Love, Exercise and A Home Top Pups To-Do List

This week's adoptable pet feature is a senior dog named Pandy.

This week's adoptable feature comes from Pasco County Animal Services Adoption Partners. Pandy, is a senior dog and was recently featured on the service's Saturday Senior spotlight. She is a 7 or 8 year old Blue Heeler in the Australian Cattledog family. The breed's characteristics include high energy, extremely intelligent and a tendency to love open spaces, according to American Kennel Club. Pandy has been overfed in her previous home, according to Pasco Animal Services, and is looking for a new workout partner. This playful girl wants to be the center of attention and would need to be the only pet in the home. Pasco County Animal Services is located at 19640 Dogpatch Ln. in Land O'Lakes. To inquire about an adoption e-mail …

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Construction Firms Donate Dog Runs to Animal Services

The critters at Pasco County Animal Services have an outdoor place to play thanks to Pepper Contracting and a few other local companies.

The dogs at Pasco County Animal Services are getting an upgrade in their digs courtesy of a team of construction companies that wanted to pitch in and help the county in its quest to improve conditions at the Land O’ Lakes shelter. Pepper Contracting, Elite Fence, Apac-Southeast and others joined forces to build five outdoor dog runs at the 19640 Dogpatch Lane shelter in early April. Terry Cradick of Pepper Contracting said the companies were inspired to help thanks to Commissioner Pat Mulieri’s efforts to improve Animal Services. “Pat’s commitment to her community and tireless energy inspires me and probably most of the people she encounters,” Cradick wrote in an email interview. “Her concern for the welfare of the animals and their being…

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Free Dogs, Cats in April at Animal Services

Pasco County wants to clean out its shelter as spring continues.

Potential pet owners on a budget might just be able to find a four-legged friend for free courtesy of Pasco County Animal Services. Throughout the month of April, Land O’ Lakes residents interested in pet ownership can stop by the 19640 Dogpatch Lane shelter during regular business hours to adopt a critter at no charge. The $10 county licensing fee for dogs, however, does apply. Why is the County Giving Dogs Away? Overcrowding has been an ongoing issue at Animal Services. As the county moves toward its goal of saving 90 percent of all creatures brought into the shelter, it’s taking extra measures to keep its shelter population down, a county media release said. “In order to avoid humane euthanasia and implement  a SAVE 90% Program, …

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Celebrate National Pet Day on Patch!

In recognition of National Pet Day, Land O' Lakes Patch is taking some time out to honor those special critters that often make our lives just a little more complete, but we need your help!

Whether they’re furry, feathered or just a little bit scaly, pets are awesome. That’s a point that a large percentage of Americans seem to agree upon. The Humane Society of the United States says there are about 78.2 million dogs owned in the United States. An estimated 86.4 million cats have homes to call their own. Collectively, Americans spent a whopping $53.33 billion on pet-related expenses in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. We’re on track to break that number in 2013 by more than $2 billion. The numbers speak volumes about just how much Americans love their pets. So does this interesting tidbit from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website: “In 2011, six-out-of-ten pet owners, or 63.2%, …

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Sherri Lonon

4:39 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013

The bunny picture is awesome, Tracey, and so are all the new photo additions! Land O' Lakes has officially made my day again!   more ›

Pasco Says ‘No’ to Feral Cats

The county’s animal shelter no longer accepts feral cats and strays.

Land O’ Lakes residents who are tired of hearing the mewing of feral cats in their neighborhoods at night can no longer round them up for a drop off at Pasco County Animal Services. As part of its Save 90% program, the county has decided to change the way it handles intakes. That program charges the county with saving 90 percent of the animals brought into its Land O’ Lakes shelter. Feral cats and strays, however, can make that goal difficult to obtain. That’s why the county has put the brakes on its old policy of accepting cats carte blanche. It’s also decided it will no longer accept cats – and dogs – that owners want to have euthanized. The county will, however, still accept owner-surrender cats, but only on a few specific days of the …

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Get Free Dogs, Cats at Animal Services Saturday

Pasco County is giving pets away during a one-day Spring Cleaning event April 6.

Land O’ Lakes residents who have been waiting for the right time to adopt a dog or a cat might find it doesn’t get better than this Saturday, April 6. That’s the day Pasco County Animal Services will host a “Spring Cleaning” event designed to reduce the number of cats and dogs housed at the 19640 Dogpatch Lane shelter in Land O' Lakes. From noon to 8 p.m., the shelter will open its doors to give away cats and dogs to new owners at no charge. The critters will even be spayed or neutered at no additional cost. Potential dog adoptees might have to pay a $10 county licensing fee, but that’s it, according to Judy Tate Gregory, spokeswoman for the agency. The county normally charges $70 for dog adoptions and $40 for cats. “In an effort to move …

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Pasco Animal Services Director Resigns

The county has named an acting director until a replacement can be found.

Pasco County Animal Services is on a mission to “Save 90” percent of the creatures that come through its doors. It’s going to have to do so, however, without the direction of John Malley. Malley, the agency’s director, resigned from his post this week as the agency continues to operate under scrutiny from elected officials and residents. Suzanne Salichs, assistant county administrator for public services, confirmed the resignation April 2. “Mr. Kevin Mallory, Animal Services Supervisor, is now in an acting manager capacity until the position has been advertised, interviews are held and the new manager starts,” Salichs wrote in an email. Malley’s performance at animal services has been brought into question by volunteers at the Land O’ …

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Volunteer Vets Sought for Animal Services

Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri says volunteers can make a difference in overcrowding at animal services.

Pasco Commissioner ‘Frustrated’ With Overcrowding at Animal Services

Commissioner Pat Mulieri is trying to raise awareness about the number of adoptable dogs and cats currently available at the Land O’ Lakes shelter as dogs are being doubled up in kennels to make room.

Pasco County Animal Services started 2013 with a flurry of activity promoting adoptions and working to achieve a goal of saving 90 percent of the creatures in its care from euthanasia. Free adoptions were sponsored by community leaders in January and February. Community outreach and special events were planned and promoted, and things were looking up as far as adoptions were concerned. Then March arrived. Now, the number of animals in the Land O’ Lakes shelter is on the rise, and available housing for cats and dogs especially is fast running out. ”They’re starting to double up in the cages,” said Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri. “We did very well in February — 125 adoptions. In March, the adoptions have been slower.” According to …

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