For The Love Of Roxie; And The Society's Other Adoptable Pets

CLEARWATER, FL — The Humane Society of Pinellas is joining North Shore Animal League America's 27th annual Global Pet Adoptathon in partnership with Purina.

The monthlong initiative highlights the plight of homeless animals and seeks to find them responsible, loving homes. Through May 31, the Humane Society of Pinellas will celebrate rescue animals and promote adoption.

The Global Pet Adoptathon has been reimagined to accommodate COVID-19 health and safety protocols and ensure the safety of staff, the public and the animals.

Residents are invited to drop by the Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 State Road 590, Clearwater, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to see the facility's adoptable pets.

Animal lovers are also invited to support the Humane Society of Pinellas by participating in the first Walk for Whiskers Saturday, May 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. For a $20 donation, supporters can participate in person or virtually in the walk with 100 percent of proceeds going toward the care, feeding and medical costs of homeless animals.

Animal lovers are also encouraged to help raise money for furry kids through a personal fundraising page. Prizes will be awarded to top earners. Each registered participant will receive a free Walk for Whiskers T-shirt. Click here to register.

It's proving to be a busy year for the Humane Society of Pinellas. After 70 years at its current location, the shelter broke ground on a state-of-the-art adoption center in January thanks to a $4 million donation from residents Rebecca and Stu Sjouwerman, founders of the Clearwater-based cybersecurity firm, KnowBe4.

Slated to open in July, the 15,000-square-foot adoption center will be the first of two new buildings the Humane Society will construct over the next year. Construction on the second building, which will serve as a medical facility and pet hospital, will begin once the adoption center is completed. Both will be built to Category 5 hurricane standards and will have generators.

“We’re very much limited by having such an old facility so we’re very excited about this,” said Humane Society CEO Jeff Voelpel, noting that the facility has been operating at a limited capacity since Hurricane Irma damaged the shelter in 2017.

The new facility will be twice as big as the current facility, with 12,000 square feet of space to house the animals, a grooming salon, which will be open to the public with proceeds going to the Humane Society, and 3,000 square feet of office space.

The medical facility will also be 15,000 square feet and will house the Pet Hospital of Pinellas, operated by the Human Society as well as facilities to spay and neuter animals.

In 2020, the Humane Society found new homes for 2,146 animals, down slightly from 2019 when 2,664 animals were successfully adopted.

They include pets like Roxie, a mixed breed who was surrendered by her owner last November.

Roxie initially had some fearful behaviors toward people including barking, growling, retreating and biting at the leash. The shelter's behavior and training coordinator began working with Roxie to get her adjusted to the sounds around her and make her feel more comfortable around people.

Gradually, Roxie would walk over to greet visitors and allow them to pet her. Before long, she was ready for a new home and was fortunate to find someone with the time and patience to continue her training.

Founded in 1949, the nonprofit Humane Society of Pinellas is Pinellas County’s largest no-kill animal shelter. It received no state or federal funding or funding from any national animal organizations. The Humane Society relies on local donations for about half of its operating budget. To donate, click here.