They stress the importance of research before adopting; what kind of exercise, diet, environment and veterinary care is needed. Locally, a strong network of organizations collaborates to help both pets and potential owners. Broward County Animal Care offers spay and neuter vouchers, http://www.purrr.org provides grants for neutering feral cats, the Humane Society of Broward County offers low-cost veterinary care, and The Pet Project supplies pet food for families in need. “There’s so many organizations that are trying to work together to help people who are struggling,” she said.
Animal overpopulation remains a challenge. “It’s probably our number one issue down here,” she noted. With no winter season, cats breed year-round and backyard breeding adds to the crisis, as some people mistakenly believe they can make money selling puppies. There are also persistent myths about the health effects of spaying and neutering, despite overwhelming evidence of their benefits.
However, progress is being made. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Animal Crimes Unit launched about a year ago. “I’m really grateful for them stepping up and trying to make a difference in our community,” she said.
For those unable to adopt, fostering is powerful way to help. Even something as simple as sharing adoptable pets on social media can save lives. You can learn more about adoption or fostering at http://www.abandonedpetrescue.org.