Top Headlines: Saving Animals, Fireplace Restaurant, Largo Hotel Shooting

Busy week? Allow us to catch you up on some of the highlights.

1. Largo Police continue to investigate a hotel shooting in which one woman was killed and another was critically wounded. 2. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Sitton of Largo was honored at last weekend's Veterans Day Ceremony in Largo Central Park. 3. Largo's Fireplace Restaurant, on Seminole Boulevard, melds traditional diner fare with Greek specialties and offers affordable prices, large servings and the warmth of home. 4. A dog that belonged to 82-year-old Margaret Wix, who was struck and killed on a Largo roadway, was reunited with Wix's family, thanks to some local animal rescuers and community members who connected through a Patch story. 5. Speaking of rescuing animals, a new method for tracking animal intake at local shelters is aimed at …

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Tracking Animals By the Numbers in Pinellas County

Local animal agencies have developed a shared reporting system to help reduce the number of animals euthanized in the county.

The fluffy orange cat at Pinellas County Animal Services purred loudly and persistently. Perhaps it was aware of the fate of some fellow felines in Pinellas County — at least the story told through the numbers. Cats represented 54 percent of all intakes at several local animal shelters in October. And 69 percent of the cats were euthanized. The numbers come from Humane Society of Pinellas, Pet Pal Animal Shelter, Pinellas County Animal Services and SPCA Tampa Bay, which account for about 80 to 90 percent of the animals received each month, agency representatives said.  The local animal agencies have worked together over several months to establish a consistent reporting system that will let each agency clearly report animal intake and …

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Melissa Lattman

11:28 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Yes Jo, Simba the orange cat has a "fur"ever home.   more ›

Who Abused This Boxer Puppy?

SPCA Tampa Bay is offering a $500 reward after 5-month-old Beau had his leg, ribs and jaw broken in St. Petersburg.

SPCA Tampa Bay is trying to find out who is responsible for a vicious case of animal abuse of a 5-month-old puppy in St. Petersburg. The last attack on Beau, a boxer mix, left him with broken ribs and a broken jaw, officials said. His leg had been broken twice, the second time so badly that it had to be amputated. "Our hearts break at the abuse this young animal has suffered in only 5 months of life," wrote Nora Hawkins, guest services and promotions director of the Largo-based organization, in an email to Patch. "Beau’s injuries were extensive and show a pattern of abuse. Miraculously Beau is alive and healing." SPCA Tampa Bay took in the injured puppy in June, responding to a plea from a woman who had rescued Beau and got him life-saving…

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Video: Willow Has Energy and Love to Spare

This young hound mix would do well with an active family who loves affection.

Willow is a firecracker of excitment and energy. While energetic, she's still an adorable and sweet dog who absolutely love to give affection everyone around her. Willow is one-and-a-half years old and already knows some basic commands like sit and lie down and would be easily trained. Willow would make a great pet for anyone who's looking for an active and loving dog. How to Adopt Willow is ready to go to her forever home. She is spayed and microchipped. The adoption fee is $35 and includes the first set of shots, a collar and leash, a bag of food and a toy for the dog. We've attached an adoption form (PDF) to make it easy. Adopt Willow, and we will feature your photo with your new pet on Patch, too! How to Help If you can't adopt, but …

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Humane Society Flooded During Tropical Storm Debby

The animal rescue group is offering discounts to anyone who adopts an animal as the staff tries to get the facility back in order, according to ABC Action News.

The Humane Society of Pinellas was flooded during Tropical Storm Debby, and staff there are asking for help finding permanent homes for pets who are now crowded into smaller quarters, according to ABC Action News. A spokeswoman told ABC Action News that all of the animals are safe, just wet and crowded. The shelter is offering discounts on pet adoptions and is also looking for volunteer foster families, according to the report. Read the full report on ABC Action News. For information on the Humane Society of Pinellas, visit HumaneSocietyofPinellas.org. 

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Largo Vet Helps Puppies Rescued from Fire

Pinellas Park Firefighters extinguished flames and rescued numerous pets that were home alone this morning.

Early this morning 18 fire units responded to the scene of a house fire at 7451 35th Street N in Pinellas Park. The fire was extinguished within 13 minutes, fire officials said. Although the homeowners were not home, their pets were home alone. As the firefighters fought the blaze, they encountered two dogs, six Husky puppies, five snakes and a number of rabbits. The animals survived the fire. Although one of the puppies was unresponsive when removed from the home.  Lealman Firefighter Ron Neuberger revived the puppy. The firefighters transported five of the puppies to Largo Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Lutz is providing care for the animals free of charge at this time. The sixth puppy was missing but located and returned to its owner by a …

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New Cat Colony Rooms Help Pet Adoptions

Felines have a new home-like space at the SPCA Tampa Bay.

The SPCA Tampa Bay's Feline Friends building has a new look aimed at getting cats adopted faster, and keeping them healthier while they await new homes. Visit the new digs at 9099 130th Avenue North in Largo. Four cat colony rooms give cats and kittens the luxury to roam free, play on towers or wind their way in and out of hidey holes and twisting tunnels. Potential adopters enter the colony rooms to sit and visit with the cats in a more natural get-acquainted environment. The friendly, and more comfortable, environment reduces feline stress and minimizes upper respiratory infections that afflict cats in caged shelter surroundings. The Cat Colony renovation was funded by donors interested in improving the environment for cats awaiting …

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County Improves Living Conditions for Shelter Animals

New bedding, treats and music reduce the stress level of dogs and cats at Pinellas County Animal Services.

Piped classical music, a comfortable bed, and a personal chew toy filled with peanut butter are some of the recent improvements, to make life better for dogs at Pinellas County Animal Services. "The increased level of enrichment and care (more walking by volunteers) reduces the stress level of the animals, which improves medical and behavioral health and therefore adoptability," said Caroline Thomas, the Director of Veterinary Medicine at Animal Services. All of the shelter's dogs can now rest on Kuranda beds. The orthopedic beds are chew proof and easy to clean. Plus, each dog gets a personal Kong chew toy, which goes home with the dog when it's adopted. "The beds are easier on the paws and pressure points. They give the dogs somewhere …

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Rescue Pet of the Week

Pilots 'N Paws Rescued Dogs Ready For Adoption

The SPCA Tampa Bay's nine rescued dogs through the Pilots 'N Paws program are ready to be adopted.

Two weeks ago these nine dogs' future was uncertain. They were saved from being euthanized when they were removed from an overcrowded shelter from Florence, SC. They were shipped to the SPCA Tampa Bay by Pilots 'N Paws, a non-profit that brings pilots from all over the country together to transport animals at risk of being euthanized or abused. Now they are ready to be adopted.

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