Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center — Local services in Brandon

FYI: although what happened to us and our dog was traumatic, the resource center did everything they could to help and I felt I was truly heard. They could not have handled the situation any better. (Once I got to speak to a manager.) Here’s the story. Read on to read how well things were handled. We adopted a male dog at an adoption event. (Over 300 Dogs) he had been a stray. Knowing this we asked many questions especially because we already have a dog and cats. We only spoke to volunteers (about 10/15 or more). Unfortunately their knowledge of each animal was slim at best. They had an app they read from, that’s the most information they had. Over and over each one said that he was fine. Even after he reacted aggressively toward other dogs that were there. I was assured he was good to go. We told several volunteers how we were going to introduce the dogs. As soon as we got home we were going to meet them up at a neutral location. (Our neighborhood dog park.) No one ever said don’t or what the best process. Something about 333 when introducing dogs. Not every one knows that and it should be told to all adopters every time. We had no idea. We introduced the dogs and the rescue dog took maybe 30 seconds to get his jaws on my dogs throat. Thank God someone at the park knew what to do. Otherwise my beautiful labradane would have died. Being as it had pit in him, his jaws were immensely powerful.

Our dog is great! She would not go near my fiancé for about 24 hours because he was holding the other dog. My dog was scared of her owner because of this. Our dog is great and thankfully not as badly injured as she could have been. The volunteers shamed my fiancé for bringing him back. For their dog biting my dog…. Ridiculous! So, I went to the resource center with the papers they gave us after we adopted him. There were red flags in that packet that would have kept me from getting this dog. However, I went in, spoke with a woman who could not have been moree understanding. I was worried because of the way my fiancé was treated. But the woman I spoke with said she heard and saw what happened but could not correct the volunteers right then because she was taking care of other dogs. She told me she did correct them. She also told me that the papers we received after the adoption would now be available to the potential adopter’s before the adoption. Im hoping that the volunteers are trained better so that this won’t happen again and I FULLY believe the resource center will do all they can. Thank you to the lady (I know her name but I’m not going to put it on here.) that listened. Thank you for validating our concerns and taking them to improve animals and humans lives. Also, if you are adopting any animal that has been a stray, make sure they have had it fostered and it’s been able to take in what living in a house is like. If you don’t you could end up dealing with what we dealt with. And if you ever find yourselves in a situation like us…. The way you get an aggressive dog to open its mouth… sounds bad… but you choke it so it will have to open its mouth to breathe. It took 3 of us to accomplish that. The rescue dog is fine and we are hoping they will find a home where he can be the center of attention!! He’s is definitely a victim of circumstance. He was so sweet on our way home. He was in the backseat and put his head on my shoulder. I know he will do well with more training. He’s not a bad dog. Please do not shame me for the actions we took to save our dog. It was the only way....

. I had issues with an adoption & tried to reach out to someone in charge.. that’s when I was very unfortunately sent to JESSICA YELIANA , I reached out regarding an adoption issue and spoke with Jessica yeliana. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely negative. She did not make any effort to help me, dismissed everything I said, and even refused to provide me with her supervisor’s contact information several times. Her exact words were “I’m not giving u anyone’s number or email you can get an attorney if u have an issue” To make matters worse, she hung up on me during our conversation while I was in the middle of talking.. and then when I called back she hung up on me again and then did not answer any of my phone calls after that.. she also told me even though I was FIRST this morning in trying to adopt a foster dog that because the foster family found someone hours AFTER me reaching out , that they have the right to the dog which to my understanding all on the phone recording , in the building & on the website it’s first come first serve & i was first. I informed whoever I was emailing that I would come instantly to get the dog , after we were scheduling a time & day for me to pick it up , I gave all my information, sent a picture of my id & then I didn’t hear back till after 4 saying they now had someone else to get him instead . When I was arranging getting him early this morning . JESSICA stated it was an easier option for them to go through with the other family cause it was “less work and more convenient for them because no one had to take the dog to the shelter for the adoption” which again is not fair to me .and I also stated I would get the dog at any time and place they wanted me too. I have tried to get this dog for several days and was told by 3 different employees he was unavailable. After searching online & in the building for days in a row , confused as to why it said available but I was being told “he wasn’t he was already ADOPTED” . Come to find out he IS very much available and just fostered .. so that’s when I went through the process of trying to get him , AGAIN, so I reached out to the foster email I was given.

Because of this lack of assistance, & being told false information by people that were either to lazy to do their job properly or not knowledgeable enough to know how to do their job properly I lost the opportunity to adopt the dog I had fought so hard to find & adopt & planned to bring home today — most likely, he’ll now be adopted by someone else. This entire situation was deeply disappointing, and I expected much more professionalism and compassion from someone representing an animal shelter.

Refusing me contact information to the boss Is unacceptable . Telling me if I wanted to talk to someone about this issue I could get an attorney is unfair and not right . I’ve never heard of someone at a business being allowed to refuse their bosses information to a customer.

I would love to be reached out to by Jessica yeliana’s Boss and further explain my experience with her and the shelter . Me and my children’s hearts are shattered the dog we connected with so well was robbed from us so unfairly & we feel by not helping and hearing what we had to say & keeping the bosses information from us, Jessica yeliana had a huge...

I was surprised by how nice the facility was and what a good space the had for each cat up for adoption. They also have a nice room where you can have time to get to know the cat you are thinking about adopting. It was very clean and the cats were getting alot of attention from the staff. I just went to pay for my cats tag. I rescued her last year. My only issue was that the door was locked and only a few people were allowed inside at a time. I could not even ask if I was at the right place until a staff member came to let another person in. I told her the reason I came but still was not allowed inside were it was air conditioned and there were empty chairs. It was very hot outside and all the seating was taken. I have problems standing for any length of time-10 minutes is about my limit. I waited about 30 minutes and was getting ready to leave when someone came out the door. All the other people waiting outside had already been taken inside so I went inside and sat down. After about 10 minutes a staff member came to assist me with the tag purchase. I don't mean to be negative but there were alot of empty chairs available inside and there were only 4 of us waiting outside and when I did get inside there were only about 7 people inside. ( there is a sign on the door that says only 16 people were allowed at a time) I was not there to adopt and my transaction took 5 min or less to complete. None of the staff members were assisting other people so I don't see why any of us were made to stay out in the heat for any amount if time. I only counted 6 people exiting while I was outside. Every one was very pleasant but this is Florida and it was 98° that day. I didn't know that you can schedule and appointment until they told me, so that is on me but even so I can see an appointment for adopting but to pay for a tag? At least I will know for next year! If you are thinking of adopting, please consider an older cat. Many times these cats have had to be given up because their owners have had to go into nursing homes and their loyal companion is taken out of his home, put in a cage and their person is nowhere. The cats can only be kept for a certain amount of time so often this is a death sentence for an older cat-everyone want a cute kitten. Often an older cat is a good match for and a senior living alone. They make wonderful companions and can provide company, purpose and affection to seniors who are by themselves. Please consider adopting a senior cat if you are thinking about adopting you really will be "saving " a cat and adding so much...