It all started with a group of neighbors who simply wanted more for pets in our community.
In June 1960, with no local options available to support at-risk pets, a handful of Collier County residents came together with the expressed intention to build a “society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.” They made plans and pulled paper to formalize an organization for that sole purpose. Lois Marie House as our first president, alongside officers Myrtle Lieb, Merle Harris, and Shirley Shipton, and directors Colonel C.C. Carter, Dorothy W. Carter, Mary W. Morris, and Ernest W. Noyes formally incorporated the Humane Society of Naples. And thanks to Florida open records online, you can see a scan of that original 65-year-old article of incorporation document here.
Then came the storm. On September 10, 1960, Hurricane Donna tore through Naples, destroying homes and leaving families (and their pets) in crisis. In the aftermath, a local resident named Lori Keller found a tiny kitten on her doorstep. She was looking for a place to take a stray, injured, or abandoned animals and that place was Humane Society Naples. She did what neighbors do best. She took it in. And in the process became one of our organization’s most devoted early leaders, serving as our second president beginning in 1962 for the next ten years. Just like her origin story as a foster, one of the most formulating things that Lori would do would be to build a foundational foster program during her time as board president. That foster program would serve as the early backbone of the organization until a shelter could be built. Lori’s husband, architect Walter Keller, would work with City Manager Fred Lowdermilk to design, fund and plan that very thing. And in 1963, we would move into our very first shelter on airport property very close to where we remain today.
In the first few early years, volunteers would foster animals keeping them in their own homes and garages. It was that history and that legacy that would help define us as a “community” shelter, built and supported by our entire community who love animals and their pets. By the time the first shelter opened in 1963, it filled up almost immediately because so much of the community work was already in progress. Expansions would follow in 1965 and 1995, and culminated in the 2010 grand opening of our current main campus adoption facility and community clinic on Airport-Pulling Road.
Since then, we’ve help care for and find loving homes for more than 110,000 animals. In March 2025, a transformational gift from Patty and Jay Baker (the largest in our organization’s history) allowed us to become Patty Baker Humane Society Naples while continuing to carry a proud legacy of a community shelter that dates back more than 65 years. The Baker’s extraordinary generosity ensures our continued work in animal rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, and adoption services will thrive for generations to come.
We exist to better the lives of companion animals and the families who love them. That mission shapes every decision we make, from how we care for animals to how we serve our community. These commitments guide our work:
We ensure that homeless and at-risk pets have a safe place to receive shelter and care. We serve as a safety net for animals in need throughout our community, partnering with local agencies and neighboring shelters to extend our reach.
We believe pets belong at home, with their families. Research consistently shows that most pet surrenders stem from temporary crises like housing, finances, or access to care. We work with pet owners to connect them with resources that can help them keep their pets, because the best outcome is often keeping a family together.
We treat a shelter as a temporary stop, not a final destination. Our goal is to move animals into loving homes as quickly and safely as possible, because that’s where they thrive.
We assess each animal as an individual. From the moment an animal enters our care, they receive regular, consistent medical and behavioral evaluations based on industry-accepted best practices, so we can understand their needs and work toward the best possible outcome.
We address both physical and emotional wellbeing. Animals deserve not just to be alive, but to be well. We provide enrichment, veterinary care, and behavioral support to keep animals healthy in body and mind during their time with us.
We alleviate suffering and make thoughtful end-of-life decisions. When an animal is suffering from a terminal condition, severe mental decline, or presents a serious safety risk, humane euthanasia may be the most compassionate outcome. While PBHSN has always reserved this option, it is the last option after all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. PBHSN does not euthanize for space or length of stay.
We believe community safety and animal welfare go hand in hand. Responsible sheltering means caring for the animals in our building and for the families and communities they’ll join.
We lead with our hearts. That means making thoughtful, responsible decisions that prioritize compassionate care and quality of life for every animal, guided by industry best practices and expertise built over six decades of animal welfare leadership with a commitment to the best possible outcomes.
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Our practices are guided by professionally accepted best practices in shelter medicine and animal behavior, and we welcome open conversation about how we work to provide the best possible care.
