Donte's Den Foundation

09/04/2026

Meet A Shining Star

Bailey will be our special guest, today, on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB Pet of the Week with our founder/director Marsha Panuce. Bailey is a three-year-old American Staffordshire mix and weighs around 41 pounds (sorry to kiss and tell, Bailey). She loves people and enjoys going on walks. She is sweet and affectionate, and ready to go home with someone special. Catch her best side, in just a bit on TV.

Then, stay tuned, as Marsha brings another edition of Petology. Today's subject: why has the diagnosis of heartworm disease increased by 201% over the last five years? 🧐⁉

09/02/2026

Let the Planning Begin
Two Dates. One Cause: Donte's Den Foundation

DOG-A-WEEN
Saturday, October 31 is the 13th Annual Dog-A-Ween Parade and Costume Contest, hosted by Destination Downtown Sarasota. It will be held, as always, at the Sarasota Farmers Market. The contest takes place after the dog parade, and will be judged with some super prizes. All proceeds will benefit Donte's Den Foundation.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Saturday, December 5, Santa is coming to town and will make a special appearance at Donte's Den. The incomparable Anne Yarbrough Photography is donating her talent and service to Donte's Den. We'll have food, beverages and plenty of coffee. A specialty Holiday Bazaar onsite to help motivate your holiday shopping spirit with some dog-centric artisans.

Interested in being a vendor? We have a couple of spots remaining. Please email [email protected] and put Holiday Bazaar in the subject line. More fun details to follow in the next week, leading up to this event.

08/28/2026

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day to remember the pets who have passed through our lives and given us so much as a result. We honor our Sanctuary's namesake, Donte.

Please share a photo and a thought about a pet who came into your life in the comments below.

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

We're a little late to the party, recognizing National Dog Day, but we have a really good reason. We've been pampering all of our Lifetime Dogs, giving them the extra love and attention they so deserve. Dogs like our senior diva, Maddie.

As a sanctuary, we are commited to the care of every dog at Donte's Den Foundation for the rest of their lives. That care includes all medical, preventives, food, treats, enrichment, supplments, and lots of love and attention.

08/21/2026

Our darling diva, Akira, is going to be featured on today's Pet of the Week on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB noon news. Watch her in action with our founder/director Marsha Panuce and television anchor Summer Smith. Then stay tuned in as Summer and Marsha discuss the dangers of the Cane Toad, also known as the Bufo. You'll find out how to help your dogs avoid them and what to do if yoour dogs come in contact with one.

Donte's Den Foundation continues to go beyond our own Sanctuary to help other rescue groups and shelters across Florida. Marsha has been doing Pet of the Week every Friday for 15+ years. So important is this mission to her, Marsha insisted on keeping Pet of the Week going through the 2020 pandemic, meeting outdoors with an adoptable shelter pet and a cameraman.

Thank you to our supporters and donors who help keep the mission of Donte's Den Animal Sanctuary going. We are often the only answer when it comes to saving a senior dog or special needs dog.

What will happen to your pets when you are no longer able to care for them? It's a tough question to ask ourselves. Through our Lifetime Care program, we offer a sense of relief to pet parents when that time comes.

08/18/2026

We love our partners. Thank you to DOGPerfect, Florida Studio Theatre, and THE NEW BARKER for helping Donte's Den Foundation continue our mission of caring for dogs in-need at the Sanctuary.

08/13/2026

Where there's a will, there's a way.....a way to honor your dogs...a way to protect your dog's future...a way to leave a legacy...a way to help abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs.

August Is National Make-A-Will Month.
Help support our mission at Donte's Den Animal Sanctuary by creating a legacy of love with a planned gift. Please consider including Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in your will.

For more information, please call 941.219.3730 or email [email protected]. As always, thank you for caring.

08/10/2026

Awareness. That's what the Petology segment with Marsha Panuce and Summer Smith is all about. This past Friday's segment featured plants in our Florida landscape that are toxic and may be fatal to our dogs.

🐾 Did you know some common plants in our Florida yards can be dangerous, even deadly, to our pets? Sago palms, oleanders and several other plants can be toxic to dogs.

Marsha Panuce from Donte’s Den joined us on ABC 7 News at Noon for Petology to talk about what pet owners should watch for and what to do if your pet eats something it shouldn't.

🐶 Watch our conversation: video link in the comments. ⬇️

08/03/2026

Today, August 3, Is National Senior Pet Day

Many of the dogs in our Lifetime Care program are older dogs, like Bentley, here. Some of them may move slower. Some have graying muzzles. They are all safe at Donte's Den Foundation, a Sanctuary for dogs whose owners are no longer able to care for them.

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your dogs should something happen to you? Whether it's a temporary situation – hospital, recovery, rehab – we'll take care of your dogs. Perhaps it's a permanent situation such as someone going into an assisted living facility. We're here to help ease the burden by ensuring their dogs will be well cared for and loved for the rest of their lives.

The thing is, it's not something everyone thinks about since we all think we're going to live forever and certainly without anything catastrophic happening to us. Like an insurance policy: we don't plan for anything bad to happen to us, but we prepare for it, just in case.

Life happens, and Donte's Den is a Sanctuary – a safe haven – that steps in to help. If you have a family member facing a similar situation, let's talk. We'll work in concert with your attorney or estate planner. To learn more about our programs, how to plan and possibly set up something tailored to fit your needs, please call us at 941.219.3730 and ask about our Lifetime Care program. Or email us at [email protected] and put Lifetime Care in the subject line.

In the meantime, give your senior dog an extra hug tonight and appreciate the moment. 💕