6
Local Shelters & Rescues100s
Pets Needing HomesDaily
Adoption EventsMany
Volunteer Opportunities
Hurricane Season Alert: Make sure your pets are microchipped and have proper ID tags. Have a pet emergency kit ready with food, water, medications, and carriers.
Local Animal Shelters & Rescue Organizations
County Shelter
Pasco County Animal Services
Services:
Adoptions
Lost & Found
Spay/Neuter
Microchipping
Non-Profit
Humane Society of Pasco County
Services:
Adoptions
Foster Program
Pet Food Bank
Education
Rescue Organization
Pasco Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Services:
Adoptions
Foster Program
TNR Program
Community Outreach
Rescue Organization
Saving Paws Rescue of Florida
Services:
Adoptions
Foster Program
Medical Care
Transport
Breed-Specific Rescue
Pit Sisters Rescue
Services:
Pit Bull Rescue
Adoptions
Foster Program
Education
Senior Dog Sanctuary
Canine Estates Inc.
Services:
Senior Dog Sanctuary
Adoptions
Hospice Care
Volunteer Program
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
Tip: Consider adopting senior pets or bonded pairs - they often make wonderful companions and may have reduced adoption fees!
Emergency Veterinary Hospitals
Pet Emergency? Call ahead when possible! These facilities provide emergency and critical care for pets when your regular vet is closed.
Animal Emergency of Pasco
11010 Spring Hill Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34608
24 hours daily
Emergency & critical care, surgery, diagnostics
Visit Website
BluePearl Pet Hospital - Tampa
3000 Busch Lake Blvd, Tampa, FL 33618
24 hours daily
Emergency, specialty care, ICU, surgery
Visit Website
Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service
238 E Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613
Evenings, weekends, holidays
After-hours emergency care, critical care
Visit Website
Animal Emergency & Critical Care Center of Tampa
2611 N US Highway 301, Tampa, FL 33619
24 hours daily
Emergency medicine, critical care, surgery
Visit Website
VCA Carrollwood Cat Hospital
5503 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa, FL 33625
Extended hours, some emergency
Feline specialty care, urgent care
Visit Website
Animal Hospital of North Pinellas
39935 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Extended hours Mon-Sat
Urgent care, after-hours emergencies
Visit Website
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
Always call ahead when possible - Emergency vets can provide guidance and prepare for your arrival.
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