BRANDON, FL — The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center has been awarded custody of more than 300 dogs, one of the largest animal seizures in the county’s history.
The ruling comes after a yearlong court fight in which Hillsborough County alleged the dogs were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions as part of an animal-breeding business in Tampa. The court order provides custody of the dogs to Hillsborough County and enjoins the owner of the business from ever possessing dogs.
Monday morning, animal control officers began the process of bringing the dogs to the Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Road, where they will be assessed and undergo any needed medical treatment.
The large influx of dogs will create stresses at the Pet Resource Center, which was already over capacity. State law requires the dogs be kept at least 30 days in case of appeal, meaning none of the seized dogs can immediately be adopted by the public or sent to rescue groups. The dogs are mostly small breeds like Maltese, Shih Tzus, terriers and schnauzers.
To help make room, Pet Resource Center officials are appealing to the public to adopt dogs already at the shelter. All fees will be waived for dogs. In addition, the shelter will take in dogs from the public only for emergencies for at least the next few days.
The Pet Resource Center also is working with other animal shelters and rescue groups to help reduce the shelter’s current population of dogs. Shelter managers anticipate a need for dog toys and blankets and would welcome donations of those items from this list. Monetary donations may be made through the Hillsborough County Pet Resources Foundation Inc. Please designate the donation for the aid of the more than 300 dogs.
The Pet Resource Center is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dogs and cats can be viewed online but must be adopted in person at the shelter.
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