Monday, October 8, 2012
Find out how to adopt a pet.
Hillsborough County Animal Services invites the public to "fly in" on Saturday, Oct. 20 for the annual Cats, Bats & Bones bash. This day of Halloween fun and pet adoption runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the county shelter located at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa. Offerings include unconditional love, kid contests, and real, live bat chats! Children attending Cats, Bats & Bones can come dressed for the kids costume parade, enter the "meow off" contest, and decorate the shelter with artwork from the creative coloring station. In addition to adorable faces and tail-wagging deals, Cats, Bats & Bones celebrates the season with an appearance by Bat Belfrys, Inc. of Merritt Island. The non-profit organization is making a special stop in …
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The task force will study ways to reduce the number of dogs and cats that are killed at Hillsborough County Animal Services.
Charged with finding ways to reduce the number of animals euthanized at the Hillsborough County animal shelter, the newly created Animal Services Task Force will hold its first meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the 26th Floor Conference Rooms A and B at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa. Reacting to charges from animal welfare groups that Hillsborough County Animal Services is euthanizing too many dogs and cats at its facility at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, in May the Hillsborough County Commission called for the creation of the task force to study ways to reduce the number of euthanized animals. Now, with a new Animal Services director, Ian Hallett, on the job, the task force is …
Friday, August 24, 2012
Animal services officials say get ready as soon as possible.
Early next week, Tampa Bay could be slammed with a hurricane. This comes only weeks after Tropical Storm Debby caused flooding and structural damage in June. With that in mind, animal experts in Hillsborough County say now is the time to make preparations for pets before Isaac arrives. Carol Childs, founder of the National Humane Society at 4039 Gunn Highway in Carrollwood, often cares for animals after natural disasters. She said having a plan in place before a tropical storm or hurricane hits is crucial. "Pet owners need to know where shelters are," she said. "I'd rather have a plan and not need it than need it and not have a plan. A common mistake pet owners make is putting animals in wire cages, Childs said. "They are better off in the…
Monday, August 20, 2012
Hillsborough County Animal Services will conduct disaster training for volunteers to assist at pet-friendly evacuation shelters;
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, August 20, 2012
News Report As the height of hurricane season approaches, Hillsborough County Animal Services will conduct disaster training for volunteers to assist at pet-friendly evacuation shelters in the event of an emergency, such as a hurricane. A two-hour exercise is planned for Saturday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at the county shelter, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa. Officers from Hillsborough County Animal Services will demonstrate emergency sheltering procedures, such as the citizen/pet check-in process, quick construction of stackable cages, and scanning of micro-chips. Attendees need only wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing, and the training is expected to last less than two hours. Able-bodied volunteers who enjoy helping neighbors can …
Monday, August 13, 2012
Ian Hallett comes to Hillsborough County from the Austin Animal Services where he saved 90 percent of the animals under the shelter's care.
Just two months on the job, Ian Hallett, the county's new director of Animal Services is busy getting acquainted with the staff of Animal Services as well as the animal rescue groups and veterinarians that work closely with the county agency. A Riverview native, he said he began working with animals at the age of 16 as a veterinary technicial at the Riverview Veterinary Hospital. Hallett is a 1995 graduate of the International Baccalaureate Program at Hillsborough High School. He went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in biology and economics from the New College of Florida, and his master's degree in public policy from the University of Texas at Austin. Hallett is intimately familiar with the issues and concerns facing animal rescue agencies…
Monday, July 23, 2012
"Watching the rescue dogs that have come through my house, I have to say that for a while I feel they remember the bad things, but when they are around good things, the bad tends to fade away."
How many of you have seen the YouTube videos of dogs welcoming their owner’s home from the military? I cry almost every time I see them. As I watched one today, I saw another titled "Reunited After 3.5 Years!" Joplin, the dog, seems so excited and happy to see its owner. The video indicated that the owner had been incarcerated, but it is OK, it doesn’t really matter. After watching, I wondered if they remember everything, or choose to remember only the things they want. Watching the rescue dogs that have come through my house, I have to say that for a while I feel they remember the bad things, but when they are around good things, the bad tends to fade away. For an example, I have told you about my old foster Baxter that would hide …
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Animal Services will host a Fourth of July adoption event.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, July 4, 2012
News Report On Wednesday, July 4, the public is invited to the county animal shelter for flag-waving fun, including adoptions at 50 percent off. Flags & Fur 'Til 4 will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 440 N. Falkenburg Road in Tampa. The red, white and blue bash for shelter pets will feature patriotic pack members and purr-fect patriots at half price. Adoption fees include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchip, veterinary health check up, Hillsborough County pet registration tag, and a free goodie bag. Prospective adopters need only bring valid photo ID and proof of address. Cash and credit cards are accepted, and many animals will be ready to go home the same day. Newl yarrived Director of Animal Services Ian Hallett found …
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hillsborough County Animal Services offers tips for pets during fireworks celebrations and family picnics.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012
News Report While fireworks may be fun for Fourth of July celebrants, they can be a nightmare for pets. The loud noises and unpredictable flashes from fireworks can frighten even the most docile pets. Hillsborough County Animal Services offers the following safety tips:
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Find out how to help your furry friends during tropical storms and hurricanes
Thousands of Tampa Bay residents are coping with a loss of power, flooded streets and sinkholes due to Tropical Storm Debby. And some of those residents have more to think about than themselves. For pet owners, a natural disaster like a tropical storm or hurricane can wreak havoc on the lives of their animals, whose routines may have been disrupted because of inclement weather. The wet weather has also caused an increase in the number of stray animals that local shelters are caring for. Carol Childs, who runs the National Humane Society in Carrollwood at 4039 Gunn Highway, said she's received about 18 cats since Debby hit Tampa Bay on Sunday. "People have been finding them (animals) in puddles," she said. "Because the ground is so wet, …
Monday, June 4, 2012
Dogs bite out of fear, discomfort from pain or hunger, or to protect themselves and their territory.
- NEWS
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Monday, June 4, 2012
News Report Of the more than 2,100 dog bite reports received annually by Hillsborough County Animal Services, most involve the "family dog." Statistically, most bites occur to young children, the elderly, and service professionals (such as letter-carriers). Dogs bite out of fear, discomfort from pain or hunger, or to protect themselves and their territory. Dogs typically warn of impending danger through their body language, but adults and children often fail to recognize the signs. Any dog can bite, and animal experts worldwide agree that there is no evidence to predict the likelihood or frequency of dog bites according to breed. Hillsborough County Animal Services offers the following tips to keep pets and people safe: If bitten by a …
Joan Z
10:21 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
If 50+ other communities of all kinds -- north, south, east, west, rich, poor, urban, suburban and rural -- can save 90+ percent of all animals who come into their open admission municipal shelter, so can we, with or without a budget increase. It does not bode well for this task force that Amy Howland, who is on it, has apparently already made up her mind that the shelter and community can't do … more ›