Pinellas County Animal Services — Local services in Largo

The most recent time that I went to the animal shelter. I noticed several differences some due to covid and others due to what appears to be structural changes. They have a larger open area when you first walk in compared to what it was the last time I visited. The customer service etiquette and follow through with the individuals who were there honestly caught me off guard in a very positive way. I went there to get new tags and to make sure that my information was updated. In that process the lady who was helping me had made a comment about calico cats and I immediately mentioned that I have a calico and our conversation went to a positive animal learning session. There is however some room for improvement concerning the building itself from what I could see on the outside, and it broke my heart when I saw the number of animals that are currently calling this location home! I was holding back tears when I heard a lady in the background on the phone ( as she was trying to say the comment in a quiet voice) say to the person- sir you would not be the first person who is surrendered your animal to us because your employer is letting you return back to work and you only had your pet out of convenience- or something along that line. Inside I felt like a nuclear bomb went off in my heart and my first reaction was how amazingly selfish we humans can be while at the same time being more cruel to another living being without even giving it a second thought! I wanted to give the lady a hug when I heard her trying to give the individual ideas of how to continue being a pet parent. Even though it sounded like she was talking to a brick wall. I for one am going to try and start to volunteer time there and if there was a way that I could get a law passed without having the capability of being overturned. I would honestly make it a requirement for the future pet parent when purchasing or adopting an animal as a pet such as cats, dogs, Birds, exotic animals Etc. That the future pet parent would have to sign a printed document agreeing to the responsibility of not only being the pet parent but to make sure the animal is able to live a very long life, and in the event that the individual gets cold feet and decides to try and return the animal or find the animal at home. That the responsibility of being the providing pet parent does not stop there and that individual would have one of two options to choose. Number one having x amount of dollars being taken out of their paychecks or sources of income to help sustain the animals life. Or the second option would be jail time for not fulfilling the contract. There again that is my reaction thought to what I heard the lady say to the person on the phone and I just cannot wrap my brain around why somebody during the covid-19 time would purchase an animal to be a pet. And then just throw that animal to the Wayside or even drive off a lot somewhere and kick the animal out of the car and drive off like no big deal just because they don't want to be a responsible human being but instead they want to be brain dead and show how not to be a human. I encourage everybody to help out the animal shelters that are making a difference, and to donate when you can whether it be time or money or both. And thank you again to everyone who has been helping out at this animal shelter and others like it you really make the adoption process and the honor of having a pet a...

Never going back.....have been to 4 of these shelters, Austin, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and now here. All ended up as the same result a WASTE of time. Austin was a drill on if you ever had to have gotten rid of a dog in your past 30 years and walk around for an hour, writing dogs #'s down, as we were told, only to be told by a customer service agent, oh these dogs have too many on the wait list, yet was not told IN ADVANCE of being told to do this that this might be the case. Would have never started the search and gotten hopes up again. Atlanta was only pushing large dogs when you are not allowed to have large dogs. Las Vegas was another shot, found two small dogs that had to be adopted together, we didn't need there as we already had our Cocker Spaniel, but were willing to do so. Then get there and cannot find them. Asked, oh we have to keep those in the back of large dogs would never get adopted. Really??? Then after seeing them, they would have been a great fit with our Cocker but they said, oh we have to have an meet and greet and at your place and see your lease. No thanks, I have yet to go through as much even checking into a hospital for myself. Then finally here, called on one dog I saw in the website and said oh yes that one might work. It is about 49 pounds which was over the allowed size in our neighborhood but then the agent said over the phone, oh he is much shorter and could probably pass for the requirements we are under. Well, got there and not short and stubby but tall and lanky. So went on and drove over and only to be talked down to like we were idiots. Another dog we found the volunteer was have no to show me how to walk a dog, seriously????? Have had dogs for 30 years or better. Then it was to the meet and greet with our dog and again we were treated like children. Then were told our dog was a little tubby so you need to stop giving treats. Well for her info, it is a do with fluffy hair so when he gets trimmed he is a slim dog and IS in his recommended weight category. Then it just kept deteriorating from that point and said finally, never mind we will pass.

So once again, we had to do our own thing and find a dog by another means. Will never ever waste our time again with one of these county services. I feel sorry for the dogs but people should be treated with dignity and having brains as well. Oh and was recommended to go to the SPCA in Largo to look at an Jack Russell terrier MIX, but said unfortunately the adoption fee was $700, I said what????? She said, oh they have lost their funding. So you think you can charge this kind of $ for a dog that you have no real idea of its background????? Sorry about the funding but I think that is an BIDENFLATION dog when it comes down to it. Will save the rest of this rant for the SPCA...

We saw a dog on their website. We rushed over to see him. Staff were super courteous, professional, and friendly. It was our very first time being at that animal shelter. Andrea greeted us, we got to meet the dog we came to see. A volunteer kindly helped us with the meet and greet. The facility was clean and seemed well equipped to help animals find home quickly. We decided to adopt the dog we came to see. The staff wisely suggested that we do foster-to-adopt process. They asked us to bring in our current dogs to do a meet and greet. We did. That went well. We were sent home with dog food and a crate. My husband and I were very impressed with the efficient manner this place was run. We were grateful to the greeter/receptionist/triage nurse role Andrea played that day. She made the wait outside (COVID precaution) tolerable. She was attentive to all who arrived, she was upbeat, positive, cheerful for hours we were there. I think all the people waiting outside appreciated her positive attitude and how attentive she was to each of our needs (nobody had to worry about being forgotten in line). Office staff (two young ladies, one seemed to be in training) who handled paper work were friendly, courteous, and professional as well. We were just so impressed with the whole experience. Well, there was one worker (office person) who loudly complained that he must take his break ASAP because he is diabetic and can't wait any longer. He was freaking out and embarrassed Andrea who brought us to him. I wasn't offended. I just think he could have handled it with more professionalism. Other than that one guy, every single person we met there were absolute pleasure to work with. We are grateful for the volunteers there. What you do there is priceless. Everything you do there help the animals get adopted faster. Thank you for all you do. Note- if you plan on adopting a dog, make sure your current pets are up to date on rabies and Pinellas county pet license. They will verify in their system. Tip- If you see an animal you are interested on their website, rush over to meet them ASAP. Don't bother filling out the application on their website. It is a first come first served place. Whoever shows up, meet the dog/cat in person, tell them you want to adopt, and ** GET THE PAPER WITH THAT ANIMALS' INFO (turns out this paper is THE GOLD) get the dog/cat. Get that info paper in...