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Tuesday 9am - 3pm Wednesday 9am - 3pm Thursday 9am - 3pm Friday 9am - 3pm Saturday 9am - 3pm Sunday 9am - 3pm

Donte's Den Foundation

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Myakka City, FL
Donte's Den Foundation

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Donte's Den is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal sanctuary and safe haven for dogs. We also offer boarding & daycare, adoptions and lifetime care.

Located on a 50-acre resort just NE of Sarasota. Donate to support our mission: https://bit.ly/DonateToTheDen Donte’s Den is about family. Years ago, my late husband, Don, and I began to wonder what would happen to our dogs when we were no longer able to care for them. Our dogs are such a part of our family that we wanted to make sure they would always be loved. That’s when we came up with the concept behind Donte’s Den — a community of joyful dogs. We started a nonprofit foundation and named it Donte’s Den after one of our beloved standard Schnauzers. Our mission is to care for homeless dogs in the same loving way we would care for our dear Donte. The dogs who will come to live at Donte’s Den have become homeless for several different reasons — their owner has passed away, entered a living care facility or deployed for service in the United States military. Abandoned dogs will also find a temporary home at Donte’s Den while we help them find a new loving family and forever home. Every dog in our care will receive the very best medical care and heartfelt personal attention. They will live on 50 acres of pristine Florida countryside in Myakka City — the perfect place for dogs to play, run, swim and enjoy just being a dog. Please explore our website and learn more about Donte’s Den. Then please consider donating or reserving a place at Donte’s Den for your dog. Make a donation at: https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/donate-to-dontes-den-animal-sanctuary

Donte’s Den is about family. We’d love to welcome you into ours.

~Marsha Panuce
Founder, Donte’s Den

DONATE AT: https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/donate-to-dontes-den-animal-sanctuary

11/13/2026

Putting Our Community's Dogs First

As a sanctuary, our primary focus is taking care of dogs within our community – whether the dog's owner is no longer able to care for them, or our area municipal shelters have special needs dogs who need assistance. Helping our community dogs also means sharing the adoptables available through other sources such as our local shelters and rescue groups.

Our founder and director, Marsha Panuce, has put the spotlight on adoptables for more than 15 years through her professional relationships with ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB. It's another reason Donte's Den Foundation is so important to the community and animal welfare.

Meet Jenna, an adoptable senior dog, available through Manatee County Animal Welfare. She has been at the shelter for two months. Jenna is a calm and happy girl, child-friendly and tolerates other calm dogs. She weighs in at around 50 pounds. As a 10-year-old dog, she is at her full growth weight, so no surprises there!

BTW, November is National Adopt A Senior Dog Month. 🎉🎉
Jenna is most likely mature enough to know the difference between a tennis ball and an expensive loafer. As a mature dog, she enjoys sleeping through the night just as much as you do.

Get a dog who gets you. Adopt Jenna.

Catch Jenna and Marsha on today's Pet of the Week during the noon news on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB. Look at her beautiful smile!

Summer Smith😍

11/10/2026

Thanks for Giving

Over the last 14 years, our quiet work has given hundreds of dogs a second chance; dogs who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused. We have pulled special needs dogs from municipal shelters; dogs who were hours away from being euthanized. We have helped people who were no longer able to care for their dogs. They had the foresight and compassion to make arrangements for their dogs through our Lifetime Care program. Planning for their dog’s future – just as they have for their other family members – brought them peace of mind.

Your love for dogs can be part of the legacy you leave behind. By including Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary in your estate plans, you will help us continue to care for our sanctuary dogs through every season of their lives.

An endowment to one of the Sanctuary’s programs will ensure the care of our dogs without burdening the owner. For example, our Semper Paw program houses dogs whose owners are being deployed. And, the Life Happens program lends a hand up to those dog owners who are experiencing temporary loss of housing. Think: a survivor of domestic violence, or someone whose home was destroyed by a hurricane or fire. We will house their dogs until their situation stabilizes.

In a year of so much loss and heartache, what better service can we offer than the opportunity to play a part in saving lives every day? Please join us. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a lasting difference in the dogs at our Sanctuary.

To donate, click the Zeffy link in our bio above.
Or, you may mail a check to
Donte's Den Foundation
6801 283rd St. E., Myakka City, FL 34251
Please call with any questions: 941.219.3730

Photo: Marsha Panuce, founder and director of Donte's Den Animal Sanctuary with Sugar, one of our Lifetime Care dogs.

11/10/2026

Thanks for Giving

Over the last 14 years, our quiet work has given hundreds of dogs a second chance; dogs who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused. We have pulled special needs dogs from municipal shelters; dogs who were hours away from being euthanized. We have helped people who were no longer able to care for their dogs. They had the foresight and compassion to make arrangements for their dogs through our Lifetime Care program. Planning for their dog’s future – just as they have for their other family members – brought them peace of mind.

Your love for dogs can be part of the legacy you leave behind. By including Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary in your estate plans, you will help us continue to care for our sanctuary dogs through every season of their lives.

An endowment to one of the Sanctuary’s programs will ensure the care of our dogs without burdening the owner. For example, our Semper Paw program houses dogs whose owners are being deployed. And, the Life Happens program lends a hand up to those dog owners who are experiencing temporary loss of housing. Think: a survivor of domestic violence, or someone whose home was destroyed by a hurricane or fire. We will house their dogs until their situation stabilizes.

In a year of so much loss and heartache, what better service can we offer than the opportunity to play a part in saving lives every day? Please join us. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a lasting difference in the dogs at our Sanctuary.

To donate, click the link in the comments below.
Or, you may mail a check to
Donte's Den Foundation
6801 283rd St. E., Myakka City, FL 34251
Please call with any questions: 941.219.3730

Photo: Marsha Panuce, founder and director of Donte's Den Animal Sanctuary with Sugar, one of our Lifetime Care dogs.

11/02/2026

We snagged the real Santa!

Reserve your spot today to have your dog's portrait with Santa photographed by the incomparable Anne Yarbrough Photography

Link to register is in our bio above.
Suggested donation: $35 per dog.

You'll receive a beautiful digital image, and the best feeling in the world knowing that 100% of your donation goes to care for our Lifetime Care dogs here at the sanctuary.

Visit our holiday themed welcome center. Holiday cheer, snacks and refreshments to be served. Homemade dog treats available to purchase from Wholesome Dog Treats By Melissa
Raffle baskets and giveaways.
Dog Bar Sarasota DOGPerfect | Locally Owned, Quality Pet Products The New Barker

11/02/2026

The 18th Annual Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest is history, but the memories made will be forever in our hearts. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success for Donte's Den Foundation. Your support helps to guarantee the Sanctuary dogs and farm animals will continue to be cared for. Special thanks to Darci and Pascone's Ristorante', and Soto's Optical Boutique, ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB's Bob Harrigan, Dog Bar Sarasota, Out & About Sarasota With Tyler Butler and THE NEW BARKER dog magazine.

10/29/2026

Do you have your dog's costume contest Dog-A-Ween Ready for this Saturday's Dog Parade and Contest at Sarasota Farmers Market? Thank you, Out & About Sarasota With Tyler Butler!

10/27/2026

We have two events coming up in which Donte's Den is the beneficiary. First: this Saturday, 10/31 – it's the 18th annual Dog-A-Ween Costume contest at the Sarasota Farmers Market. This is such a fun event. Check in is between 9a and 9:45 on Lemon Avenue near Whole Foods. Then at 10a, the Pet Parade goes through the Farmer's Market, ending at Paul Thorpe Park where the contest begins. Judges and prizes. All proceeds benefit Donte's Den Foundation. We'll see you there Destination Downtown Sarasota, Out & About Sarasota With Tyler Butler, Darci, and THE NEW BARKER.

Then – Save the Date: Saturday, December 5 – It's Photos With Santa at Donte's Den Foundation. Join us for holiday cheer and refreshments. Your dogs will be photographed by the amazing Anne Yarbrough Photography. Homeade dog treats by . Giveaways. Raffle Baskets, and more. All proceeds benefit the dogs at Donte's Den. Link to reserve your photo sitting time will be in comments below.

Help us help more dogs, all why having fun with your dogs.

10/23/2026

A little behind-the-scenes of today's Pet of the Week, here at the Sanctuary. Meet Rome, available through Akita Rescue and Rango, available for adoption through Donte's Den Foundation. Learn more about these two adorable adoptable pups, today, on the noon news at ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB.

We are so grateful for the support we receive from the ommunity. It enables us to continue helping dogs receive the care they need, and an opportunity for them to live out the rest of their days safely and well-loved. Hear more about the importance of a sanctuary like Donte's Den – and how we differ from a rescue group or shelter – on today's Petology report with our founder/director Marsha Panuce, also on ABC7 Sarasota.

10/16/2026

We'll Take Manhattan 🏙 Will You?

It's FriYAY! And that means we get to feature another adorable adoptable dog on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB Pet of the Week with our founder/director Marsha Panuce.

Check out this sweet potato. Her name is Manhattan, and she is at Manatee County Animal Welfare. Here is what we know about this gal. She is eight years-old and weighs in at a svelte 70 pounds. She was found as a stray and the call that came in to report her said that she showed up at someone's home with injuries to her feet. She was not walking well. It turns out her nails were so overgrown, they had curved back under into her paw pads. Her nails have been trimmed and she is walking just fine. 🎉🎉🎉

She is housebroken, met several other dogs at the shelter and has become buddies with everyone. Cool thing: she visited an assisted living facility, this week with one of our volunteers, and loved on everyone. Future therapy dog in the making here?

Catch Manhattan, today at noon on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB with Summer Smith. 💕

10/12/2026

Make sure you put a reminder in your calendar to catch this week's Animal Outtakes. In its 14th season, the educational program is produced by our founder/director Marsha Panuce. It airs Saturday on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB and WFLX FOX 29 in Palm Beach. It also streams on your streaming device as well as YouTube.

Address

6801 283rd Street E
Myakka City, FL
34251

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Thursday	9am - 3pm
Friday	9am - 3pm
Saturday	9am - 3pm
Sunday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+19412193730

Website

http://www.dontesden.org/

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