Hillsborough County Pet Shelter Overflowing; At 500 Percent Capacity

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is participating in a national adoption effort Friday and Saturday, the latest push to alleviate severe overcrowding at the shelter.

The Best Friends National Adoption Weekend is meant to increase the number of pet adoptions throughout the United States. Pet numbers are up at shelters across the country, including at Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa.

The pet population at the center has reached more than 500 percent of capacity this summer, and while a recent adoption event resulted in more than 200 adoptions in a single day, the number of cats and dogs at the shelter has continued to increase since then, according to the shelter.

As of this week, the shelter was at more than 450 percent capacity on cats and nearly 130 percent capacity on dogs.

No appointments are needed Friday and Saturday, July 22-23, to adopt a dog or cat at the Pet Resource Center. Adoption fees are waived as well. Dogs and cats at the shelter are vaccinated, microchipped, registered, and spayed or neutered.

The Pet Resource Center also has an active program for residents to become pet foster parents. Residents can foster a pet for as little as two weeks, freeing up shelter space and giving the shelter helpful information about the pet.

The Pet Resource Center is the only open-admission shelter in Hillsborough County, meaning it accepts dogs and cats regardless of breed, size or medical condition. Adoption hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Visit the center or search online to view hundreds of adoptable animals.