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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

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.

10/05/2026

Donte's Den is the beneficiary of a couple of fun events, this month. On October 21, join us at Pascone's Ristorante' for lunch and a fashion show hosted by Scout & Molly's.

Then, on October 31, join us at the Sarasota Farmers Market for the 18th annual Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest. This is the premier costume contest in the area, and the competition is pretty stiff. And the prizes for the winners are always phenomenal! We hope you're ready and can't wait to see you all there. Special thanks to Destination Downtown Sarasota, Darci, Out & About Sarasota With Tyler Butler, and Wet Noses Sarasota

SAVE THIS DATE: Photos With Santa on Saturday, December 5. Details to follow soon.

10/03/2026

Did you know that in addition to co-hosting Pet of the Week, every Friday on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB, our founder/director Marsha Panuce, co-hosts the new Petology show? Each Friday, just after Pet of the Week, Marsha talks about how to better care for our pets – from bathing to preventives to what's toxic in our yards. The link to various segments is in the comments section below.

And, every Saturday morning, Animal Outtakes airs on ABC7 as well as WFLX FOX 29. It's also available on streaming apps nationwide. The show, produced by Marsha Panuce, was renewed for its 14th season. Wait'll you see what's in store for viewers.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Animal Outtakes? Please call 941.219.3730.

10/02/2026

While it's safe to say dogs are at the heart of who we care for at Donte's Den Animal Sanctuary, our love for animals extends to all species. During a recent episode of Pet of the Week, our founder and director joined Summer Smith of ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB to feature some feathered friends. They were joined by Joy and Cassie.

Pet of the Week airs every Friday during the noon news. A link to the Birds of Paradise Sanctuary & Rescue segment is in the comments below.

09/29/2026

Our linen closet is threadbare which leaves us in dire need of towels for our dogs. Clean, gently-used is fine by us.

Can you help? If yes, please give us a heads-up phone call and we'll meet you at the Welcome Center. If you're in the area, and miss us, please leave them on our wooden bench on the Welcome Center porch.

Merle thanks you with a hundred tail womps 💕

Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakewood Ranch
DOGPerfect
Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Lakewood Ranch Dog Social Club
Sarasota Farmers Market
Dog Bar Sarasota

09/28/2026

We were invited by Temple Sinai, Sarasota, FL to be their special guest during their Blessing of the Animals. It was a joyful morning to be around so many kind and like minded people and their dogs.

Rabbi Cohen spoke about the Circle of Life and how animals are an integral part of that circle.

"Animals who depend on us should not be forgotten while we tend to our own comforts," said Rabbi Cohen. "Caring for another living being means noticing what they need even when we are busy, tired or distracted."

THE NEW BARKER editor, Anna Cooke, spoke about Donte's Den programs, including Life Time Care, Semper Paw, and Life Happens. The congregation collected a hefty donation of much-needed towels, treats and toys for our dogs. We are so grateful. 🥹

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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