Keeping Pets with their People

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

As the saying goes, life happens. 2020 proved this over and again. Many families face challenges such as major illness, homelessness, budget stressors, and although heart-breaking, surrendering a pet to a municipal pet shelter may seem like a necessity. After realizing some pets are surrendered for what can be a short-term challenge, the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center (PRC) formed a Pet Support Team in January 2020 to help families and pet owners get through those times and keep their pets with them. This team allowed designated staff to focus on the reasons why pets, mainly dogs, are surrendered and identify resources within the community and the PRC itself to match those needs. In the past year, the team has helped more than 1,000 pets -- or 84%-- remain in their homes with their people.As the only open-admission shelter in Hillsborough County, a county with a population of over 1.2 million, PRC accepts cats and dogs no matter their age, size, breed or condition. An owner wishing to surrender their pet first makes contact with the Pet Support Team. In most cases, team members work with the owner to find the best possible outcome for the pet and the owner.