By LOIS KINDLE
lekindle@aol.com
The Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is waiving all adoption fees through Aug. 31 as part of NBCUniversal’s nationwide Clear the Shelters campaign. Launched in 2015, the annual effort has helped facilitate more than 1 million pet adoptions and raised millions for shelters across the country. This year’s 12th annual event is co-hosted by Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
As of the morning of Aug. 8, the PRC had 279 dogs and puppies and 190 cats and kittens in its shelter, all waiting for a place to call home. The center is over capacity and inviting neighbors county wide to check its online kennel or stop by the shelter Monday through Saturday.
Pinto, an American Staffordshire Terrier, seen here enjoying the PRC garden, was found in Plant City more than nine months ago and has been a resident ofthe shelter ever since. He’s a friendly, playful and goofy guy who loves toys, fetches, sits and stays, takes treats gently and comes when called. He’s more than ready for his forever home.
"We look forward to every event we have to find our animals forever homes, especially Clear the Shelter," said Morgan Burnette, volunteer services senior supervisor. More than 600 pets were adopted during last year’s month-long event."
Now’s an ideal time to bring a new family member home. Hillsborough County residents who adopt a pet though Aug. 31 receive a host of benefits in addition to the waived adoption fee: a rabies tag — if the pet is four months or older; an age-appropriate combination vaccination for protection against respiratory, intestinal and organ-damaging infections; spaying or neutering; heartworm test; microchipping; and a county tag.
While supplies last, adopters also get a free swag bag for their dog or cat.
The PRC shelters dogs of all breeds and sizes — from Chihuahuas to Great Danes — and cats of all types. Between 10% and 20% of them are seniors who find it especially difficult to live in a shelter environment.
Through a partnership with the Best Friends Animal Society, the PRC is able to ensure live outcomes for at least 90% of its animals. In July that outcome was 92%. The shelter does not euthanize animals for space. It’s always considered a last resort.
Another community adoption opportunity is the PRC’s Splish Splash Adoption Bash, Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be at the PRC and include food trucks, swag bags, pet play groups, special pet enrichment activities and more. The event is designed for families, neighbors and prospective adopters to meet pets in a relaxed setting. All pets are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped. Adoption fees will be waived. Check out the
Joe Joe, an 8-year-old tabby-colored domestic short hair cat, was surrendered to the PRC 45 days ago after one of his owners died and the other could no longer care for him.
shelter’s adoptable pets at https://bit.ly/3HKygyr.
The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, is always in need of additional volunteers, foster families and cash donations.
"We love our volunteers," Burnette said. "They help us with everything from walking dogs and providing enrichment activities for both dogs and cats to washing dishes and doing laundry,. We have shifts as short as one hour and up to three or four."
For more information, call 813-301-7387, email petinfo@hcfl.gov or visit https://hcfl.gov/residents/animals-and-pets or www.Facebook.com/PRCpets/.