TAMPA – Hillsborough County says 150,000 pets have been saved at the Pet Resource Center since the county improved the live-release rate at the shelter 13 years ago.
Back in 2012, about 12,000 dogs and cats were euthanized, nearly two-thirds of the pets brought to the shelter. Today, the Pet Resource Center’s live-release rate is above 90%.
It took 10 years to reach 100,000 pets saved, a milestone reached in October 2022. It has taken less than three years for that number to reach 150,000. Of the 150,406 dogs and cats saved, 101,133 were adopted, 27,643 returned home and 21,630 were sent to rescue groups.
These numbers stand out more when you consider the Pet Resource Center is an open-admission shelter, meaning it accepts all dogs and cats regardless of age, medical condition or breed.
Among the policy and practical changes responsible for the dramatic improvement in live-release rates and the accompanying drop in euthanasia:
- Creating a pet support team that helps residents keep their pets rather than turning them over to the shelter. Team members can help resolve issues with pet behavior, provide food and supplies, and even arrange medical care.
- Actively working with more than 300 pet rescue groups.
- Establishing a foster program that allows residents to take pets home for as little as a week. The program helps clear shelter space and provides information about the pets’ behavior and personality. Many of the pets are adopted by the foster parents or their friends or families.
- Establishing pet-enrichment programs such as dog play groups.
- Spaying, neutering and evaluating pets so most dogs and cats can go home the same day people decide to adopt them.
- Allowing residents to view nearly all available dogs and cats at the shelter through an online kennel that includes photos, medical information and behavioral notes.
- Matching people with the right pet, which increases owner satisfaction and reduces return rates.
- Increasing the number and variety of medical issues that can be treated at the shelter. Animals with ailments that almost automatically resulted in euthanasia a decade ago are now routinely treated at the shelter by veterinary staff and ultimately adopted.
Because the Pet Resource Center does not euthanize for space, the shelter is almost always full. Currently, the shelter is at about 120% capacity for dogs and 300% capacity for cats. Residents interested in adoption, fostering or volunteering can visit HCFL.gov/pets for details.
