Adoption Center

Adoptions make everyone smile at Animal Services. With your help, adoptions have quadrupled in the past five years. Loving families adopted 3,400 pets in 2009. For $40 or less you can

choose a dog or cat to be a part of your family. Adoptable animals will be vaccinated and sterilized prior to moving to their new homes.

• View adoptable dogs & cats
• What to know before you adopt
• Adoption process
• Adoption preview & process form
• Find your match-What type of dog or cat would best fit my lifestyle?
  
• Cat adoption and information
• Happy tails

Animal Services pledges its commitment to the public and the animals in their care. Citizens are urged to tour the facility and visit with the adoptable pets.

• Select the animal.
• Take the animal history card to the reception area
• Complete the adoption application .
• Once approved, pay the fee (cash or credit card).
• In most cases, you can immediately take home your new friend for life.
• Congratulations on your new dog!
• Congratulations on your new cat!
• Post surgical information

This application is used to make sure that each of our pets go to a long-term, loving home. Pinellas County Animal Services reserves the right to deny any adoption that may not be appropriate for the animal or potential adopter.

Pinellas County Animal Services does not discriminate with regards to sex, color, race or gender. This paper becomes a government “public record” and must remain at Pinellas County Animal Services.

• Adoption application - preview & process form
• Adoption fee includes:
  • All dogs and cats are examined, spayed/neutered, vaccinated (including rabies) and tested for heartworms or FELV/FIV before leaving the facility.
  • County pet license
  • 5 lb. bag of Hills Science Diet food
  • Free training

• Please be advised that not all animals pictured may be available at the time of your visit.

• Please be aware that we do not hold animals. All animals are adopted first come, first serve.

• If you see an animal on the adoption page that you are interested in, please write down the code number so that we may serve you faster when you arrive at our facility.
• Animal Services hosts many specials throughout the year including a full month of support to the “Feline Spay Month” every February, May (National Pet Week-first full week of May), June-“Adopt a Cat Month”, and August-“Adopt a Dog Month”.  We offer reduced price adoptions, and $5 rabies vaccinations with proof of current license during these specials.

• Animal Services is an active member of the PINELLAS ANIMAL PARTNERS (PAP). This organization enhances working relationships and communications among the people and humane organizations on the front line of animal care and animal welfare. The members work together to develop strategies for dealing with a wide range of animal issues. This organization includes Pinellas County Animal Services, SPCA , Humane Society of Pinellas , Pet Pal Animal Shelter , Pinellas Animal Foundation, Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Society, and the St. Petersburg Junior College Veterinary Technician Program.

Since creating partnerships for cat adoption programs with several local pet stores, we now adopt out more cats than dogs. All donations received from the cat adoptions are placed in the Animal Welfare Trust Fund.

Pinellas County regulations require cats to be kept indoors, unless they are on a leash. Please review the information below.

• Impact of Feral & Free-Ranging Cats on Bird Species
• Out Doors Brochure
• Outdoor Hazards

What to Know Before You Adopt:

Before you decide on a pet, review the information below:

• Review this free book on Adopting a Rescue Dog.
• Evaluate your needs
  Find out what breed of dog or cat best suits your lifestyle. Are you active? Are you home a lot? Do you have children? Do you work 20 hours a day? These are all the things that need to be considered before adopting an animal.
• Visit Pinellas County Animal Services
  Many people's first inclination is to go a pet store; however, local shelters have many dogs and cats to choose from in all shapes and sizes. We recommend reviewing our adoption application - preview & process form to determine what documents you should bring and/or the criteria to qualify, when adopting an animal.
• Ask the shelter staff lots of questions
  These are the people that are with the animals every day. Most likely, the shelter staff will be able to determine the animals' personality traits, likes, dislikes and temperament. Also, if you are looking for a specific breed or personality type, our shelter staff may be of help.
• Keep your options open
  A pet doesn't have to be a puppy or kitten to be a loyal companion. Older animals have a lot to offer. Oftentimes older dogs are already housebroken and leash-trained and older cats may be litter box trained and a bit more calmer than a kitten.
• Take your time
  It may take awhile to find that perfect pet, so be patient. You may have to visit the shelter quite often before you find the one that is right for you.
• Make a decision as a family
  If this pet will be a family pet, make your family a part of the decision. How does the dog/cat get along with everyone and how does everyone get along with the dog/cat? Remember you are choosing an animal to be a member of the family. Your pet may live as long as 16 to 18 years. Are you and your family prepared for such an important commitment?
• Give your animal some time to adjust
  Once you bring your new pet home, remember that it is in a new place and has to learn the lay of the land. Let it wander around and sniff. If there are children in the home, tell them that like a new kid in school, the animal may need a few days to adjust before it's comfortable to play. Most importantly, be patient. It may take a few weeks for the animal to feel at home and for it's true personality to emerge. Keep your pet safe and do not let your pet roam free outdoors .
• Use our shelter as a resource
  We will be happy to offer advice to keep you and your pet together.

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