TAMPA, Fla. — A local animal shelter that is over capacity is making a plea for people to adopt their next four-legged friend from them.
The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center said it was at 125-percent capacity as of Friday evening and hadn’t been below 115-percent this month.
For cats alone, the center is at 160-percent capacity.
“For cats the big thing, it’s kitten season. Just a lot of cats having litters out there,” explained volunteer Coordinator Crissy Leto. “And for all animals in general, summer is vacations, its moving, umm people, unfortunately, aren’t able to take their pets with them sometimes when they move. Or they just realize it’s too much and they can’t take care of them.”
Pets who get adopted from the shelter go home microchipped, spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated. For most pets ready to be adopted this weekend, all of that comes at the price tag of only $20.
Severe overcrowding, adopting could mean saving the animals life.
“I’m more than happy to do what I can to help with that,” Brendan Barry, who is hoping to take a pet cat back to college said.
Even though many of these animals desperately need homes, it is important to make sure you are ready to adopt an animal. Food, boarding, and timing are all things to think about.
For people who are wondering if it’s the right time, Leto said when you know, you know.
The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center is located at 440 North Falkenburg Road and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
People can check out available pets online here.
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