County Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week

Hillsborough County Animal Services is celebrating Be Kind To Animals Week with a roster of special activities. All events on May 2-7 encourage compassion and respect for all animals through responsible pet ownership and education.
 
Be Kind To Animals Week in Hillsborough County will offer teachable moments and memorable experiences about humane welfare and volunteerism. Events will range from shelter dog-training classes to field trips for local students to Scouts delivering donations. 

 All listed Be Kind To Animals Week activities take place at Hillsborough County Animal Services, 440 N. Falkenburg Road in Tampa, except as noted:
 
Monday, May 2
9 to 11 a.m.
Volunteer Dog Training Class and Canine Good Citizenship 

Tuesday, May 3
10:30 a.m. to noon
Sixth-graders will drop off a banner and meet Animals Services officers 

Wednesday, May 4
9 a.m.
The Basenji Rescue and Transport, aka BRAT, will make a presentation to Animal Services on the second-floor boardroom of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa
 
Wednesday, May 4
5  to 7 p.m.
Volunteer Dog Training Class and Canine Good Citizenship
 
Thursday, May 5
5 to 6 p.m.
A Scout tour and meet-the-vet session
 
Friday, May 6
10 a.m.  to 6 p.m.
Children are invited to color a cat and meet the Animal Services' ambassador 

Saturday, May 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Animal Services' Mobile Adoption RV will be at the Upper Tampa Bay Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa
 
Residents can also be kind to animals by donating items such as clean towels, canned pet food and funds for the medical needs of injured and abused pets. Coin drives are popular activities for kids and clubs. 
 
Another way residents can do their part to celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week is by becoming a transition-foster home for needy shelter pets. Applications will be available at the Upper Tampa Bay Library event May 7. Teens 16 years of age and older, with parental permission, can even earn Bright Futures hours through the program.
 
Residents can also volunteer to work at the animal shelter. Applications will be available at the Upper Tampa Bay Library event May 7 as well as an upcoming volunteer orientation at Animal Services Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Reservations for the shelter session are requested as seating is limited.
 
For further information, contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660, or log onto www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices.