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 …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

Melissa Lattman

11:28 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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

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. 

• Photos (1)

Viewfinder: Mutt Strut 2012

The 20th Annual Mutt Strut was held March 17 at Eagle Lake Park in Largo.

For the first time Mutt Strut was held at Pinellas County's Eagle Lake Park in Largo. In its 20th year, the event is the primary fundraiser for the Humane Society of Pinellas. Director of Development Twila Cole said, the strut raises monies and awareness. Fundraising totals were not yet available. The main event of the fundraiser was a one-mile loop walk around Eagle Lake. Dogs and their people strolled and rode around the partially, shaded trail. After the walk people could browse, shop and socialize. About 40 vendors and non-profit rescue organizations offered pet products and services from bandanas to vaccines.  Plus, dogs could cool off in shallow play pools. Puppies and dogs were available for adoption. The Goldstein family of Largo …

• Photos (22)

Help Dogs, Cats at the Humane Society

Volunteers at the Humane Society of Pinellas foster animals, walk dogs, groom cats, help out at fundraisers and more.

Do you want to give back to your community, but aren't sure where or how to start? To make it easy for you to connect with organizations in need, Patch is running a special end-of-year series, The 12 Days of Volunteering. Through Dec. 31, we will bring you one volunteer opportunity a day from a local nonprofit group.  Day 7: The Humane Society of Pinellas Are you an animal lover? Volunteers have many important jobs at the Humane Society of Pinellas. Sure, it makes a difference to adopt a homeless animal. But the volunteers keep the dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals healthy and safe at the shelter. They feed, socialize and tend to these orphaned, abandoned and sometimes abused pets. They are their friends. Volunteers can help by …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Volunteer Spotlight

Pinellas Preparatory Academy's Beta Club

The National Beta Club recognizes community service, leadership, good character and academic excellence.These kids are dedicated to the club's motto: "Let Us Lead by Serving Others".

What do you get when you combine free time and teenagers? For Pinellas Preparatory Academy's Junior Beta Club kids, the combination means actively helping the community. At the beginning of the school year the kids encouraged parents, staff and the community to donate blood for the American Red Cross. They held hand-made signs and reminded adults in the school's car circle to make time to donate blood. In January, they worked to raise school awareness about the Humane Society of Pinellas County. The kids campaigned to get the much-needed items listed on the organization's wish list. During their Jan. 27  facility tour, the kids donated towels, liquid soap, bleach, cat food and litter to the organization. "That's the whole purpose of this …

• Photos (2)