Corky and Fly Experience County Shelter Life ( Article 4 of 5)

Corky and Fly Experience  County Shelter Life ( Article 4 of 5)

To read the 1st 3 articles see May 17, June 30th and July 30th blog

This 1st week in the shelter we hung out in our rooms, side by side. We had room service and housekeeping every day!  Humans gave us water and treats and we both heard the humans say ”Look what we have here.  A pure breed JRT and a pure breed aussie. If the owners don’t come for them we will contact JRT Rescue and Aussie Rescue.”  We didn’t know what that meant, but it sounded nice.

While we were waiting to go into either adoption row or rescue row we got to hear all the other stories from all the other dogs. It was sad. There were so many dogs here! We know our owners will come get us when they get back from vacation. But all these other dogs........ Where were all the owners?  One Labrador Retriever mix next to me told me that his owner lost his home and was not allowed to have a dog where he had to move into.  Grrrr!  Don't people know dogs are good for them?  Across from me was an old and wise Schnauzer named Griz.  He told us that his owner had passed away.  I felt bad for him even when he was placed in adoptions but I guess someone else did also because he got adopted in 15 minutes.  That made me very happy and although I know Fly won't admit to it, I am pretty sure I saw tears in his eyes when he heard that Griz got a home.  Sometimes we heard really sad stories about animal cruelty too.

Cruelty to animals could mean depriving a pet of food, water, shelter or veterinary care. Extreme cases of animal cruelty include torture, maiming or killing animals. The causes of this behavior can vary widely, but can often be attributed to past abuse. Often, a person who will abuse an animal will also abuse other people.

What are the signs of animal cruelty?  Animal cruelty can take many forms. Some of the warning signs include: 

·         Wounds – especially ones that have not been tended to or treated by a veterinarian

·         Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners

·         Extremely thin or starved appearance

·         Patches of missing hair

·         Limping

·         Tick or flea infestations. If left untreated, this can lead to an animal's death

Other actions are considered signs of animal cruelty:

·         An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal

·         Dogs that are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard

·         Dogs that are kept outside in extreme weather conditions without appropriate shelter

How can you report animal cruelty?  If you notice signs of animal cruelty, it’s important that you call your local police department or Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.  You can also e-mail Animal Services. You may provide anonymous information, but remember that any e-mails are subject to the public records laws of Florida.

You can help!

Help educate others about the danger of leaving pets in cars, outdoors in the sun and in other situations that expose them to Florida’s heat. Not everyone realizes this, especially if they are visiting the area or have recently relocated. Educate others about the need for clean water and food, safe areas for animals to live and play. Tell them about the need for veterinary care. Vaccinations and spaying and neutering information is a good way to start.

Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and care they deserve. Taking care of a pet is more than just providing food, water and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered, licensed and vaccinated.

By the end of the week we were both ready to go to adoptions. We knew that the dog walkers were there waiting for us. Oh boy…it’s almost ball time!

For more information, visit Pinellas County Animal Services’ web page at www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/volunteer.htm  or call (727) 582-2600.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services include adoptions. Rabies vaccinations are administered on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The facility is closed all Pinellas County holidays.

For information on how to adopt, donate or volunteer, join Pinellas County Animal Services on Facebook. To learn more about the shelter, visit www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices, or call (727) 582-2600. The lost or found pets hotline is (727) 582-2604.

For more information about Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.