Rescue Pet of the Week

Fluffy Peanut Keeps His Cage Clean

Meet Peanut and friends at SPCA Tampa Bay.

Meet Peanut! He is an adorable 2 Year old America Rabbit. This guy is so sweet, he enjoys being petted and held. American rabbits are very smart and can be trained to use a litter box, as a matter of fact this guy keeps his cage very clean here at SPCA already. With his soft fluffy coat and his ever so sweet demeanor Peanut would make a wonderful family pet! Come to SPCA Tampa Bay today to see how cute this guy is in person! Once he nudges your hand for attention you may just fall in love! Adopt Peanut today for $25. Need Bunny supplies? We have all you need in our Homeward Bound Gift Shop. Adopt today at SPCA Tampa Bay located at 9099 130th Ave North in Largo or online Spcatampabay.org

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Rescue Pet of the Week

Cuddly Jinx Loves to Play

Meet Jinx and friends at SPCA Tampa Bay.

Meet Jinx! She is a 7 year old Pit Bull Terrier Mix.   Jinx came to us after her previous owner became ill, and could no longer care for her. She is a sweet loyal girl looking for a nice quiet home in which she can spend time with her new “fur-ever” companion. Jinx loves to play fetch, tennis balls are pretty much her favorite toy.  Jinx is definitely housetrained and loves to cuddle with her human. She has been through some wonderful training here at our facility, see her video at spcatampabay.org to see the neat tricks this smart gal has learned. Adopt Jinx today for only $30. Fee includes free private training session, microchip, spay surgery, 30-Day Pet Insurance, up to date vaccinations and most importantly your new best gal! Adopt …

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Save Me: Adoptable Pets From Pinellas County Animal Services

Get Misty-Eyed Over This Collie

Animal Services shares Halloween safety tips for pets, along with the pet of the week.

This is the kind of dog that will make you all misty. Yes, Misty (#290650) is a 10-month-old border collie mix who tips the scales at a svelte 37 pounds. Found as a stray, she’s full of energy and waiting for a forever family. This week, we start a new feature on the pet of the week announcement. If you would like to see a video of Misty playing in the pool, be sure to check her out on YouTube at http://youtu.be/UiDCuZAQnZo. If you bring this article with you to Animal Services, Misty can be yours for the low fee of $25.  And, remember, every single one of the pets offered for adoption at Animal Services are spayed or neutered and have all of their required shots. And, this week, we are bursting at the seams with many adorable and …

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Loving Lucy is Ready to Come Home

Lucy is looked over too often because she looks like a high energy breed.

Lucy is a quiet and loving dog who's really needing a good home. Lucy is commonly overlooked because many see her bigger head and brown color and assume that she's a pitbull mix. The more likely situation is that she's an American Staffordshire Terrier Mix. How to Adopt Lucy is ready to go to her forever home. The adoption fee is $35 and includes the first set of shots, spaying or neutering, 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 Lucy, and we will feature your photo with your new pet on Patch, too! How to Help If you can't adopt, but still want to help, Animal Services always needs volunteers. Animal Services has Saturday hours on June 16 from 9 a.m. until noon…

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Rescue Pet of the Week

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Bella Likes Heights

Meet Bella and her friends at the new cat colony rooms at SPCA Tampa Bay.

Bella is about three-years-old and she has always lived as an inside cat. Bella likes to perch in high places to keep an eye on her household. She is better with older children, good with other cats but has no experience with dogs. Adopt Bella at SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Avenue North in Largo. www.SPCATampaBay.org Have you checked out the new digs for cats at the SPCA? 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. Do you speak cat? Go to the SPCA on June 2 and learn. The two-hour class covers: reading feline body language, common behavior issues, feline health tips and more. Cost is $20 adoptors, $25 public.

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Save Me: Adoptable Pets From Pinellas County Animal Services

Larry the Lab Loves to Dance

Visit Larry and other adoptable pets at Animal Services.

Meet Larry (#284173). This two-year-old Lab and hound mix tips the scales at a husky 73 pounds.  He’s a big guy with a big personality – a lot of fun to be around. We’re told that when he runs, he looks like he’s dancing… so, if you want to strut your stuff with a new four-legged friend, Larry might just be the perfect dance partner.   If you bring this article with you to Animal Services, Larry can be yours for the low fee of $25.  And, remember, every single one of the pets offered for adoption at Animal Services are spayed or neutered and have all of their required shots. And, this week, we are bursting at the seams with many adorable and adoptable pets to choose from! Visit Larry and the other cats, dogs, puppies and kittens up for …

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Senior Pets for Senior People

A special program at Pinellas County Animal Services places senior pets with senior citizens.

Residents of a local senior living community had a visit from special, furry local seniors recently. The visitors at Cypress Palms were senior dogs from Pinellas County Animal Services. Seniors at the assisted living community could pet or cuddle the dogs, if they wanted. The recent meet and greet opportunity was a way to introduce residents to a special pet adoption program. This fall Animal Services started the "Senior-For-Senior" program. Volunteers visit pet friendly senior communities and match the personalities of the pets and the people. Traditionally senior pets have been difficult to place. Many families prefer to adopt younger animals, which left senior pets in shelters, foster homes or to be euthanized, said volunteer Judy …

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Nine Dogs Saved From Overcrowded Shelter, Shipped to SPCA

On Saturday the SPCA Tampa Bay welcomed nine dogs from an overcrowded shelter in South Carolina. The dogs were shipped pro bono by Pilots 'N Paws.

Cheryl Houston, SPCA ambulance driver, anxiously waited at Tampa International Airport for nine dogs to arrive from an overcrowded shelter, on Saturday. "They were given a second chance. These guys are special," Houston said.  The dogs were being shipped from Florence, SC, 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.  The first dog to step out of the ambulance after arriving to SPCA Tampa Bay in Largo was Karla, a one-year-old shepherd mix.  Volunteers assisted Houston in checking the dogs for any visible signs of trauma. Karla was shaken and nervous, but was cleared by staff. That's expected, said Jennifer Clement, SPCA medical department …

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Rescue Me

Rescue Dog, Child Give Each Other New Hope

Layla was struggling in the foster system, and Hayley was suffering from depression. Then they found each other.

Layla was on her fifth month in foster care and going on her fourth trial visit. She had a great foster mom (me!), but I am sure she couldn’t figure out why no one wanted her. I couldn't, either. She is sweet, loving, has lots of energy and is a personality all her own.  Layla started to have some tummy trouble, so she was not allowed to go on any visits for a while. The rescue wanted to see her get well before putting her through any more stress by sending her to a home she did not know. I started debating whether I should just keep her. After all, I loved her, and she got along well with my dog, Kaiah.   Meanwhile, in Palm Harbor, 10-year-old Hayley Painter was having bouts of depression. She wanted to be alone and withdrew from everyone…

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Rescue Me

Not All Strays Are Throwaways

The vet gave him a 20 percent chance of surviving.

Almost exactly one year ago, Bree Rauck was volunteering with a local animal rescue. She loved dogs and wanted a chance to give back. Cathy, a co-founder of the rescue told her that a puppy would be arriving soon and to watch for it. Soon, a lady came walking up with a malnourished, injured and broken male pup. He had been found roaming Busch Blvd. in Tampa. Bree’s heart went out the pup, and she called her husband to ask if they could foster it. Her husband, Tracy, shared Bree's enthusiasm for animals and said of course!  That night and most of Saturday, the puppy, which they named Brindle, was lively and happy. Then, all of a sudden on Saturday night he became lethargic and began vomiting. Brindle didn't act at all like the puppy he had …

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