6
Local Shelters & Rescues100s
Pets Needing HomesDaily
Adoption EventsMany
Volunteer OpportunitiesLocal Animal Shelters & Rescue Organizations
Pasco County Animal Services
Humane Society of Pasco County
Pasco Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Saving Paws Rescue of Florida
Pit Sisters Rescue
Canine Estates Inc.
Pet Adoption Process & Tips
Typical Adoption Process:
- Visit shelter or browse adoptable pets online
- Complete an adoption application
- Meet and interact with pets
- Home visit or reference check (varies by organization)
- Pay adoption fee (usually includes spay/neuter, vaccines)
- Take your new family member home!
What to Bring:
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of residence
- Landlord approval (if renting)
- Carrier or leash for transport
- List of veterinary references
- Payment for adoption fees
Emergency Veterinary Hospitals
Animal Emergency of Pasco
BluePearl Pet Hospital - Tampa
Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service
Animal Emergency & Critical Care Center of Tampa
VCA Carrollwood Cat Hospital
Animal Hospital of North Pinellas
When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
Immediate Emergency Signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Unconsciousness or collapse
- Severe bleeding or trauma
- Seizures
- Suspected poisoning
- Eye injuries
Urgent Care Needed:
- Vomiting or diarrhea (persistent)
- Not eating for 24+ hours
- Difficulty urinating
- Limping or pain
- Swollen or bloated abdomen
- Excessive panting or drooling
Low-Cost Veterinary Services
Animal Coalition of Tampa
1408 N. 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33605
813-250-3900
Low-cost spay/neuter, vaccines, microchipping
SPCA Florida Medical Center
5850 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland, FL 33813
863-577-4618
Affordable veterinary care, wellness clinics
Online Pet Adoption Resources
Lost & Found Pets
If You've Lost a Pet:
- Contact Pasco County Animal Services immediately
- File a lost pet report online
- Post on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor
- Check shelters in person - photos don't always match
- Put out items with your scent near your home
If You've Found a Pet:
- Check for ID tags and contact the owner
- Take to any vet to scan for microchip (free)
- Report to Animal Services as "found"
- Post on social media with photos
- Florida law requires reasonable effort to find owner